Bella's first vet check

adz1984

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Got an appointment booked for tomorrow morning and was wondering about which tests to take while not going completely overkill.
I am for sure getting a physical check, wet smear and gram stain tests done and if anything is found i'm considering getting a culture test done (not sure of importance) same goe's for CBC!

Then there is Psittacosis (or Chlamydophia infection) again unsure of importance if no signs are visible and was wondering if I could just preemptively treat it to save money?

Basically, getting ALL the tests done is out of my budget.. what should I prioritize?
Any info or tips appreciated!


 
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Scott

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This can be a difficult decision! Definitely a CBC for a baseline and a fecal culture. Everything else may depend on your bird's history, association with other birds, and the guidance of your vet. Even if $$ was not a consideration, prudence would suggest not every possible test to be mandatory.

Frankly, some vets are money-grubbing while others will best advise you in consideration of limitations. A good idea is to make a list of all questions before the visit. This will enable a conversation that will assist the vet to best guide you.
 

GaleriaGila

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Agreeing with Scott.

Because I like to be right.

Please tell us what happens. Good luck!
 
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adz1984

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Two trains, a taxi and a fat vet bill :(

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9


9
 
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adz1984

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And since she is not really eating veges/pellets well and has defiencies/digestive problems these supplements should be fed for a while, also got some cultured organic beans

maig3r.jpg
 
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adz1984

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Kinda feel like I got bent over tbh lol, he want's a followup in a month for more tests.. price seem's very high for the tests done, no blood/chem/major diseases... and the physical was over before I knew it started, also don't know what to think about all these supplements but on the other hand he's mentioned as one of the best here and thinks bella will change for the better and he's got all these books, own food/supp line...obviously she's worth it to me and i'll be really happy if she get's better but I guess time will tell.. ohh and money!
 
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Scott

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Two of the images do not duplicate, but the first entry of "The Bill" is highly legible. Interesting diagnosis with copious notes. Seems the diagnosis is somewhat speculative given the lack of CBC. And that seems rather costly even considering my SoCal location! Yet it can be a crucial tool for a baseline and comparison after an illness.

I would not lightly second-guess a vet, particularly if avian certified. But I have never seen such an assortment of supplements ordered!
 
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adz1984

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So basically your saying he's either really bad or really good and I'm back to square one with still not knowing what the hell is going on lol why our little feathered friends have to be so complicated! About the supplements it's basically his own full programme for recovery of digestion, immune system and deficiencys etc for sick birds, I don't think its a permanent diet. Dr. Rob Marshall is his name btw!
 
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adz1984

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Two of the images do not duplicate, but the first entry of "The Bill" is highly legible.
I have zero idea what you just said there lol

Yet it can be a crucial tool for a baseline and comparison after an illness.
Maybe that's a good reason he left out cbc for the next visit? currently bella is ill.
 
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Scott

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So basically your saying he's either really bad or really good and I'm back to square one with still not knowing what the hell is going on lol why our little feathered friends have to be so complicated! About the supplements it's basically his own full programme for recovery of digestion, immune system and deficiencys etc for sick birds, I don't think its a permanent diet. Dr. Rob Marshall is his name btw!

Don't have enough background to evaluate the vet's skills. But I have never seen such an array of pills and potions recommended for a parrot!

You ought to do some independent research to confirm the wisdom of such supplements in lieu of a balanced avian diet.
 

Scott

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Two of the images do not duplicate, but the first entry of "The Bill" is highly legible.
I have zero idea what you just said there lol

Yet it can be a crucial tool for a baseline and comparison after an illness.
Maybe that's a good reason he left out cbc for the next visit? currently bella is ill.

Your second post had two images below the "bill" that did not materialize. Either a black "x" or other icons were observed using IE, Chrome, and IOS browsers. Firefox showed nothing other than the bill.

