Please Share: What Does Your Vet Do During Exam?

WannaBeAParrot · Sep 27, 2012

When you bring your conure in for his/her annual or semi-annual physical exam, what does your vet do? I was reading a thread today about 60 year old discovered to have have glaucoma and cataracts, and that had a full exam under anesthesia to check for diabetes etc.

Doe your avian vet do an eye exam with regular check-ups?
What does he/she do?

I think it would be good to share this information in case any of us should be asking for something that is being missed regularly. Thanks.
:green1:

Mayden · Sep 27, 2012

My vet checks Merlin over like this:

- Heart and lungs with the stethoscope.
- Pulls out his wings to check for any problems there.
- Has a good burrow through Merlin's feathers to see if there's any obvious skin problems.
- Checks muscles/breast bone. (Thanks ruffledfeathers, forgot about that

)
- Inspects his feet for any skin problems/blisters from perching etc. and to see if he needs a nail trim (which is how often/why we visit the vets!)
- Checks Merlin's joints in his legs (especially with his splayed leg etc).
- Checks his weight.

I have yet to see him check his eyes other than for a look to see if they're "bright and alert" but he may do things a little more when he's in the back trimming his nails etc.

We take Merlin to the vets every 3 months or so, depending on how his claws have grown and he gets a thorough inspection each time. Costs us a small fortune with him being a specialist and all, but prevention + early detection are key for birdy health

ruffledfeathers · Sep 27, 2012

I wonder if it is dependent on age and condition of the bird? I have to confess that Georgie did not go annually but she did go for her physicals. I think primarily he checked weight, droppings, muscle tone/feeling the breast area, did a visual on her and then the bloodwork. He always figured a lot of things are evident in bloodwork. However she was a young bird, and in good health so she didn't need anything major. (He also is the one who bred her, she lived with him for her first 6 and a half months and i used to bring her to visit him sometimes even when stopping for food or toys-i think he felt he knew her well).

KatherineI · Sep 27, 2012

Similar to Mayden;

-Checks heart and lungs with a stethascope
-checks wings and feet
-checks breastbone, crop and muscles
-looks inside birdies mouth with a light and something to move the tongue out of the way and keep the beak open
-checks weight
-looks into their eyes with the same light used to look down their beak
-looks into their nares as much as they can be looked into
-checks fecal if at all possible, or that can be brought back later if you weren't able to bring a fresh sample.

Sometimes she does bloodwork, which usually just requires her to clip a toenail back further.

Anesthesia is only to be used when absolutely, positively necessary and then for as short a time as possible. It's very very dangerous.

Riio · Sep 27, 2012

KatherineI said:
Similar to Mayden;

-Checks heart and lungs with a stethascope
-checks wings and feet
-checks breastbone, crop and muscles
-looks inside birdies mouth with a light and something to move the tongue out of the way and keep the beak open
-checks weight
-looks into their eyes with the same light used to look down their beak
-looks into their nares as much as they can be looked into
-checks fecal if at all possible, or that can be brought back later if you weren't able to bring a fresh sample.

Sometimes she does bloodwork, which usually just requires her to clip a toenail back further.
Anesthesia is only to be used when absolutely, positively necessary and then for as short a time as possible. It's very very dangerous.

I see that your from Seattle, we will be moving to Whidbey Island Jan 1st. Anywhoo, do you like your vet? Is he/she an avian vet? I havent looked to see if there is an avian vet close to the island, but if I dont find one, may I get your vets info please? Thanks!

KatherineI · Sep 27, 2012

Riio said:
KatherineI said:

Similar to Mayden;

-Checks heart and lungs with a stethascope
-checks wings and feet
-checks breastbone, crop and muscles
-looks inside birdies mouth with a light and something to move the tongue out of the way and keep the beak open
-checks weight
-looks into their eyes with the same light used to look down their beak
-looks into their nares as much as they can be looked into
-checks fecal if at all possible, or that can be brought back later if you weren't able to bring a fresh sample.

Sometimes she does bloodwork, which usually just requires her to clip a toenail back further.
Anesthesia is only to be used when absolutely, positively necessary and then for as short a time as possible. It's very very dangerous.

