Taking Archie to Vet...For No Reason

[Ira7]

He went for his first CAV visit in February a few days after I got him. 9 months old, full work-up except sex DNA, and all was good.

Vet warned me that Amazons are susceptible to overweight (true, or maybe just YNAs?) and he eats like a maniac, albeit mostly the fresh stuff. But who am I to know if I’m giving him too much of the other stuff?

Also, nails are really long and dig in hard to bare arms. (Doesn’t bother me, but my wife kvetches about it.) Is it common to need clipping at just 1 year old now? I gotta assume it’s diet related.

So if you’re having another “exam” and nail clipping after just 3 or 4 months, what else should be involved? I assume no lab work if no problems present themselves.

 

[noodles123]

He went for his first CAV visit in February a few days after I got him. 9 months old, full work-up except sex DNA, and all was good.

Vet warned me that Amazons are susceptible to overweight (true, or maybe just YNAs?) and he eats like a maniac, albeit mostly the fresh stuff. But who am I to know if I’m giving him too much of the other stuff?

Also, nails are really long and dig in hard to bare arms. (Doesn’t bother me, but my wife kvetches about it.) Is it common to need clipping at just 1 year old now? I gotta assume it’s diet related.

So if you’re having another “exam” and nail clipping after just 3 or 4 months, what else should be involved? I assume no lab work if no problems present themselves.

How long has it been?

 

[MonicaMc]

Some birds just have sharp nails.... you can train for voluntary nail trimming and just dull the tips if you want, or use nail clippers of some sort (I have animal nail clippers) just to take the ends off.

 

[Ira7]

He went for his first CAV visit in February a few days after I got him. 9 months old, full work-up except sex DNA, and all was good.

Vet warned me that Amazons are susceptible to overweight (true, or maybe just YNAs?) and he eats like a maniac, albeit mostly the fresh stuff. But who am I to know if I’m giving him too much of the other stuff?

Also, nails are really long and dig in hard to bare arms. (Doesn’t bother me, but my wife kvetches about it.) Is it common to need clipping at just 1 year old now? I gotta assume it’s diet related.

So if you’re having another “exam” and nail clipping after just 3 or 4 months, what else should be involved? I assume no lab work if no problems present themselves.

How long has it been?

I’ll have what you’re having.

 

[Ira7]

Some birds just have sharp nails.... you can train for voluntary nail trimming and just dull the tips if you want, or use nail clippers of some sort (I have animal nail clippers) just to take the ends off.

Yeah, just not ready to deal with the nails myself yet. But there are these other issues, like weight.

 

[LaManuka]

I can only speak for my CAV, but if I was in a similar situation he would ask us if we had any particular concerns and just spend a few minutes observing the bird, then perform a short non-invasive physical exam for general body condition before trimming the talons. Mind you our vet is a total legend in this country and one of those vets who can pick what’s wrong with a bird just by looking at it!

 

[Ira7]

I can only speak for my CAV, but if I was in a similar situation he would ask us if we had any particular concerns and just spend a few minutes observing the bird, then perform a short non-invasive physical exam for general body condition before trimming the talons. Mind you our vet is a total legend in this country and one of those vets who can pick what’s wrong with a bird just by looking at it!

I could tell my CAV is pretty awesome too. It’s just a feeling, and he has a huge staff!

Ironically...or not so ironically...he’s in Deerfield Beach, Florida, right near this exotic pet doctor who has a show on cable, but I can’t remember the name of the show or the head vet’s name. Only saw it a few times, but she’s done wing amputations, beak replacements, etc. But she also does bunnies and lizards, and it’s just a TV show.

My guy...only birds.

 

[Ira7]

I can only speak for my CAV, but if I was in a similar situation he would ask us if we had any particular concerns and just spend a few minutes observing the bird, then perform a short non-invasive physical exam for general body condition before trimming the talons. Mind you our vet is a total legend in this country and one of those vets who can pick what’s wrong with a bird just by looking at it!

I could tell my CAV is pretty awesome too. It’s just a feeling, and he has a huge staff!

Ironically...or not so ironically...he’s in Deerfield Beach, Florida, right near this exotic pet doctor who has a show on cable, Dr. K’s Exotic animal ER. Only saw it a few times, but she’s done wing amputations, beak replacements, etc. But she also does bunnies and lizards, and it’s just a TV show.

My guy...only birds.

 

[bill_e]

The TV vet is Dr. K. (Kelleher)

I bring Nike to my CAV for one or all of nails, wings and beak. It's expensive at $19 each but she is seen by the CAV a couple of extra times a year and I feel gets a modest exam even if just for the nails so it's worth it to me.

 

[Flboy]

If I set up a visit for nail clipping, that’s all I am charged for! $9!