It appears your vet diagnosed an illness without a CBC. That is his discretion, but the CBC is an important baseline and diagnostic tool. The purpose of the baseline is to compare with a hopefully normal test post treatment. With just one CBC, it is impossible to observe a change.
 
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adz1984

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I'm very inexperienced and new with bird's but I can for sure say that Bella is a very stubborn seed weaned baby and has proven extremely difficult to wean onto a healthy diet, barely touch's pellets, veges served in many different ways and brands. So maybe this diet program of his is best while she recovers and weans onto veges (which he recomends to keep trying)
 
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adz1984

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It appears your vet diagnosed an illness without a CBC. That is his discretion, but the CBC is an important baseline and diagnostic tool. The purpose of the baseline is to compare with a hopefully normal test post treatment. With just one CBC, it is impossible to observe a change.

Very good point I will question his choice of tests and go from there I guess
found a link to all his books and supps that he created with alot of detail, i don't know but he seem's very experienced to me
https://ladygouldian.com/category/catalog/dr-rob-marshalls-health-supplements
 
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EllenD

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So basically your saying he's either really bad or really good and I'm back to square one with still not knowing what the hell is going on lol why our little feathered friends have to be so complicated! About the supplements it's basically his own full programme for recovery of digestion, immune system and deficiencys etc for sick birds, I don't think its a permanent diet. Dr. Rob Marshall is his name btw!

Don't have enough background to evaluate the vet's skills. But I have never seen such an array of pills and potions recommended for a parrot!

You ought to do some independent research to confirm the wisdom of such supplements in lieu of a balanced avian diet.
Totally agree with Scott...I'm not a vet and I definitely wouldn't want to criticize an avian specialist that was being thorough. But the first thing I thought when I read his notes was "At least that price included blood work, and they'll have a baseline CBC and Chem Panel for the future"...Then I saw that he did no blood work! I agree that his diagnosis is very aggressive without having done a blood count. The bill is definitely very high compared to my avian vet, but I'm in central Pennsylvania, so it's a different world I'm sure, I can't really give a fair assessment of price for your location.

I do know that I wouldn't do anything until I researched every one of those supplements. I will not judge or poo-poo your avian vet, again I'm not a vet, but some of what you bought is very unnecessary in my opinion. But you need to research and make that decision for yourself and your bird.

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adz1984

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Ok Bella just got up 2 hours ago, ate very little, took med's and trying to sleep again.. my vets office is closed 2 days outta the week and today is one of them.. any advise?
As for vet price I've found it's not much different anywhere else here, crooked all-round :( $800 and i'm more worried now than before I went, not a good first vet experience so far.

>> Spoke to one of his nurses and was told to stop meds and put back on normal food for now.
 
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adz1984

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I will not judge or poo-poo your avian vet, again I'm not a vet, but some of what you bought is very unnecessary in my opinion. But you need to research and make that decision for yourself and your bird.

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You can judge all you like, I made this thread to get opinions from veteran bird owners as I have zero experience with vets and I want Bella to get better. Preferably by someone who isn't going to take me around the world for no good reason, I'm obviously not satisfied at this point, she's reacting badly to the meds for one plus I didn't even know he performed a physical that's how quick it was, I even asked the nurse when is he going to perform a physical lol. After the gram stains/culture etc I was asked if I wanted to do both a CBC and xray I said I would prefer to do only one today (whichever you think is best) and he chose xray saying we'd do a CBC next time for a reason I cant re-explain properly but I'll try (he suspected something was upsetting her digestive system which would cause the stools I explained + sudden lunge backward thing bella did on occasion amongst other things) I guess CBC next time means a garanteed 3rd visit who knows.. then to top it off there's the unusual million supps on the back of my mind, all in all it doe's seem this guy does things so differently..then one has to wonder if its for the good or most likely latter ..argh so stressful..
 
