Regular avian checks, anyone?

[stace]

I just got a card in the mail from my avian vet, reminding me that Boo is due for his yearly health check. (Actually he's a few month's early with the reminder, but that's beside the point)

I was wondering. Does anyone on here take their birds for a regular yearly check-up? Is it a good idea or a waste of time/money?

[mizloco]

I would like to know the answer to this too as I will do it I'd recommended.

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[nat]

Personaly I wouldn't spend my money on it as its easily done at home by yourself. You need to write a check list before catching your budgie. This is my budgie MOT list.

1. Check through his feathers to look for lumps, cysts and growths and any bald patches.

2. Check his vent for cleanliness. Any discolouration of feathers could indicate his poops are, or have been bad. Look for any swelling around the vent as this could be a sign of illness. Also check his recent poops.

3. Check his eyes are clear and have no discharge, same for his nares and look for signs of scaly face.

4. Check his beak is clean and not overgrown. (which is unusual but sometimes the odd bird has a quick growing beak)and might need a vet check incase of an underlying cause.

5. Check his claws are not too long and trim if needed with nail clippers.

6. It will be clear if he has any fractures to wings, legs, claws anyway.

7. Feel around the breastbone to see that he is not too thin or too fat.

8. Apply annual dose of ivermectin.

9. Your budgie may be stressed while you are doing this so breathing abnormaly, but when he is relaxed in his cage listen for any unusual breathing noises such as a squeak.

10. Hopefully everything is ok so relax with a cuppa and plan how you're going to spend the £40 you just saved :-D

[Nani]

this is great thank you!

[mizloco]

Hey Nat if I make you a cuppa and nice biscuits you don't fancy checking mine for me. I can't catch them.

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[skysmum]

Mine have NEVER even been to the vet, Jo is 11 and the others are 7 but if i was worried at all i wouldn't hesitate. I wouldn't pay out for regular check up's if i felt all was well.

[Marianne Marlow]

That is a great list Nat. Thank you

[nat]

Lol Mizloco, I can't catch mine either! What with 33 to do, a stiff drink is needed at the end rather than a cuppa lol ;-)

No probs Marianne :-)

[mizloco]

Oh you made it sound so easy too

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[nat]

Lol it is now, but I remember the days when I had just a few buds and it was a daunting task! When you have loads you just have to get on with it and it gets easier in time :-)

[mizloco]

There should be a budgie school for novices like me

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[Hezz]

Mar 12, 2013 18:14:37 GMT nat said:

Lol Mizloco, I can't catch mine either! What with 33 to do, a stiff drink is needed at the end rather than a cuppa lol

With 33 to do, and including the odd one who fakes death when you do, I would be needing the stiff drink BEFORE and after, Nat! That is a great check list too. It is stuff I realise now that I do on a almost daily basis, being pets that I over-indulge, and not in an aviary and therefore slightly removed. I make a point of catching my huge total of 3 every day and this has made things so much easier when it come to giving medicine or checking out something that may seem off, even if just a stuck poo.

But back to the original question, would I? No. I am not made of money, unfortunately. I am with Skysmum - won't hesitate if something seems off, but otherwise, no.

[stace]

Mar 12, 2013 17:57:29 GMT skysmum said:

Mine have NEVER even been to the vet, Jo is 11 and the others are 7 but if i was worried at all i wouldn't hesitate. I wouldn't pay out for regular check up's if i felt all was well.

I'm the same. I keep a good eye on things and have only made the vet trip when I thought something was wrong.

Just reading the card I got in mail. The check-up includes a faecal wet smear to tests for worms, parasites, infectious organisms. A faecal gram stain for bacteria and yeasts. Then possibly a throat and droppings culture test for specific bacteria, yeasts and fungi and to pick up subtle health problems, nutritional deficiencies and stress. An optional Psittacosis test. And if signs of unwellness, blood tests for cholesterol levels and liver function.

Ka-ching! Ka-ching! Plus, given my vet is more than an hour's drive away, it's not something I want to do for no reason.

I know some people do it. I guess it gives them a kind of yearly peace of mind. 

[BudgiesBuddy]

We don't have avian vets here, so I never thought about this option.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Mar 12, 2013 16:53:11 GMT nat said:

Personaly I wouldn't spend my money on it as its easily done at home by yourself. You need to write a check list before catching your budgie. This is my budgie MOT list.

1. Check through his feathers to look for lumps, cysts and growths and any bald patches.

2. Check his vent for cleanliness. Any discolouration of feathers could indicate his poops are, or have been bad. Look for any swelling around the vent as this could be a sign of illness. Also check his recent poops.

3. Check his eyes are clear and have no discharge, same for his nares and look for signs of scaly face.

4. Check his beak is clean and not overgrown. (which is unusual but sometimes the odd bird has a quick growing beak)and might need a vet check incase of an underlying cause.

5. Check his claws are not too long and trim if needed with nail clippers.

6. It will be clear if he has any fractures to wings, legs, claws anyway.

7. Feel around the breastbone to see that he is not too thin or too fat.

8. Apply annual dose of ivermectin.

9. Your budgie may be stressed while you are doing this so breathing abnormaly, but when he is relaxed in his cage listen for any unusual breathing noises such as a squeak.

10. Hopefully everything is ok so relax with a cuppa and plan how you're going to spend the £40 you just saved :-D

Very good post Nat