How to spray a Tag's feet?

LeeC

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Jun 5, 2019
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Harrisburg, PA
Parrots
Timneh: Grady;
Senegal: Charlie;
Sun Conure: Peaches (deceased)
Senegal: Georgia
Peach-fronted Conure: Milton (foster)
Brown-throated Conure: Pumpkin (foster)
Senegal: Fletcher
Senegal: Ivy
Greetings. I need to spray Grady's feet, ideally both, top and bottom. Of course, I prefer to avoid overspray getting his body or face. He is smart and quick. :]

I am trying to spray his feet with Banda-Sil Silver Liquid Gel Spray. It is the same as SlivaPlex, but at half the cost on Amazon.

I have the 1-ounce pump sprayer. I am trying to desensitize Grady to it, by showing it to him numerous times throughout the day, and letting him nibble at it while I hold it, all without spraying him.

He loves my mister (just distilled water)--loves it. He runs toward it, leans left, right, forward, and flaps his wings a bit.

I thought spraying his feet with this product would be easier than applying gel by hand, but it is proving difficult. Any ideas?


EDIT: I'd swear I capitalized TAG in the title.
 
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AmyMyBlueFront

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Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
What/why are you trying to spray his feeties? What is the stuff for ( sorry was lazy to look it up lol) just curious.


Jim
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
It has topical anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties---it is common is pet wound-care products, but it does contain microscopic particles of silver which should not be ingested by a bird, as they can remain in the body tissue.
 

Kiwibird

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For what purpose are you spraying his feet? Regular baths with plain water from either the shower, spray bottle or in a dish (however your bird prefers) will keep a parrot clean from head to toe. If he gets poop on his foot, just rinse it off under warm (baby bath temp) running water. No biggie. If he gets a wound, I’ve always use hydrogen peroxide (poured directly on the wound, not sprayed), let it bubble up then rinse under cold water again because it will not leave any toxic residues behind like other wound care products. Quick stop can be used for nails cut past the quick or if a wound is bleeding profusely, followed by sterilizing with HP. If he has a wound that isn’t healing or appears infected or is very deep/puncture wound, contact an avian vet ASAP and do not attempt to treat on your own at home. If he has some other foot problem, contact an avian vet.

Do not spray your bird with anything but clean water from a clean bottle unless specifically directed to do so by an avian vet.
 

SailBoat

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Fully agree with the above. Whatever you put on your Parrots claws will be in their beak shortly after.


What is it:
SilvaPlex® was created for the topical treatment of cuts, abrasions, lacerations and minor burns. Available both as a gel or spray, SilvaPlex® promotes faster healing than the leading brands. The naturally derived, non-toxic formula is free of odor, alcohol and Triclosan. Upon application, SilvaPlex® forms a barrier against germs while soothing inflamed skin on burns and reducing bleeding on cuts and abrasions.


If you have any of the problems listed above and have not involved your Avian Professional, you should. I would not recommend this product for 'general use.'
 
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noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
There are some people who add it to their bird's water etc, but since concentrations can vary widely among companies and since there isn't a ton of research on the impacts w/ regard to long-living birds, I would only use it with the approval of a certified avian vet.
In small quantities, it could be safe, but again, it is not a very regulated industry and since silver is a heavy metal, it makes me nervous.
Also: "Most of the silver produced today is a byproduct of mining copper, lead, and zinc. The silver occurs within the ores of these metals in one of two ways: 1) substituting for one of the metal ions within the ore mineral's atomic structure; or, 2) occurring as an inclusion of native silver or a silver mineral within the ore mineral."
https://geology.com/minerals/silver.shtml
Copper, lead and zinc are all highly toxic to birds, so that is why I pasted that quote from the link.
 
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Kiwibird

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There are some people who add it to their bird's water etc, but since concentrations can vary widely among companies and since there isn't a ton of research on the impacts w/ regard to long-living birds, I would only use it with the approval of a certified avian vet.
In small quantities, it could be safe, but again, it is not a very regulated industry and since silver is a heavy metal, it makes me nervous.
Also: "Most of the silver produced today is a byproduct of mining copper, lead, and zinc. The silver occurs within the ores of these metals in one of two ways: 1) substituting for one of the metal ions within the ore mineral's atomic structure; or, 2) occurring as an inclusion of native silver or a silver mineral within the ore mineral."
https://geology.com/minerals/silver.shtml
Copper, lead and zinc are all highly toxic to birds, so that is why I pasted that quote from the link.

Im a bit rusty after 6 years out of the industry, but I actually have a professional understanding of metallurgy as well as metal mining processes. Just because several metals are present in the raw ore does not mean they aren’t separated later. In the context of silver suspensions in these kind of “health” products, they would be using fine silver aka .999 (99.9% pure) for the suspension. It would not be contaminated with or alloyed with other metals of concern, even if they were present together during the mining process. Refining (purifying) the ore after mining separates metals into their pure form and they would not contain other metals unless alloyed for a specific reason (such as for durability, for example to make jewelry where you would want sterling silver, aka .925 (92.5% pure, deliberately alloyed with other metals in their pure form in specific ratios). You likely have a higher chance of contamination by metals of concern in the wrought iron in your birds cage than a pure silver suspension.

