I found a ride for Skitty to get to the vet!

So I've been trying to find a ride to get Skittles to the vet since my original ride cancelled at the last minute.

I saw my psych provider this week. I told her about how my anxiety and stress level has gone through the roof since then. She told me, no wonder I've been having so many issues. Now I'm hoping I can get back on my sleep schedule, though I probably won't be able to completely until after the vet appt. The great thing about my obsession with birds is that people who know me, know without question how deep my love and commitment is for them. They know how worried I get and how much I need them in my life.

So anyways, a friend of mine whose sister was gonna do it when she got a sticker for her car (even though she is still driving it), but her sister is a smoker. But beggars can't be choosers. Anyways, my friend has known how stressed out I get around "vet time" and has seen what effect this 'unknown' has had on me and she found me a 'for sure' ride. A friend of hers is going to do it. My friend says that friend is very reliable and is also on disability so she can use the money and I feel good being able to help her. I REALLY did not want to have to spend $200 to take a taxi to the vet. Only way I'd have been able to do that is if I did a cash advance on one of my credit cards, which I really don't' want to do given the APR.

So anyways (again, haha), I offered $75 (plus tolls) for a ride (which even my friend says is very generous) and her friend is going to do it. I just have to schedule the appt. I am SOOOOOOO happy now!

I am going to get him a blood test and make sure the exam is thorough (though is usually is) since this is an avian vet.

I am just beside myself with joy that I can take my baby to the doctors to make sure he has no boo-boos!

So, wish us luck!

That is awesome you found s reliable ride! Sound like it was so stressful before that! What a relief for you! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

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I'm so happy to hear this news, Jonathan. I know the ride dilemma was understandably causing you a lot of stress. I hope Skitty's vet visit proves Skitty is as healthy as he appears, it will be a great relief I'm sure. Wishing you and Skitty the best.

Best of luck with the vet!!!! Even though Skittles looks a completely happy and healthy bird - who is much loved - going to the vet is a stressful experience. JellyBean is going next Thursday... I am dreading it! When the vet clips his nails, just a tiny bit, he screeches "JellyBean" over and over again at the top of his baby lungs!!The faces on the other people in the waiting room is priceless!!!! The vet is so careful with him.. but I know the experience traumatises him.. we have to travel 2.5 hours to the vet.. it is a tiring day!!

Glad to see you and Skitty are still doing ok bro. My youngin has been thru hell and on his way back. Hope all is well at the Vet.

So glad to hear that you and Skitty have found a ride.

I belong to a Yorkie Forum where it is fairly common for people often reach out and help other forum family members in crisis, so I looked at your address. Sadly, you are to many miles away for me to offer help.

No kidding, I'd give you a ride too, but Maine is a bit far for a drive up n back.
But if anyone on the Island or NYC area needs a ride for a vet visit, let me know, I'd be happy to help out.

Well, Skitty goes to the vet today! His appt is at 3p and we are leaving in about an hour. I'm all nervous (as I usually am) but I will be so happy to FINALLY get this over with!

I'm sure he's fine. but with birds- you never know- they are so good at masking illness until it's too late.

I'll let you all know how it goes!

Just wondering... what inclined you to look for a vet to begin with bro?? Maybe I missed a post or something?

O heck dug it up... say NO to the X ray...
Read what happened to Booger in the Health care section I just posted. If he looks good. acts good, not having flight issues etc id not not go for any x rays.. they have to restrain them in 2 bad positions... and tape them down. They are subject to get hurt struggling bro.. Noooooo vote here on X ray... too risky IMHO

I actually take them to the vet annually.

The vet looked in the back of his throat (something that looks like two teeth), I forget what she called it, and she said that is a sign he has been getting plenty of Vitamin A, so that's good. She showed me his preen gland and that looks good. His heart rate was good. They always tell me how calm he is when being examined. I tell them that he's used to being held and cuddled and he loves to have his wing scratched and they said that makes a big difference when doing exams.

