Skitty's vet appt.

Hello!

So Skittles is going for his annual vet check-up this Saturday. He's going to have the usual exam, gram stain and a likely nail clipping. I'm considering having blood work done as a preventative measure since the last (and only) other time is was done was five years ago at his first vet appt right after I got him. This new blood work would give a better idea of how his health is with me. I don't like the idea of him having to have blood drawn, but I don't have much choice if I want the test done.

But what I'm torn on is the x-ray. On one hand, I want to have the x-ray to rule out a number of things (enlarged organs, ingested materials) but the x-rays are not cheap and I also worry about the exposure and stress. Skittles is a major chewer, but I also see the most of what he chews (if not all) is discarded. He doesn't swallow it (that I can see). I'm torn because he looks and acts VERY healthy and while I want to do everything I can to keep him that way, I also don't want to spend money on unnecessary tests and expose him to unnecessary stress.

What are your thoughts? Should I just go ahead and get the xray done? I'm gonna see what the vet says, too - but I'm just curious what others would do in my situation.

Just a wellness check up? No x rays should be involved. Blood tests, sure. But I'd would be very surprised if a vet acquiesces to performing x ray scans without cause. its usually something done when there's need, to diagnose an existing issue. Not somerhing done just because you want to. It's not part of preventative medicine.

I'd stick with the blood tests, weighing, and physical exam. That's all you really need.

I have always believed in a CBC and gram stain based on a 5/4 time line. That is every 15 months with a health parrot. This allows, over time, a look at possible different chem levels driven by different times of the year. Also, with time, you have developed a history of your parrot. That way when (not if) you are running to your Avian Vet will a very sick parrot, you have a solid history to quickly determine what is or is not normal.

Since, my Amazon's are seniors and commonly ill, I use a 3/4 time line. That way, I can more quickly develop a medical history. FYI: Based on our Amazon's we have always visited our Avian Vet quarterly.

For me, an X-ray is a not part of developing a medical history of one's parrot. If there is a medical need, driven by specific problem(s), then I would X-ray. As with Humans, there is a want to limit exposure with a long lived Parrot.

'Boats , amazons = quarterly visits? Why????

We rehome a very select group of Senior Amazons. In nearly all cases, we are their last chance. We pick-up the Amazon and drive directly to the Vet's office or pick them-up at the Vets office and get a full screening and a determination of where we are health wise.

Julio (DYHA - 18) is the youngest Amazon we have ever been owned by. He has his health issues, but they can be managed. However, we are staying with our standard plan to quickly put together a medical history on him.

Sorry, never said why: Our goal is to stay one very small step ahead of an existing illness becoming worst or something new presenting.

When I asked the vet (via email) their thoughts, about blood tests and xrays, they didn't seem to keen on the xrays, but said having a blood test done since its been five years is not a bad idea.

I'm just overprotective, I guess. Skittles is all I have now, so I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can.

I'm inquiring about moving to a different apartment where there is sunlight on all four sides of the apartment. Where I'm at now, I don't get hardly any sun at all in the living room. So the new apartment would give Skittles much more light.

While I think x-rays are a great way of diagnosing problems, and save on a lot of other tests and guesswork, IMO they should be used if you suspect something is wrong, but not just for a routine wellness check. Good luck at the doctor's Skitty!

I guess what I'm going to do is leave it up to the vets recommendation. If he suspects that Skittles may have ingested something or is concerned about something, then we'll go from there. I just know that Skittles is a MAJOR chewer and that is my concern there. Especially chewing up fabrics, which seems to be common in suns.

I've read stories of parrots having necropsy's done only to find undigested foreign materials such as fabrics.

Luckily, Skittles is unphased by vet trips - he actually likes to 'travel' and he's used to being held, coddled and wrapped in blankets so he's easy to examine.

Skittys_Daddy said:

When I asked the vet (via email) their thoughts, about blood tests and xrays, they didn't seem to keen on the xrays, but said having a blood test done since its been five years is not a bad idea.

I'm just overprotective, I guess. Skittles is all I have now, so I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can.

I'm inquiring about moving to a different apartment where there is sunlight on all four sides of the apartment. Where I'm at now, I don't get hardly any sun at all in the living room. So the new apartment would give Skittles much more light.

