Update on Tequila

[camo]

Jess,

I have been a bit vacant the last few weeks. I just had a read through your thread and previous thread, you really have been on a roller coaster ride, I am so sorry, and I hope things keep improving with Tequila!!!

I don't have any helpful advice unfortunately, I just wanted to add to the many well wishes.

All the best,

Cameron

 

[jess.reco]

Thankyou Such a roller coaster. I was making myself physically sick over it.

The vet just rang to check up on her. He definitely believes that it was metal toxicity that started all this. Her medications aren't hunger suppressants, but he said a lot of birds will go off food when you're syringe feeding them so much medication. So if she starts eating properly after she's finished her medications (on Thursday), then she doesn't need to go back to the vet and she will be fine!

 

[plumsmum2005]

So the hunt continues to find the culprit of the metal toxicity? Fingers crossed Tequila won't have to go back to the AV Jess.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

So glad to hear Tequila is nearing the end of her meds and that all is looking good with your vet even thinking she may not have to return...hopefully she will start to eat better for you soon you have done a wonderful job nursing her back to health...I know you are searching for what could have caused the metal toxicity but have you considered any jewelery you might be wearing that she might have nibbled on or even a metal zipper on something that she might have got to...parrots love zippers or anything about the house that perhaps she got to. Hope you find the cause of the toxicity so you can protect her from it in future. Do you use a metal dog crate carrier at all ? Sometimes I have heard they can be made of metal that are not safe for parrots. You may have already ruled out all these possibilities but I just thought Id mention them just in case...also did you check her feed bowls...are they silver unknown metal or stainless steel, if you are unsure about the bowls replace them with stainless steel bowls ASAP also the rims if they have rims and holders etc ...I hope you find the cause soon so you can rest easy about it not happening again. Hope Tequila continnues to get better and never looks back. Looking forward to hearing she is eating well after Thursday

 

[jess.reco]

I hope she doesnt have to aswell. We think her legs are related to her bone disease. Shes ok with her legs now,just not the best strength in 1 leg. But it doesnt seem to bother her.

I think the cups that came with her cage are not stainless steel. So im going to get rid of those. Her cage is a month old and i didnt clean it out with vinegar. I think that could be the culprit.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

I hope she doesnt have to aswell. We think her legs are related to her bone disease. Shes ok with her legs now,just not the best strength in 1 leg. But it doesnt seem to bother her.

I think the cups that came with her cage are not stainless steel. So im going to get rid of those. Her cage is a month old and i didnt clean it out with vinegar. I think that could be the culprit.

Hopefully thats the source of your problem with toxicity and that you have it nailed between washing your cage and getting rid of those cups...is there any way you can find out what sort of metal was used in the cups...perhaps the company you got the cage from could tell you and if the cups were the cause you could end up saving many other parrots lives too by warning them. Glad to hear that Tequilas leg is good and the fact that the slight weakness doesnt bother her much is wonderful...hopefully from now on she will not look back and live a Long and healthy and happy life with you...you did a wonderful job nursing her back to health ...Well Done

 

[plumsmum2005]

Can we have a pic of Tequila's cage Jess and the cups you mention?

 

[GaleriaGila]

It just slays me that cages/products INTENDED FOR BIRDS aren't SAFE FOR BIRDS! And if there's a need for cleaning or such after purchase, why aren't there instructions? How could makers be so irresponsible?! My bird gets a new cage every 5 years or so, and I guess I've been lucky. What's the safest way to go? Buy only certain brands? Which ones?

 

[jess.reco]

Can we have a pic of Tequila's cage Jess and the cups you mention?

I've just sold her cage because it's too tall. With her legs I'm worried that she may fall off her perch and if she does it's a long drop. But I'll be buying a cage from the same people. Here's the link of what I'm looking at.

http://www.gtmall.com.au/classico-play-top-bird-parrot-cage-with-storage-cabinet.html

The cups are stainless steel so that isn't the issue. Somebody else on this forum lost a conure because the cage itself was fine, but it had metal shavings or something on it from storage. My vet told me I need to scrub the cage with vinegar, which I never did.

It's the only thing I can think of it being. She doesn't touch my jewellery. She doesn't have toys because she doesnt like them. She just shreds branches all day long. Her bowls are stainless steel.


