Something is Wrong with Bixby.

[Anansi]

Stephen, I am so sorry to hear about Sir Bixby's accident. While I was reading I was expecting the vet to explain maybe what caused Bixby to be feeling off in the first place. What an awful experience for both of you with such a jerk. I'm glad you will be looking for a better av vet for our sweet boy. Give him a kiss and a hug while you continue to feed him his favorite fruits and veggies.

Ummm! I hate to mention it, but after you send Trish her magnificent epic manuscript, please keep typing.

Hahaha! Allee, I will do just that! (Where else could one find such a wonderful grouping of people?)

And as for the vet, "jerk" seems to be the common consensus. (I've never seen that word used so often in one thread, before. Ha!) Good to know. I was wondering if it was just me. Lol

 

[RavensGryf]

Saying Eclectus diets are no different from any other parrot?? That's awful. What if someone's Ekkie ate lots of pellets and some veggies like other species who can still be healthy on that, and came down with problems since their digestive tracts AREN'T like other parrots. He would be misdiagnosing the problem.

Funny you mention this, Julie. I specifically pointed out to him the difference between an eclectus' digestive tract and those of other parrots. Namely, the difference in length which leads to the extraction of more vitamins from the ingested food.

His answer? There is no difference. It's a myth by eclectus so-called specialists who like to believe there's something different about their birds. But he's done x number of autopsies on ekkies and it's all the same.

Again, wow.

It's really disgusting when a so called expert in their field is incompetent! It makes no sense to me at all! :11: It's no different than taking your car to a "transmission specialist" who fixes your car all wrong because he claims all engines are the same!

Is this an "all species" vet who not only does dogs and cats, but THINKS he knows enough about birds too?! There are A LOT of those vets around who will see birds, but they shouldn't.

 

[RavensGryf]

Funny you say that Trish, We keep a zip lock bag of frozen peas for booboos, it works GREAT

Good you took it out of the original packaging, and put it in a ziplock... That keeps you and your family from accidentally preparing and ingesting the ones that have been in and out of the freezer, frozen-thawed-frozen-thawed-frozen- thawed.... for years.

 

[Anansi]

Saying Eclectus diets are no different from any other parrot?? That's awful. What if someone's Ekkie ate lots of pellets and some veggies like other species who can still be healthy on that, and came down with problems since their digestive tracts AREN'T like other parrots. He would be misdiagnosing the problem.

Funny you mention this, Julie. I specifically pointed out to him the difference between an eclectus' digestive tract and those of other parrots. Namely, the difference in length which leads to the extraction of more vitamins from the ingested food.

His answer? There is no difference. It's a myth by eclectus so-called specialists who like to believe there's something different about their birds. But he's done x number of autopsies on ekkies and it's all the same.

Again, wow.

It's really disgusting when a so called expert in their field is incompetent! It makes no sense to me at all! :11: It's no different than taking your car to a "transmission specialist" who fixes your car all wrong because he claims all engines are the same!

Is this an "all species" vet who not only does dogs and cats, but THINKS he knows enough about birds too?! There are A LOT of those vets around who will see birds, but they shouldn't.

He's actually a certified avian vet who's part of some high and mighty board or something or other. Apparently very highly regarded in the field. Thing is, to be fair, it would appear that he really knows his stuff when it comes to parrots OTHER THAN eclectus. He specializes in macaws (Hyacinth, I believe) and successfully bred them for many years.

BUT... eclectus study is relatively new. It actually isn't all that long ago (relatively speaking) that males and females were believed to be separate species due to the extreme differences in their coloration. And this guy, apparently long ago, decided that he'd learned all that he needed to about birds. So, while I don't doubt that he is a virtual font of knowledge bordering on the encyclopedic when it comes to old canon, I think he's lost the ability to wrap his mind around anything new.

It's funny. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about how much more swiftly young children (up to 3 or 4 yrs) learn than adults. I believe this is the exact reason why. Children are born without egos, and without any innate sense of superiority. This world is new to them. They know nothing about it and they don't pretend to. So they become like sponges, eagerly sucking in every bit of information they can.
But as they get older, they begin to feel like they "know" things. And that sponge-like capacity diminishes proportionately. It happens to all of us. But, as evidenced by this vet, it apparently occurs in some more heavily than others.

 

[RavensGryf]

He's actually a certified avian vet who's part of some high and mighty board or something or other. Apparently very highly regarded in the field. Thing is, to be fair, it would appear that he really knows his stuff when it comes to parrots OTHER THAN eclectus. He specializes in macaws (Hyacinth, I believe) and successfully bred them for many years.

BUT... eclectus study is relatively new. It actually isn't all that long ago (relatively speaking) that males and females were believed to be separate species due to the extreme differences in their coloration. And this guy, apparently long ago, decided that he'd learned all that he needed to about birds. So, while I don't doubt that he is a virtual font of knowledge bordering on the encyclopedic when it comes to old canon, I think he's lost the ability to wrap his mind around anything new.

It's funny. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about how much more swiftly young children (up to 3 or 4 yrs) learn than adults. I believe this is the exact reason why. Children are born without egos, and without any innate sense of superiority. This world is new to them. They know nothing about it and they don't pretend to. So they become like sponges, eagerly sucking in every bit of information they can.
But as they get older, they begin to feel like they "know" things. And that sponge-like capacity diminishes proportionately. It happens to all of us. But, as evidenced by this vet, it apparently occurs in some more heavily than others.

