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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Nov 11, 2022 22:09:16 GMT
None of those sound good - hoping it turns out be something minor.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,782
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Nov 11, 2022 22:48:10 GMT
I hope it's something that can be treated.
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Post by Loz on Dec 6, 2022 12:39:26 GMT
An update on Squeak. She seems in very good health now. No worrying signs. She naps a little bit more than the boys do but not to an extent that concerns me at this time.
I never did hear more from the Vet. I am assuming that she was reluctant to engage further unless I booked an appointment with the practice. Perhaps fair enough but two unanswered emails from me was a little bit rude, I think, especially as her email to me implied that she would be in contact again. All part of the UK PLC ethic on customer service, I suppose.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,782
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Dec 6, 2022 14:28:53 GMT
I hope she continues to be well. A response to your email would have been nice.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Dec 6, 2022 15:40:58 GMT
Agree with Marianne Marlow, even if the email requested that you book an appointment.
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Post by Loz on Mar 15, 2023 16:20:15 GMT
The reason my exotic vet didn't respond - she's left the practice. Well, I won't have to go so far in future as I have a new vet, slightly more local. The good news is, he's experienced with budgies (although not an avian). The bad news is, he's only available locally on Mondays (and slightly less locally on Fridays).
I have an appointment booked for Monday for Squeak. She's had a quiet day, a lot of napping and a moderate tail-bob. Appetite still good. She has been active at times but I think she gets exhausted quickly. I shall see whether the new vet will take more of an interest in Squeak and hopefully be more proactive on the care front.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,782
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 15, 2023 16:33:53 GMT
I hope the appointment with Squeak goes well.
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Post by criswell on Mar 15, 2023 21:16:31 GMT
I hope Squeaks appointment with the new vet goes well.
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Post by ffiscool on Mar 15, 2023 23:13:02 GMT
good luck with the appointment
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Post by Loz on Mar 20, 2023 12:09:20 GMT
Mr Hibs was concerned that Squeak had been incarcerated, without formal charges: Squeak consulted her brief whilst the rest of the legal team looks on: There was sufficient concern that the entire community got involved. Even Chocobo popped in to see for herself but she did not stop for a photo op: In the end it was decided simply to await further developments: ***** Squeak has seen the vet, who impressed me with both his obvious intelligence and his knowledge of budgies. Much discussion of behaviours, symptoms and possible causes. He offered some fantastic words of wisdom. So I am to carry out a diagnostic process. With eight males and one Squeak, the vet was concerned that she was being overwhelmed by attention from the boys. Although Squeak has put some weight back on over the past couple of weeks, she is still underweight. The diagnostic is this: I will need to isolate Squeak and one other - the clear candidate is Mr Hibs - for two weeks, to see whether the calmer situation enables Squeak to recover more weight and more energy. If there are positive signs of recovery, we can be confident that there is no underlying illness as, aside from her weight, the vet had no concerns for her condition. There is no outward symptom of respiratory disease, no lumps, etc. If there's no improvement, intrusive tests are indicated, which the vet will undertake. If there is improvement, I have two options - make Squeak's isolation permanent is the first. To be honest, I find this option to be barely acceptable. Mr Hibs, while a committed partner to Squeak, has deep ties with the other budgies in the flock. If I don't chose Mr Hibs to join her - who? The second option would be to acquire a couple more females, to spread the load and give a singleton female a break from excessive attention. As you can imagine, I hate the thought of having to get more budgies I'm not certain the excessive attention is Squeak's problem but it's possible. I don't witness every interaction in the flock. Although Squeak is The Boss of the Budgies, it must still be wearing to be the focus of attention. We can see from the photos above how concerned the flock is when Squeak was caged on her own. I cannot start the isolation right now. I will need to clear Gurgeh first. Gurgeh's quarantine is due to end 2 April but I may move this forward a week in order to expedite Squeak's diagnostic. Gurgeh seems healthy enough, I think the risk of a shortened quarantine is warranted under the circumstances. With Gurgeh in GenPop, I can have Hibsy & Squeak in the Geo in my room. Who said keeping birds is easy?
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Post by blueelephant on Mar 20, 2023 12:52:11 GMT
I have two loz and they cause me huge stress. I'd be a wreck with a flock.
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Post by Loz on Mar 20, 2023 12:56:41 GMT
blueelephant, you just have to give up all thoughts of a personal life, energy for your own pursuits plus any tenuous hold you might still have on reality & sanity. These are minor sacrifices compared to what the flock gives you!
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Mar 20, 2023 15:03:05 GMT
The new vet does seem to be wise and insightful. Waiting to hear what happens and hoping for the simplest solution.
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Post by criswell on Mar 20, 2023 16:52:25 GMT
I'm glad the consultation went well and that you have found a knowledgeable vet. I hope the separation helps Squeak gain some weight, or that it gets you a step closer to diagnosing the problem.
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Post by Loz on Mar 22, 2023 18:20:40 GMT
Thoughts of how to separate Squeak from the flock for two weeks, and who will share her isolation, have been consuming me. I've been watching Squeak closely for the past two days, observing her behaviour & interactions as much as I can.
Today, she has given me no cause for concern. Her activity levels have been good, she's napped no more than any of the boys have and there's been no sign of tail-bob. In terms of interactions, she doesn't really get harassed by the boys at all. She's no more and no less "popular" than any other flock member and gets time to herself, same as any of the other budgies. I need to work out if Mr Hibs will be her cellmate in due course. The problem there is Hibsy has a special bond with Eeyore and with Hector plus he is the most gregarious of all the budgies, interacting with each of them throughout the day. Two weeks away from the flock will impact negatively on his quality of life - but it is only for two weeks. Squeak has bonds with Herman and Eeyore so they are both candidates but Herman & Eeyore cannot be separated. None of the other boys in the flock are suitable candidates, in my view. One odd-ball idea - instead of introducing Gurgeh to the flock at the end of his quarantine, have Squeak join him. Improved QoL for Gurgeh but at the cost of parting Squeak and Mr Hibs. Another though - separate out Squeak, Mr Hibs, Eeyore & Herman together. Eeyore & Herman will concentrate on each other, rather than Squeak. Maybe. It will be hard on Hector but at least he'll have Finrod. Hmm.
I am way-overthinking this but I can't stop!
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