She told me she could go either way on the blood work. I decided to have it done for piece of mind and because he had put on some weight (I know thats from too many carbs, so more veggies for him, less pasta). He weighs 123g, last year he weighed 119g.

He's quiet right now, resting on one foot, but as soon as I let him out, he went for his food. He had food in the cage in the car, but with the movement, it was hard for him to eat.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had fallen into the habit of taking the Rickeybird to the vet only every five years or so... he's never had so much as a sniffle, and weight holds steady at 250-ish grams, but... folks here (including you) have me pledging to get back on a yearly schedule. If you go through THIS much to get YOUR bird to the vet... I have NO EXCUSE not to!!!

Notdumasilook said:

Just wondering... what inclined you to look for a vet to begin with bro?? Maybe I missed a post or something?

O heck dug it up... say NO to the X ray...
Read what happened to Booger in the Health care section I just posted. If he looks good. acts good, not having flight issues etc id not not go for any x rays.. they have to restrain them in 2 bad positions... and tape them down. They are subject to get hurt struggling bro.. Noooooo vote here on X ray... too risky IMHO

Click to expand...

I have to disagree ... strongly about the importance of an Xray as a diagnostic tool. I suggest that if you know your bird & your gut tells you something isn't right follow it. My avian vet has never taped Gracie down & the positions did not appear uncomfortable, she wasn't overly upset & Gracie is barely handle able by anyone but me. I've always been given the option to remain if I choose to during the Xray maybe that would be a solution.

I'm super sad that Booger & you went thru what ya did - it shouldn't have happened I'm so sorry you had that experience. However, I wouldn't exclude having a valuable diagnostic tool like an xray based on it tho. Instead I'd suggest you find a good, competent avian vet to perform the test to avoid anything like that ever happening. Maybe ask them to show you how they handle etc. Gracie has had multiple Xrays due to her health issues & never once has she been hurt or mishandled.

When I first got Gracie I took her to our avian vet, having no vet history etc. I wanted full blood panels, fecals etc. Everything came back great, no issues the vet felt she was around 2-3 yrs old. A week goes by & I just felt like something was off with Gracie - nothing I could put my finger on directly it was little things & she acted perfectly healthy.
I went back, needless to say my vet was surprised since there wasn't any medical indications of anything wrong but she felt I would know her best & suggested an Xray then ultrasound just to put me at ease.

The Xrays uncovered the following issues (later confirmed with an endoscope procedures):
Heart disease (atherosclerosis): If allowed to lay eggs/become hormonal would put her at a huge risk for blood clots, seizures, stroke & death.
Treatment: Deslorelin implant was put in to prevent her from cycling
She is on a strict heart healthy diet & will eventually require medication Regular checkups & testing a must. Exercise is critical & monitored to avoid overexertion. No stress.

Massive internal infection (treated)
Airsaculitis (endoscope biopsies revealed lesions/scar tissue from prior years caused by her own immune system)
Reproductive/renal abnormality (treated by the implant - a check for reduction will be done in a few months)
Enlarged liver (diet, monitoring, detox/milk thistle)

Immediately after the Xray bloodwork was redone and still came out healthy.
Follow up endoscope & biopsies confirmed the Xrays were correct & to date they haven't been able to figure out why her bloodwork etc. appears normal.

Based on my avian vet & several consulting avian vets along with the several universities her age is now estimated at the youngest 15 - more likely closer to 20 at least.

If not for the Xrays we would not have known how ill she truly was & been able to take action to help her. I wouldn't have treated or made changes/decisions based on this knowledge that will now help prolong & improve her quality of life.

By no means do I want to discount what happened to you and I understand your upset & cautiousness (I don't blame ya) but I would strongly advise to just make sure you have a competent avian vet that you can trust along with a staff that is competent & knowledgeable.

Skittys_Daddy said:

I actually take them to the vet annually.