 

[wrench13]

You can try the cement or sand perches to bring the pointy parts of the nail down. Not for a sleeping perch, but one he uses often.
Weight- best to have a small digital scale to weigh him 1X a week or more to track loss or gain. Weight loss is a KEY way to determine if your bird is sick, much more evident than just appearances, and you'll know if its time to put him on a weight loss diet if he is getting portly. All Amazons are subject to obesity, they have such hearty appetites. THe main thing is to maintain his weight at a given level - some birds are just bigger in stature than others of the same species, much like people. Scales are like 20-30 bucks on Amazon, and can be had with a suction cup T stand. Saltys weight is 320 +/- 5 grams, he is on the bigger side for his species.

 

[Ira7]

The TV vet is Dr. K. (Kelleher)

I bring Nike to my CAV for one or all of nails, wings and beak. It's expensive at $19 each but she is seen by the CAV a couple of extra times a year and I feel gets a modest exam even if just for the nails so it's worth it to me.

I just watched a few episodes one morning, and some real heart-breaking stuff.

But it’s amazing how many people thought the dog was in a different room...only walked away for a second...or didn’t know her husband was boiling spaghetti in the kitchen.

Sarcasm intended.:31:

 

[Ira7]

You can try the cement or sand perches to bring the pointy parts of the nail down. Not for a sleeping perch, but one he uses often.
Weight- best to have a small digital scale to weigh him 1X a week or more to track loss or gain. Weight loss is a KEY way to determine if your bird is sick, much more evident than just appearances, and you'll know if its time to put him on a weight loss diet if he is getting portly. All Amazons are subject to obesity, they have such hearty appetites. THe main thing is to maintain his weight at a given level - some birds are just bigger in stature than others of the same species, much like people. Scales are like 20-30 bucks on Amazon, and can be had with a suction cup T stand. Saltys weight is 320 +/- 5 grams, he is on the bigger side for his species.

I’m going to order a scale today. Thanks for the advice. The sharp nails I can live with; those perches have always freaked me out.

At what age should an Amazon be considered “full size?” He’s only a year.

 

[Ira7]

Scale is arriving tomorrow, and as I said in a new thread, the quickest appointment I could get with my CAV was July 22nd!!!

They’re really backed up, and I’m sure they’re dealing with some serious issues after all this time.

 

[wrench13]

He might put a bit more on until about 3-5 yrs old when puberty is done. Amazons tend to put on weight readily because most are real chow hounds. Its good to know where he stands, more for any weight loss than gain. Knowing what your parrot weighs on an average lets you spot any sudden losses, which is the best indicator of a medical issue.
For example, Salty's average weight is 320gr. He goes up and down about 3-4 grams depending on what he;s had in the last few days. If he went down to 300, I would be on our way to his vet. 320gr is the top of his species range so much more than that, as an average, and I would be cutting some of his nut/seed/protein intake.

 

[Ira7]

Scale arrived, and of course, batteries not inc.

It’s very low profile and comes with this weird 3-perch thingy (different sizes) that just sits loosely on the scale. Don’t trust it, so I think I’m going to try and train him to step on there with a paper towel to get a treat.

 

[Ira7]

I gave Archie 2 days to observe the scale from afar.

Later, I’ll try to get him on the dang thing.

 

[Ira7]

He might put a bit more on until about 3-5 yrs old when puberty is done. Amazons tend to put on weight readily because most are real chow hounds. Its good to know where he stands, more for any weight loss than gain. Knowing what your parrot weighs on an average lets you spot any sudden losses, which is the best indicator of a medical issue.
For example, Salty's average weight is 320gr. He goes up and down about 3-4 grams depending on what he;s had in the last few days. If he went down to 300, I would be on our way to his vet. 320gr is the top of his species range so much more than that, as an average, and I would be cutting some of his nut/seed/protein intake.

Just weighed him.

480.

And normal for YNA is 480-680.

So I THINK everything is just fine, or I don’t know to trust the scale! But I do. He eats like a cow.

But doesn’t that weight range seem crazy? An 8 oz. variance?

Look here:

https://www.beautyofbirds.com/yellownapedamazon.html

 

[Jazzop]

Yeah, just not ready to deal with the nails myself yet.

Sharpness of talons is only one factor contributing to your level of discomfort/pain. Another thing to consider is how comfortable the bird is while resting on you. As the bird's anxiety increases, it will grip more tightly. A truly mellow bird could have very sharp claws, yet you won't feel anything because of the way the bird is resting its weight on its feet.


Yet another consideration is how stable the platform is for the bird. If your body feels like a firm foundation, the bird will feel less of a need to grip tightly. However, if you waver or make sudden moves, it's only natural that the bird will dig in for stability.

 

[Ira7]

Yeah, just not ready to deal with the nails myself yet.

Sharpness of talons is only one factor contributing to your level of discomfort/pain. Another thing to consider is how comfortable the bird is while resting on you. As the bird's anxiety increases, it will grip more tightly. A truly mellow bird could have very sharp claws, yet you won't feel anything because of the way the bird is resting its weight on its feet.


Yet another consideration is how stable the platform is for the bird. If your body feels like a firm foundation, the bird will feel less of a need to grip tightly. However, if you waver or make sudden moves, it's only natural that the bird will dig in for stability.

Well, it might just be one factor, but they’re too sharp.

I’m not dancing the Mambo when he’s perched on me.