Click to expand...

I see that your from Seattle, we will be moving to Whidbey Island Jan 1st. Anywhoo, do you like your vet? Is he/she an avian vet? I havent looked to see if there is an avian vet close to the island, but if I dont find one, may I get your vets info please? Thanks!

Sure! I'll PM you. I have at least one recommendation that is slightly closer to Whidbey than Seattle, though not by much. I don't think there's any Avian Vets up at Whidbey, unfortunately

MonicaMc · Sep 27, 2012

Pretty much everything that Katherine said. Fecal and blood work are all extra. My birds are not put under anesthesia and blood is taken from the neck region, so there is no need to close up a wound. Done right, the area where the needle was put into the skin will close up "naturally" because of how their necks are, which effectively closes the spot and there is no blood.

Usually, the vet tech will be holding my bird in a towel while the a-vet does the examination. If they have any concerns about the eyes, then they'll turn off the light in the room and use a lamp with a magnifier to take a closer look.

Almost everything is done in front of me so I know what they are doing and I can monitor how stressful it is on my birds. They ask me if it's ok to do blood in front of me, since some owners will faint at the site of blood, and if so, they'll take the bird in the back. Doesn't bother me!

Heck, when I took my dog in to get his eyes checked out (he damaged one somehow), I got to watch them clean his eyes, put a special liquid in his eyes, do a light rinse, then use a special light to check his eyes for damage. His eyes glowed green! Took two different medications to heal his eye (he didn't like them... one was goop and the other liquid... one worked better than the other). Another time, I got to watch them express his anal glands (eeewwwww!!!!), which I only needed to see once.

KatherineI · Sep 27, 2012

MonicaMc said:
Pretty much everything that Katherine said. Fecal and blood work are all extra. My birds are not put under anesthesia and blood is taken from the neck region, so there is no need to close up a wound. Done right, the area where the needle was put into the skin will close up "naturally" because of how their necks are, which effectively closes the spot and there is no blood.

Usually, the vet tech will be holding my bird in a towel while the a-vet does the examination. If they have any concerns about the eyes, then they'll turn off the light in the room and use a lamp with a magnifier to take a closer look.

Almost everything is done in front of me so I know what they are doing and I can monitor how stressful it is on my birds. They ask me if it's ok to do blood in front of me, since some owners will faint at the site of blood, and if so, they'll take the bird in the back. Doesn't bother me!

Heck, when I took my dog in to get his eyes checked out (he damaged one somehow), I got to watch them clean his eyes, put a special liquid in his eyes, do a light rinse, then use a special light to check his eyes for damage. His eyes glowed green! Took two different medications to heal his eye (he didn't like them... one was goop and the other liquid... one worked better than the other). Another time, I got to watch them express his anal glands (eeewwwww!!!!), which I only needed to see once.

My AV also does everything right in front of me - including the insertion of Sugar's Microchip. They've never taken my birds into the back and my AV is very quick to stop a procedure or exam to give the Fid time to calm down if she thinks they're being stressed. I've seen my vet Coo and coddle both of my birds, lol. Neither of my guys needed anything extra done with their eyes, so I've never seen what Monica described.

I don't like that my dog vet takes my dog in the back to do "things" to her. I have no reason to fear my dog biting me or anything and would rather they did all the procedures right there in front of me. It's one of the reasons I have not taken my dog to the vet in a while (she's current on vaccines), because most of the dog/cat vets in the area aren't very good. I've been very disappointed

I'm hoping after the move (if that ever freaking happens!) I can find an incredible vet like I had when we lived in NY.

thermodynamic · Sep 27, 2012

Pretty much what others said, in terms of procedures done.

I can add that my vet sees birds that remember what he does.

There's a macaw that has to get medication through the nostrils (cere) -- the macaw hates this and is not happy when he sees the evil dude in the white coat...

The vet I use does everything in another room, so the bird cannot see me. The vet wants only himself to be seen as the evil one, to lower any perceived risk of the bird associating its owner as being evil as well.