The vet looked in the back of his throat (something that looks like two teeth), I forget what she called it, and she said that is a sign he has been getting plenty of Vitamin A, so that's good. She showed me his preen gland and that looks good. His heart rate was good. They always tell me how calm he is when being examined. I tell them that he's used to being held and cuddled and he loves to have his wing scratched and they said that makes a big difference when doing exams.

She told me she could go either way on the blood work. I decided to have it done for piece of mind and because he had put on some weight (I know thats from too many carbs, so more veggies for him, less pasta). He weighs 123g, last year he weighed 119g.

He's quiet right now, resting on one foot, but as soon as I let him out, he went for his food. He had food in the cage in the car, but with the movement, it was hard for him to eat.

Click to expand...

So glad he had a good visit you must feel so at ease !

Well, I spoke with the vet, they didn't recommend an x-ray. They said they found nothing in the exam, gram stain, or blood work that would justify needing to have it done. But that it was up to me.

Personally, given what the bird goes through I'd never have it done unless the vet recommended it.

I trust my vet incredibly. Not only are they very knowledgable, but they also know very well how much Skittles means to me.

Trust me... I had a competent avian Vet... Been to him for years. It was his sorry staff member that did the damage. I took Booger back to the new Avian Specialist I now use to look at Boogers damaged left wing. I asked her about X-rays. Expert that she is she more or less advised against it... saying there was a risk of further injury, and if there was soft tissue damage (which seemed most likely) that X ray would not show it anyway. I don't doubt X rays can be used and be a useful tool... what I'm saying is if there is no obvious reason to X ray, avoid it!. I do not understand how that "nurse" could have be so careless with lil Booger... he is NOT a biter and he was too weak to offer a lot of resistance. Both of the vets I use restrain them with various methods which I'm not against if its done properly.. sedation for Xray?? your bird may never wake up...Bottom line.. done right your bird should not come back injured. I'm sure I'm not the first person here to have a bird injured at the vet and trust me.. it sux

Glad the vet didn't think X rays were needed and that Skitty is a healthy happy camper!!

I should clarify what I said. The vet said that having the blood work done was up to me. That she could go either way. But as far as the xray, she advised against it because there was no need.

The good thing is, Skittles is used to being held and cuddled, so he doesn't freak out when he is restrained and examined. The vet told me that makes a LOT of difference. Not only is it easier for them, but they can also do a more thorough exam that way.

The only time I think I would be okay with an xray is if he had swallowed something and they needed to know where it was etc, and at that point I'd insist on being in the room.

Yeah... that's the last time I will let em take him back to X ray without me there. Booger as well is a laid back gentle lil critter that's use to being handled. I can pick him up like coke bottle and get sugar from him... no problem to him at all... not even a lil squawk. Glad you got Skitty a clean bill of health!.

Annnnnd... just to show that I'm true to my word... the Rickeybird saw his avian vet and has a clean bill of health... weighs 3 grams more than his last visit about five years back! And I will see to it that he gets a yearly physical. Man does he hate that blood test... screams bloody murder in a back room... it's all I can do not to race back and "rescue" him. It must be terribly painful. I believe that I was told that they take blood from an artery in the neck.

Indeed they take it from the neck, usually bending the needle at an angle to get at the vein... My lil Sun will just sit there without a peep. Tough lil critters, I don't think the pain bothers them, more having there neck stretched out makes em uncomfy

People always thought the sun orbited the earth.They were wrong, the earth and the rest of the solar system orbit the mighty sun conure

Thanks, Notdum...
The Rickeybird just might be a drama king. He learned how to call my name from hearing my husband, and of course I have reinforced it so helplessly that it's now every other word out of his beak, so he screams (from the back room/laboratory at the vet)... "GAYYYYYULLLLL! GAIL!! GAYYYYULLLL!!!!!" My husband has a southern accent.

Sean... I no longer need astronomy.... foolish science! Hail, Sun Conures! They're so beautiful. I almost got one instead of the drama demon Rickeybird.