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Well I guess Amy would be considered a "senior" at almost 27 yrs old??
She has never had an x-ray,and ok <my bad > has only had blood work done twice..when I first got her at 14 weeks old,and just a few months back at the suggestion of her doctor at her annual wellness check,where sice they were gonna do blood work anywho I had her dna'd,and found out SHE is a HE
Anyway,Amy has always been in top condition,has never been "sick", she did require five stitches in her tongue many years back when my grey bit it!

Personally, I wouldn't go for the x-ray,unless there was something drastic going on with Skittles..just MHO.


Jim

Skittys_Daddy said:

I guess what I'm going to do is leave it up to the vets recommendation. If he suspects that Skittles may have ingested something or is concerned about something, then we'll go from there. I just know that Skittles is a MAJOR chewer and that is my concern there. Especially chewing up fabrics, which seems to be common in suns.

I've read stories of parrots having necropsy's done only to find undigested foreign materials such as fabrics.

Luckily, Skittles is unphased by vet trips - he actually likes to 'travel' and he's used to being held, coddled and wrapped in blankets so he's easy to examine.

Click to expand...

I agree with the previous opinions, and well understand your concerns. Have you used this vet frequently and feel comfortable with his/her judgment? At a minimum I'd suggest reviewing the lab tests before considering an X-Ray unless Skittles has suspicious symptoms of ingestion. Anesthesia is typically necessary for imaging, with inherent risks. I believe Sevoflurane is the the anesthetic of choice for avians.

With my following of Amy, I would guess that Amy (health-wise) at the very least is just kicking into mid-age, at most.

We had a 30 year old YNA (Oliver) that was suffering / battling fatty liver and congestive heart failure. He was way to sick for a 30 year old. We were Vet visiting him once a month. That guy was really sick, but what a lover.

Scott,

I'm not aware of them using anesthesia for xrays at my particular vet, but I will say this - if that is required for an xray then its a no-go for me. I won't subject Skittles to that unless he was having surgery or it was ABSOLUTELY necessary in order to perform a necessary procedure.

I have used this vet since 2006. Its a husband and wife who run it and both are well trained in dealing with avians and also own several. They also go to bird seminars and workshops and are very well educated. Skittles has been seen by both, as was Peaches when I had her. But only the husband works on Saturdays so Skittles will be seeing him from now on.

I do trust their judgment. In fact it was that very doctor who informed me of the Harrisons back in 2006. But I still like to get other peoples opinions cause you never know what other people might think and the more you know the better. Just like NBC says in their promo. haha.

I have never had a vet perform an X-Ray without anesthesia because the slightest of movement will render it far less legible. But do ask as procedures may vary!

I can't imagine they would do anesthesia without my consent, but I will ask.

Well I won't be taking Skittles to the vet on Saturday. My ride cancelled. Despite the fact that she knew over a week ago she wasn't going to be able to do it, she waits til now to tell me. I'm not too happy about that.

It will cost about $200 round trip to take a taxi and about $120-$150 if I use Uber. Since I don't carry that much cash on me and I can't get access to that much on such short notice, I had to cancel. A friend of mine asked her sister if she could do it and her sister was willing to do it but her car isn't registered. Hopefully, once she gets it registered she'll still be willing to do it. I told my friend that I'd be willing to pay her registration if its going to be a while.

Needless to say, I'm gonna find a way to get there sometime this summer. I joked with vet about Skittles and told her "the little stinker is lucky I love him so much, cause most people wouldn't go to such lengths for their pets". Especially when they live on disability like I do. But there is NOTHING I would not do for Skittles. He is my world and I will find a way to get him to the vet this summer. I have several options to look into. Most are not cheap, but it is what it is and I'll deal.

Living alone, rarely having company and being home 95% of the time makes having a sun conure an ideal pet, even in an apartment like I live in. Skittles will go hours without screeching. As long as he's with me or I'm in sight, he's quiet. Of course dealing with his new 'hiding in daddys tshirt' addiction does wear on me. lol

Where is your vet located? Maine is a tough area to get around if you don't have a car or a ride that's for sure. Moms in Belgrade and I grew up in that area went to messalonskee hs.

Hopefully one of your friends comes through and has a chance to give you a ride soon.

I'm in Lewiston and the vet is in South Gorham so its about 40 minutes away. There are two other avian vets in Maine that I know of but both are even further away. One is in Yarmouth and the other is in Bangor.