And thanks everyone!!! : )

 

[plumsmum2005]

Can we have a pic of Tequila's cage Jess and the cups you mention?

I've just sold her cage because it's too tall. With her legs I'm worried that she may fall off her perch and if she does it's a long drop. But I'll be buying a cage from the same people. Here's the link of what I'm looking at.

Classico Play Top Bird Parrot Cage with Storage Cabinet | GTmall Online

The cups are stainless steel so that isn't the issue. Somebody else on this forum lost a conure because the cage itself was fine, but it had metal shavings or something on it from storage. My vet told me I need to scrub the cage with vinegar, which I never did.

It's the only thing I can think of it being. She doesn't touch my jewellery. She doesn't have toys because she doesnt like them. She just shreds branches all day long. Her bowls are stainless steel.


And thanks everyone!!! : )

The cage looks good Jess, but so much is manufactured in China! Mine was filthy inside the boxes when it came. Goodness knows what nasties come too. Great idea re the vinegar.

 

[LeaKP]

Yes, a good scrub is in order! Washed all the pieces of our cage when it came and dried them as well, checking every corner. Then I put it together (what a job that was!!!).

 

[jess.reco]

Yes I wish they made cheaper cages locally instead of china oh ill be giving it a SUPER vinegar scrub.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I need to get my boy a new one... like I said... every 5 years or so. If I'd gotten a stainless steel one 30 years ago, I would have saved money in the long run. Hindsight is so 20/20! I guess I'll start shopping...

 

[coopedup]

I know it's been a very stressful and trying few weeks for you. So glad that Tequila is getting better. I want to once again say thank you to everyone for your posts on difficult topics. I have learned SO SO much. My current cage isnt in great shape but will suffice for a few months until my finances recoup. It was a hard decision, i want to have everything new and perfect for when she comes home, but the cages I can afford are chinese imports, and while half the price of Kings or Prevue/Hendrix, Im suspect of the quality and metal issues (even thought they SAY it's got non toxic paint) Ive decided that its just too important to mess with, after reading these posts--after all, it will be her home for the next 20 years or more. Thanks again for your input, and sharing your heartbreaks too----it does make a difference.

 

[plumsmum2005]

I know it's been a very stressful and trying few weeks for you. So glad that Tequila is getting better. I want to once again say thank you to everyone for your posts on difficult topics. I have learned SO SO much. My current cage isnt in great shape but will suffice for a few months until my finances recoup. It was a hard decision, i want to have everything new and perfect for when she comes home, but the cages I can afford are chinese imports, and while half the price of Kings or Prevue/Hendrix, Im suspect of the quality and metal issues (even thought they SAY it's got non toxic paint) Ive decided that its just too important to mess with, after reading these posts--after all, it will be her home for the next 20 years or more. Thanks again for your input, and sharing your heartbreaks too----it does make a difference.

Just a small point it is worth checking where the cage you want is made before ordering. You may be surprised.

 

[jess.reco]

I just had a look and those cages are made in China also.. I think most are. Scrubbing them with vinegar is the way to go.

 

[coopedup]

I just had a look and those cages are made in China also.. I think most are. Scrubbing them with vinegar is the way to go.

*sigh* so, cheap or expensive, they're all imports....now im back to my cage conundrum.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Me, too, CoopedUp...
Researching the idea of scrubbing and touching up the current one with safe paint.. I just cant spring for a 2k stainless steel one just now. And Tequila's ordeal has scared me!

 

[plumsmum2005]

How about getting your cages either repaired or resprayed as an option? Depends if you can source the people to do it for you and obviously cost.

 

[coopedup]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Wrought-Parrot-Include-Overall-Dimensions/dp/B00YTKWO92?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_21&smid=A1KKNI1QDASESA]Amazon.com : New Large Wrought Iron Open/Close Play Top Bird Parrot Cage, Include Metal Seed Guard Solid Metal Feeder Nest Doors Overall Dimensions: 35.25"Wx29.5"x62"H(With Seed Skirt) : Pet Supplies[/ame]

This is one I've been looking at...or similar from same company (rowland direct is supplier, Mcage and others are middlemen). Half the price of Kings/Hendrix, still chinese made--says bird safe paint (not sure if i trust that) ...so what's the gotcha here? why is it so much less?