MaraWentz · Sep 27, 2012

I have yet to used a vert for eRin, she will be going when I work up the courage to take her, but as stated anesthesia, should not be used unless absolutely needed. My old vet put Elvis under anesthesia for blood work, which I didn't find out after his murder was unnecessary. Needless to say, if giving a bird shots, or taking viles of blood doesn't require anesthesia, a regular check up should not.

MonicaMc · Sep 27, 2012

KatherineI said:
I don't like that my dog vet takes my dog in the back to do "things" to her. I have no reason to fear my dog biting me or anything and would rather they did all the procedures right there in front of me. It's one of the reasons I have not taken my dog to the vet in a while (she's current on vaccines), because most of the dog/cat vets in the area aren't very good. I've been very disappointed I'm hoping after the move (if that ever freaking happens!) I can find an incredible vet like I had when we lived in NY.

This is why my a-vet is also the one who looks at my dog! He saw another vet at the clinic (not an a-vet, just general dog/cat vet), and I wasn't too pleased with the experience. MY a-vet is also willing to admit that she doesn't know everything, and if I have any questions that neither one of us knows the answer to, she's willing to do the research!

Down side, she doesn't take "walk ins" unless it is an emergency, and she works Modnays and Thursday through Saturdays. My old vet (not a-vet but works with birds) does take walk-ins, but I was not pleased with the overall treatment by the clinic itself (not that they were bad, but they could have been far better!) and that the old vet also misdiagnosed one of my birds. He recommended the right "supplement" (an old remedy used for the Omega 3's and 6's) but told me the wrong information. Another bird, if he was diagnosed (rather than observed), his life probably could have been saved.

So I definitely know how it helps to have a vet you feel comfortable with!

MollyGreenCheeks · Sep 27, 2012

KatherineI said:
Similar to Mayden;

-Checks heart and lungs with a stethascope
-checks wings and feet
-checks breastbone, crop and muscles
-looks inside birdies mouth with a light and something to move the tongue out of the way and keep the beak open
-checks weight
-looks into their eyes with the same light used to look down their beak
-looks into their nares as much as they can be looked into
-checks fecal if at all possible, or that can be brought back later if you weren't able to bring a fresh sample.

Sometimes she does bloodwork, which usually just requires her to clip a toenail back further.

Anesthesia is only to be used when absolutely, positively necessary and then for as short a time as possible. It's very very dangerous.

My vet did the same as Katherine's. In addition:
- When inspecting the mouth, tongue, the vet would take a "Q-tip" type thing and get a sample from within the mouth to check for bacteria.
- inspect the ears.
- Take a poop sample.
- Take a blood sample.
- Inspect vent area to ensure no presence of wetness.

All of the examination is done in the exam room while I am present.

Mayden · Sep 27, 2012

I feel like I'm kinda being nudged at how having Merlin taken from me isn't nice or something so I'll just clear up.

Merlin is only taken from me for a nail trim (and that's not always) because the vet doesn't want me to be associated with all the restraint and whatnot with Merlin when Merlin is already being naughty for me - as I discussed with the vet. Any other time I'm there to assist in the trimming and everything is done in the same room.

Microchipping was done by a different vet and Merlin was taken away for that as he was put under general anaesthetic (because of his size it's difficult).

Because I take Merlin to the vet so frequently, we do not do blood work and faecal samples etc as it's just far too expensive to constantly be told he is perfectly fine. The vet has a look at his poop and we discuss if it's normal etc.

My vet is one of the VERY few in England, just 3 I think? and he is absolutely brilliant.

WannaBeAParrot · Sep 27, 2012

Mayden said:
-----------------
Merlin is only taken from me for a nail trim (and that's not always) because the vet doesn't want me to be associated with all the restraint and whatnot with Merlin when Merlin is already being naughty for me - as I discussed with the vet. Any other time I'm there to assist in the trimming and everything is done in the same room.

Microchipping was done by a different vet and Merlin was taken away for that as he was put under general anaesthetic (because of his size it's difficult).
------------------
My vet is one of the VERY few in England, just 3 I think? and he is absolutely brilliant.