Wow, hard to believe his credentials . Even though Eclectus study is "relatively" new, if he is not only board certified but supposed to be a highly regarded expert on top of that, you'd think this is STILL such basic knowledge to someone who supposedly knows that much about the health of birds! I mean, look how 'common knowledge' it is here for us non-veterinarian lay people?! :52:

Interesting point about children in regard to learning without egos involved. Profound thought of the day Stephen

 

[Dinosrawr]

Oh wow, I'm so sorry I haven't read this until now! Poor Bixby Avery flew into a window quite some time ago, and she was the exact same - incredibly need, very desperate for attention, quiet, and didn't seem to want much of anything. After awhile, she perked up for treats, so I knew she was okay. My guess is that Bixby bruised his beak pretty bad and it was sensitive, almost like when we develop blood blisters under our nails. When Avery hit the window, she developed a bruise on her beak and it surprised me considering that it's black

The story of your vet, however, makes me very, very sad, and makes me also feel very, very fortunate that I am lucky enough to have a real avian vet. I hope you find a good one and that Victoria's suggestion works out! An ornithologist could tell you how a longer digestive tract would affect a bird and what would be best for them more than that vet EVER could, and we ALL know that one parrot is not the same as another. That's like comparing foxes to wolves to dogs. Good luck with that!

I'm glad Bixby is doing better, though, and I bet he just loves all the attention and special food he's getting from you! Send him lots of love from all of us, and I'll be thinking of you two! I'm glad he's got you, though, no one could ask for a better nurse-me-back-to-health-er! (Is that even a real sentence?)

 

[Anansi]

Wow, hard to believe his credentials . Even though Eclectus study is "relatively" new, if he is not only board certified but supposed to be a highly regarded expert on top of that, you'd think this is STILL such basic knowledge to someone who supposedly knows that much about the health of birds! I mean, look how 'common knowledge' it is here for us non-veterinarian lay people?! :52:

So true, Julie. It really is baffling. I've decided that, from now on, I'm going to have to hear a vet's position on eclectus diet and Mojo Molt before I make the trip all the way out to them. I mean, I'm fortunate in that Bixby's already improving, but what if the situation had been life and death? Scary.

 

[Anansi]

Interesting point about children in regard to learning without egos involved. Profound thought of the day Stephen [/QUOTE]

Awww, Shucks! Thanks, Julie!

 

[drlisaort]

Wow, what a scary experience for you and Bixby! Thank goodness he is on the mend. Yay!!!

 

[Terry57]

How is he ding this evening, Stephen? Is he still improving I hope?
BTW, please keep typing after sending Allee her manuscript, I would like to have the next book in the series, my friend!

 

[Anansi]

Bixby's appetite remains healthy, and he managed to eat all of his meals unassisted! There is still some obvious discomfort, but definitely less than yesterday. He did seem a little quiet, though that might be explained by him staying up a little later than usual waiting for me to get home from another late day at work. Weighed him just before bedtime and he's at an acceptable 412 grams. I'm keeping my eye on him, but I believe we're out of the woods.

And yes, dear Terry, I shall continue typing away! Haha!

 

[Anansi]

Hello, all.
Bixby's appetite remains healthy, but he still seems relatively quiet. Hopefully he's just still going through the healing process, but I just can't shake the feeling that there was something wrong before he flew into the door. Something that caused that level of disorientation that made him have that accident.

I hope I'm wrong.

I need to find a good vet for him SOON.

 

[Terry57]

I hope he is just healing as well, but if you think that there is something more wrong, I would definitely find another vet soon. You know him better than anyone. Poor Bixby, my prayers are still with him.
I am so sorry you are going through this

 

[RavensGryf]

I hope you find a good vet for Bixby soon. I understand the stress Stephen. I'm glad to hear his appetite is good, that looks like a good sign! Still praying all will be well. Hang in there.

 

[Anansi]

Hey, Everyone!

Just wanted to give you all an update. Tonight (Weii, last night. I fell asleep before pressing the post tab. Lol) is the first that Bixby has seemed more or less himself. He even flew for the first time since the accident! He seemed nervous about it. Understandably hesitant. But you could tell that he really wanted to try it. You know the body language, when they crouch in preparation to spring?

So I made sure to get closer, since I didn't want him pushing too hard, and watched him fly from my wife's arm to my own. From only 10 feet away, granted, but we celebrated like he'd just crossed the Grand Canyon! Whoo-hoo!!!

Bixby's flight confidence has taken a bit of a hit, but we have all of the time in the world to work on that. I'm still watching him, but I'm cautiously optimistic that he's finally turned a corner.

Thanks again to everyone for all of the support. You all helped keep me (relatively) sane.

 

[Bundiibird]

That's awesome new about Bixby. Praying he keeps going from strength to strength.

 

[Terry57]

That is wonderful news, Stephen! I am so thrilled to hear he is starting to seem like the Incredible Hulk again

 

[getwozzy]

Oh I'm so glad Bixby keeps improving!!!! I hope things continue to improve!

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh thank God Bixby is getting better! Acting like his old self is always a good sign So good to hear Stephen!

 

[Betrisher]

Go Bixby! I'm so glad to hear he's getting back to his usual self, Stephen. The Phloque is very pleased to hear the good news as well: they're sending various uplifting shrieks and squawks to their friend, Bixby.