That all said, whether or not silver is safe for parrots is a whole other debate. I also can’t speak as to these specific products and if they contain other ingredients. I will say, I use colloidal silver on occasion myself and have never had side effects. When used in moderation, in humans, it is perfectly safe and will not build up in the tissues. Extreme overuse has given silver suspension products a dangerous reputation, even though there is no evidence (in humans) that the most notable side effect of extreme over use, blue/black skin discoloration, is in any way harmful. Since the bodily tissues have become so saturated with silver particles in these individuals, what is actually occurring is simply the person is literally tarnishing (like what had to be cleaned off grandmas silverware).

To be clear, I absolutely do NOT recommend a birds feet or any other body part be sprayed with these, or any other product, unless instructed to do so by an avian vet.
 
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AmyMyBlueFront

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Apr 14, 2015
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Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
Fully agree with the above. Whatever you put on your Parrots claws will be in their beak shortly after.


What is it:
SilvaPlex® was created for the topical treatment of cuts, abrasions, lacerations and minor burns. Available both as a gel or spray, SilvaPlex® promotes faster healing than the leading brands. The naturally derived, non-toxic formula is free of odor, alcohol and Triclosan. Upon application, SilvaPlex® forms a barrier against germs while soothing inflamed skin on burns and reducing bleeding on cuts and abrasions.


If you have any of the problems listed above and have not involved your Avian Professional, you should. I would not recommend this product for 'general use.'

TYVM for the info 'Boats!! :)

Jim
 
OP
LeeC

LeeC

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Jun 5, 2019
343
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Harrisburg, PA
Parrots
Timneh: Grady;
Senegal: Charlie;
Sun Conure: Peaches (deceased)
Senegal: Georgia
Peach-fronted Conure: Milton (foster)
Brown-throated Conure: Pumpkin (foster)
Senegal: Fletcher
Senegal: Ivy
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  • #9
It has topical anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties---it is common is pet wound-care products, but it does contain microscopic particles of silver which should not be ingested by a bird, as they can remain in the body tissue.


Like I said, I am spraying his foot, not his trachea. :03:
 
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LeeC

LeeC

Well-known member
Jun 5, 2019
343
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Harrisburg, PA
Parrots
Timneh: Grady;
Senegal: Charlie;
Sun Conure: Peaches (deceased)
Senegal: Georgia
Peach-fronted Conure: Milton (foster)
Brown-throated Conure: Pumpkin (foster)
Senegal: Fletcher
Senegal: Ivy
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  • Thread starter
  • #10
Do not spray your bird with anything but clean water from a clean bottle unless specifically directed to do so by an avian vet.


Apparently people on this forum have access to amazing avian vets. I have taken my TAG to two, twice each, and got no real help. Both were fine with the Banda-Sil in addition to their recommendations.
 
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LeeC

LeeC

Well-known member
Jun 5, 2019
343
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397
Harrisburg, PA
Parrots
Timneh: Grady;
Senegal: Charlie;
Sun Conure: Peaches (deceased)
Senegal: Georgia
Peach-fronted Conure: Milton (foster)
Brown-throated Conure: Pumpkin (foster)
Senegal: Fletcher
Senegal: Ivy
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  • Thread starter
  • #11
I appreciate the interest in my use of Banda-Sil and the replies. How do I get in on the commission for recommending avian vets on here? :09: It's very popular. I must say, after four vet visits, over 10 hours of driving to and fro, much stress for the TAG, and $1,000 later, Grady's foot looks the same, worse actually from the cytology sampling. Avian vets.



But, back to the original question, which nobody has even attempted to answer: How to spray a TAG's feet? :)
 

SailBoat

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Hmmm, two Certified Avian Vets have examined your TAG, i.e. Hands and Eyes on your Parrot. They at the very least have seen your TAG's feet, and each have provided a Professional Evaluation.

I have not and as a result, have no understanding (not even what CAV's evaluation was) of what and why you are attempting to spray this specific product on your Parrot's feet.
What was the evaluation of the two CAV?
Was this product recommended by one or both?

FYI: That's right, we get fifty percent of the change total.
 
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LeeC

LeeC

Well-known member
Jun 5, 2019
343
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3
397
Harrisburg, PA
Parrots
Timneh: Grady;
Senegal: Charlie;
Sun Conure: Peaches (deceased)
Senegal: Georgia
Peach-fronted Conure: Milton (foster)
Brown-throated Conure: Pumpkin (foster)
Senegal: Fletcher
Senegal: Ivy
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #13
I have not and as a result, have no understanding (not even what CAV's evaluation was) of what and why you are attempting to spray this specific product on your Parrot's feet.


Why did you reply to my post then? I never asked, "Do you think I should...?", which is the only question you care to answer. There is more poison in tap water than anything I give my birds. Do you scold people for using tap water? What are you certified in?
 

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