Interesting tidbit

[tweetiepiesmom]

I've mentioned in other threads that there is a general parrot Zoom meeting on Fridays that I like to listen to. Todays session was "Ask the Vet". An avian vet is online and people ask him all types of questions about their birds. He is a teaching and practicing vet at a major university in the US. Today someone said they live in an area without a certified avian vet but a number of local vets said they treat birds. The question was, 'how can someone tell if the vet is good to take you pet bird to'. This vet said look and listen for some telltale signs. Does the vet seem comfortable with you bringing in your bird for treatment. Are there any pictures of birds hanging in the office or pet bird magazines lying around. Does the vet belong to any avian societies. Anything that indicates the vet is interested in birds. When the vet handles your bird, does he/she seem comfortable. 

Since we do have folks who ask us questions and they say there is no avian vet nearby, I thought I'd pass this along.

[criswell]

That was a really good question for someone to to ask, and thank you for sharing the response.

[Loz]

Thank you TPM! Useful info.

[tweetiepiesmom]

This past Friday's webinar was presented by an organization that has been doing studies on the skeletal system of birds in the parrot family to better understand how it works and effects of injuries. They are located not far from me in Huntington Beach, Ca - yes, that's Surf City USA! One interesting tidbit is that there are nerves running through the top beak which they use to sense the world around them. They use the lower beak to bite and eat. Watch your budgie eating and you'll see this is true. The presenter said it is his opinion that beaks should never be trimmed for cosmetic reasons and after a trim, expect the bird's beak to be sore. Its not like us trimming our finger nails.

[ariella]

The webinars sound really informative and interesting tweetiepiesmom. Thank you for sharing.

[Hezz]

I always liken Loki’s reaction to new foods to the way snakes and goannas “taste” the air as a way of sensing what is around them. He opens his beak quite wide and bobs his head, moving his top beak around. And watch a love bird bite off strips of paper for nesting material - it’s all done by the bottom beak, and that is where all the power is. And again, I’ve watched Loki do the same when destroying a chunk of wood. The top beak holds it firm and the bottom beak does all the work.

Interesting seminars to be able to log into, for sure, TPM.

[criswell]

That's really interesting tweetiepiesmom .

It must contribute to them not liking being given medication since their beaks are very sensitive. I will definitely keep that in mind next time I have to give medicine.

[tweetiepiesmom]

I can't remember which thread I posted my question about Guardian Angel. I ordered some from a supplier here in the US. The jar has a label with "Best Before 31.12.20" on it and I wasn't sure if it was still good. I sent an email to the Bird Care Co and here's their answer:


Thank you for your email. I have spoken to my Technical Director, Malcolm Green, and he says as long as the powder is free flowing and a white(ish) colour, then this should be fine.

If you find when opening it, that it has got damp or the colour is not correct, then please do not use it.



Just a bit of a warning, as I am not sure if you have used Guardian Angel before, when adding the product to water, you will find that it becomes dark the longer you leave it in the water. This is quite normal.



I hope that this is of some help.

Best regards,

Charlotte Doheny,
Senior Advisor & Business Development Executive,
The Birdcare Company, DrS, CROCdoc/Calinnova Ltd,
Leading The Way-
Naturally

[ladybird]

I think it was in thread about Charlie moulting…. I will take a look.

[tweetiepiesmom]

From time to time people will come onto the forum asking about feather growth, especially if they have a new budgie who has clipped wing feathers. My 'take away' from today's webinar is that it usually takes about 6 weeks to grow a new feather, longer feathers may take a bit more time.

[tweetiepiesmom]

There was a critical bit of information on today's webinar that I just have to share! Apparently calcium interferes with the efficacy of many oral medications given to treat disease in birds. They (the guest vets) recommended taking away the calcium block during treatment. I think you should at least ask the vet if you should remove it during treatment. I hope everyone reading this will remember this so the next time someone with sick budgie being treated with oral meds ask for advice, you can point this out and suggest they ask their vet.

[Marianne Marlow]

When you say calcium block do you mean cuttlebone?

As mine have never had a calcium block, just an iodine one. But I do supplement their water with a little calcium once a week.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Yes, cuttlebone. Here in the US, you can also buy a calcium (mineral but its mostly calcium) block with iodine in it.

[Loz]

The Johnson's iodine block I use contains calcium as well as iodine and zinc.

Useful info TPM, thank you.

[tweetiepiesmom]

In today's webinar, the AV mentioned that honey is good for our pet birds, in moderation. Just like in humans it is good to boost their immune system. He said to drizzle a little (1/4 tsp to Tbl depending on the bird size) on their seed when they need an immune boost but not to do it over the long term. Just like you'd get fat if you ate a jar of honey everyday, so would your bird. I'm going to research this a bit and see what I can find out.