Having an Avian Vet come to my home

[phoebe]

I made a thread about Loki my rescue budgie who has had a stoke. I am considering having the vet come to my home. She did confirm she makes house calls. I still have to iron out the details because it's always so hard to get info. I talked to the vet a few times when I was having my cat examined (Nike) then when I was having Phoebe the female cat examined. Both times the answers were sketchy at best. When I had emerald examined I said that it was probably best to have her come to my home for Loki. Somehow she still evaded a clear answer. I think I may not be doing this right.

I said "I know they keep saying it's more to have you come to my home but how much more?" I can't remember the exact answer I got but it was definitely not clear. I think I need to prepare my questions in advance on a piece of paper and ask them in way that ensures I get an answer. My children are at an age where their careers ask a lot of them. If not I'm sure this would be much easier for one of them to negotiate.

The longer I put this off the more Loki worries me. I'm also thinking of everything I need to prepare in my home like a table for examination. I want something on the window that cuts light out more for capturing the bird safely. I have a scale and nail clippers and also powder to stop bleeding. What would you purchase for the vet visit?

The thing is a bird that has had a stroke is very fragile. A second stroke could cause permanent epilepsy. If the bird were to start falling off her perch and having seizures all the time this would be a big problem. My neighbor complains about everything, even when I use my treadmill. She wants to live in a monastery. If my bird was involuntarily screeching in the night I can't imagine the fit my neighbor would have. It's also a very probable outcome of examining her. I am wondering how to make this the easiest possible and what exams are an absolute must on her. I would like to have her tested for parasites in the throat due to some sounds she makes at times. It could be that she swallows seed funny at times but just to be sure. (Also her nails really need clipping)

Thanks to anyone who can help me think out loud on this.

Will post pics and video when they upload to photobucket.

Film s1055.photobucket.com/user/bbbirdie/media/Lokihowsheisdoing005_zps980629f4.mp4.html

[Hezz]

Sorry, Phoebe. I am not sure what you are asking except cost of a vet visit, and what to have available. Surely if the vet does house calls they would come fully prepared with the equipment necessary. Other than that I can't help, sorry.

[budgiefriend]

I would love to find an avian vet that makes house calls. There are some dog and cat vets that do, but no avian. Let us know how it works out. I agree that the vet should bring everything needed for the examination. A house call would be so much easier on Loki (and you).

[stace]

It depends what issues the bird has, Phoebe. If it's something that can be established with a mere physical exam, it might be okay. But mostly avian vets need to look at crop swabs and poop samples under a microscope, as well as getting tests done on them sometimes. I doubt a house vet would carry a microscope with them, for example. That's not to mention any need for x-rays. I'm sure they would have a small bag of kit to do basics such as nail clipping though. They may be able to take poop and crop samples and then call you back.

My avian vet has a remote service where people can post poop samples to him for examination. He'll then do the consult by phone. It's not as good as going in to the surgery for a visual exam, but there a lot of people with birds, even chickens and whatnot, who live a long way out of town.

[phoebe]

Dec 12, 2013 4:40:57 GMT stace said:

It depends what issues the bird has, Phoebe. If it's something that can be established with a mere physical exam, it might be okay. But mostly avian vets need to look at crop swabs and poop samples under a microscope, as well as getting tests done on them sometimes. I doubt a house vet would carry a microscope with them, for example. That's not to mention any need for x-rays. I'm sure they would have a small bag of kit to do basics such as nail clipping though. They may be able to take poop and crop samples and then call you back.

My avian vet has a remote service where people can post poop samples to him for examination. He'll then do the consult by phone. It's not as good as going in to the surgery for a visual exam, but there a lot of people with birds, even chickens and whatnot, who live a long way out of town.

Stace thanks so much I am often hard to understand and you got me 100%. It's the kind of thing I have to ask "What can she and can't she do here" I don't want to multiply visits with this bird if I can avoid it.

I guess having had a stroke myself, I feel like I am fighting my own demise with this bird. Look how far she has come from dragging a leg and having her wings hang down. It lasted about 48 hours. Half my face fell for about the same period of time.