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Scott

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If Bella does not soon improve, you may wish to contact the vet and give an update. Depending on the response, you may wish to seek a second opinion. I know that is not a palatable choice given how much you already spent.
 

fayah

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I think your bird just may be stressed from the vet visit. Mine are usually a little more tired/subdued and sleepy after a trip.

Usually a physical exam is not that extensive...they usually hold the bird by the neck and legs. Listen to its lungs. Check the beak, check the wings, check the toes. Then that's pretty much it lol. If your bird isn't used to being handled like that it tends to be a very stressing experience. My mom was giving me panicked texts that my bird was dying because she appeared so sleepy and inactive when she came back from the vet.

You should probably give it a day or two unless you notice severe respiratory sxs or such.

also jesus that price. And I thought my vet bill in the 400s was high...
 
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adz1984

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I just had a long read of some of the things he diagnosed blocked gizzard + crop impaction in particular with bacteria/infections could be easily identified/suspected with what he tested +symptoms. I seen the blockages on the xray myself and now I can kinda see why he chose the xray over cbc as bella's show's multiple symptoms of blockage/impact and I guess seeing exactly how bad it is, is important.. I didn't think much of it as he wasn't very concerned but it seem's pretty serious to me, I also suspect a toy did this as she doesn't have access to cloth/paper.. a bird kabob made from balsa wood, she turned it into nothing in 1 day! After looking into this more I think he has done a good job diagnosing/testing based on the symptoms and my request for limited testing. Now just need the right treatments and hope!
 
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EllenD

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I'd just stay on top of it, and if she doesn't start to respond to treatment soon I'd call him and see what he says. I don't think the x-ray was a bad idea at all, but it should be combined with either a cbc or a crop/throat culture to diagnose not only a bacterial infection, but WHAT bacteria to determine what medications to prescribe. That's where I was coming from when I said I didn't understand his diagnosis based on the tests he did. When my birds go for their yearly Well-Birdy checkups my avian vet does a physical exam, basic blood work, fecal smears, and an x-ray. If any of that comes back funky he'll then do a culture and sensitivity and possibly more specific blood work. Again, I'm in central Pennsylvania, so I actually feel pretty good that a well-birdy checkup with basic blood work, fecal smears, and an x-ray only costs me about $200. I will never complain about that again!

The supplements your vet sold you are questionable, and unfortunately a lot of vets do this...Hell, a lot of human doctors do this. This is one of the things that blew my mind during my internship while in graduate school, the doctors all had alliances with certain drug companies and would prescribe medications based on what the drug company they were working with at the time made, not what was the best medication for the patient. I personally had a urologist (I have had chronic kidney stones since I was 18) "prescribe" me a vitamin supplement manufactured by the same drug company that had posters all over his walls...As he was telling me about these vitamins and how they will get rid of the kidney stones I was thrilled because the stones suck! So I was waiting for the prescription and he came back into the exam room with a pamphlet, they weren't prescription vitamins, I had to go online and order them from that drug company directly! For $300 a bottle!!! Yeah right, he then wrote me a prescription for Lortab (brand of hydrocodone, like Vicodin) which I wasn't happy about because he had been writing me scripts for oxycodone (brand name Percocet) because for whatever reason the oxycodone helps with kidney stone pain much, much better than the same dose of hydrocodone does, we had even talked about that at length prior...He tells me he "changed his mind" about oxycodone...OK, that why he also checked the box on the prescription that says "Brand Name Must Be Prescribed", so the pharmacist had to give me the brand name Lortab instead of the generic hydrocodone. I didn't realize he did this until I got to the pharmacy and 30 Lortab cost me $60, while 30 hydrocodone cost me $6...

Veterinarians do the same thing unfortunately, this is why when you walk into a vet's office with your dog, and you see Science Diet food stacked up in a display, the vet then tells you they highly recommend you switch to Science Diet from your dog's current brand...I hate this, doctors willing to sacrifice care or spend people's money that may not have it to spend but they will do it because they just want what is best for their pet. It's just so wrong.

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