I'm half and half about the nail trimming - I mean, I think it's up to the parront if they feel like they want to be there during grooming restraint, etc. Parronts will usually know what's best for their bird in that sort of situation - if you have a bird that gets horribly frightened and traumatized by strangers in this situation, then mom/dad might think it's best to be there. But if they know the bird gets pissed and resentful if they "allow" it, then another choice might be right. I just think it shold be your choice after the vet or staff give their input and reasons.

Regarding the one of 3 vets in England - does that refer to avian only vets?

Akraya · Sep 28, 2012

Mine are the same as the first couple of posts, as well as a poop smear and she also does swabs of their throats to check for any bacterial infections (guessing there) like a big cotton tip down the throat, looks uncomfortable?
Blood work is extra and expensive.

Mayden · Sep 28, 2012

WannaBeAParrot said:
Mayden said:

-----------------
Merlin is only taken from me for a nail trim (and that's not always) because the vet doesn't want me to be associated with all the restraint and whatnot with Merlin when Merlin is already being naughty for me - as I discussed with the vet. Any other time I'm there to assist in the trimming and everything is done in the same room.

Microchipping was done by a different vet and Merlin was taken away for that as he was put under general anaesthetic (because of his size it's difficult).
------------------
My vet is one of the VERY few in England, just 3 I think? and he is absolutely brilliant.

Click to expand...

I'm half and half about the nail trimming - I mean, I think it's up to the parront if they feel like they want to be there during grooming restraint, etc. Parronts will usually know what's best for their bird in that sort of situation - if you have a bird that gets horribly frightened and traumatized by strangers in this situation, then mom/dad might think it's best to be there. But if they know the bird gets pissed and resentful if they "allow" it, then another choice might be right. I just think it shold be your choice after the vet or staff give their input and reasons.

Regarding the one of 3 vets in England - does that refer to avian only vets?

I've just double checked and it's around 6 in the entire UK. Yes they're Avian Vet's. Some of these may also treat exotics. But my vet's practice is Avian only. Because they're so rare, vet visits cost a bomb. But it's worth it. I'm so glad we're as close as we are to our vet as the rest as around southern england.

http://www.aav.org/search/

Here is the list of avian vets.

WannaBeAParrot · Sep 30, 2012

RE: "I've just double checked and it's around 6 in the entire UK."

Wow. I didn't realize. I feel so lucky to have one super amazing a-vet within 15 miles from my home, and an experienced, capable a-vet less than 10 miles in the other direction.

It's good to hear you have one nearby and that you are pleased with him/her.

Featheredsamurai · Sep 30, 2012

KatherineI said:
Similar to Mayden;

-Checks heart and lungs with a stethascope
-checks wings and feet
-checks breastbone, crop and muscles
-looks inside birdies mouth with a light and something to move the tongue out of the way and keep the beak open
-checks weight
-looks into their eyes with the same light used to look down their beak
-looks into their nares as much as they can be looked into
-checks fecal if at all possible, or that can be brought back later if you weren't able to bring a fresh sample.

Sometimes she does bloodwork, which usually just requires her to clip a toenail back further.

Anesthesia is only to be used when absolutely, positively necessary and then for as short a time as possible. It's very very dangerous.

D: Why would she clip the toenail to make it bleed! That's painful! My vet does all the same things, a basic health check up, she also runs a test with the droppings(I think it's called a gram test or something). For the bloodwork my vet takes it from the vein on her leg and Rosie doesn't act like sh even notices it.

I love my avian vet(called For The Birds in San Jose CA), she loves birds and treats the birds from the local parrot rescue. She's also a bird only vet and isn't afraid to tell you what she thinks of the care you give your bird. Some people have left because of that, but I figure it shows she cares about the birds the most.

MonicaMc · Oct 2, 2012

I find it interesting in which ways a-vets draw blood.

Blood vein from the neck
Blood vein from the leg
Inserting needle right above toenail (sounds painful!)
Clipping nail rather short

I've only seen blood drawn from the neck (for testing purposes), and with a bent needle (to make inserting it easier), which required no styptic powder or anything for the entry site of the needle.

Might make for an interesting topic in another thread?

Please Share: What Does Your Vet Do During Exam?

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