Is it even worth doing?

[Jag]

I got the aloe vera juice on my way home from work tonight. I wll mix with half water, and pick up a reptile heating bulb tomrrow morning on my way home. I have to get Ziva sized food anyway. I tried to give her some of the Harrison's samples I got (most are too big for the conures). She dropped or threw them, though. I couldn't tell if she was plucking or not, but I have found more down feathers (like five) and it looks like a few of the 'just in' pin feathers on her belly are gone. I also noticed that there is a part on the upper part of one wing she has down showing. However, the down coming in on the upper chest she 'appears' to be leaving alone. I hope that the aloe mists will help calm some of it. Is Avi calm or any of the other ones worth anything? I wish they made birdie Ecollars..although I'm sure this would just stress her out more. Still no toy playing, but I did get a little 'doll' which has a 'skirt' made of smaller 'broom like' material that is supposed to encourage preening. Is it a good idea to introduce her to it soon?

Lori...
If showering/changing clothes etc. isn't a quarantine that's doing any good (because I don't have seperate circulation.)... is it worth anything to keep her apart for another 6 weeks? Each bowl is washed seperatly from all the others, and the bowls are 'bird specific'.. no sharing even if they are clean. I also keep 'her food' downstairs with her to avoid cross contamination. However, if the 'joke's on me' and it's doing no good... then what is the point? Also, can you PM me the name and phone number to yor vet? The closest certified avain vet I can find is Louisville (2.5 hours one way), Indianapolis (same amount of drive) and Toledo.. which is a four hour one way trip. I'd hate to drive all that way to find out they aren't good vets.

I'm assuming from what I've read the only way to get her to stop the swearing is to totally ignore it. Or is it?? She hasn't sworn at me... just a lot of burping, hello, hi.. and once "I love you". Plus a few "Ziva good girl". Haven't had her growl at me since Friday. I am going to call the vet's office again before I go to bed.. for results and also to fight again for the $300 dollar difference. I know that docs and vets don't always seem to know what their charges are, but when we talked, and I told him the price I was given he nodded and said "Plus the chalmydia." I've gone over and over the bill, and I don't see how they came up with $230 even if you took it to bare bones. I'm going to lose the battle... I know it. I also want to know if any of the results are in. Let me know what you think about the quarantine... such as it is.

Thanks!

[becca623]

Jag, I thing I wanted to mention is that I have used aloe vera juice. I told a breeder I know that I sometimes mix it with water when I spray them especially when they're experiencing a heavy molt. She said she stopped using aloe juice because Dr. Brian Speers told her that aloe juice can cause bacterial/fungal growth on their feathers. I still use it but sparingly. I mix an ounce with 18-20 ounces of water and I only use it once in a great while. After I do spray them with it, I spray them again with clear water. I don't know if many people have heard of this but I felt it was important to mention. Just as a warning.

[asulli]

Originally Posted by becca623

Jag, I thing I wanted to mention is that I have used aloe vera juice. I told a breeder I know that I sometimes mix it with water when I spray them especially when they're experiencing a heavy molt. She said she stopped using aloe juice because Dr. Brian Speers told her that aloe juice can cause bacterial/fungal growth on their feathers. I still use it but sparingly. I mix an ounce with 18-20 ounces of water and I only use it once in a great while. After I do spray them with it, I spray them again with clear water. I don't know if many people have heard of this but I felt it was important to mention. Just as a warning.

Rebecca this is great information to know. My girls have not started molting, but I had thought of doing just that minus the rinsing. Thanks.

[Jag]

Thanks for the info! I was given this idea from others that have used it on a plucking grey with drier skin. Her bare skin appears very dry. I'll see what those that have used it for a long time think about the fungal thing.

[Michelle & Fids]

Originally Posted by becca623

She said she stopped using aloe juice because Dr. Brian Speers told her that aloe juice can cause bacterial/fungal growth on their feathers.

Have to add a ditto on this, because my Vet also said the same thing.

BTW- You mentioned a Vet in Toledo, I'm assuming it was Dr Susan Orosz at the Bird & Exotic Pet Wellness Center. I bet you can find one closer, but if not she is good.

[LovelySydney]

I dont have seperate circulation in my home. I had Oliver upstairs and Neko downstairs. Oliver was in the landing area, not in a room with the door closed. Neko was in a room downstairs on the opposite end of the house but also not with the door closed. I still did the 45 day quarantine, just to be sure. I guess if it really didnt "count" since they are in breathing the same air and one another essentially, than at least I know they are not sick and have not infected one another. Does that make sense?

[Kachina]

Make sure the reptile bulb you pick up is teflon-free. A lot of them are coated with teflon. The only brand of heat emitter they say for sure on their site in the FAQ has no teflon is Zoomed's ceramic emitter.

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by Kachina

Make sure the reptile bulb you pick up is teflon-free. A lot of them are coated with teflon. The only brand of heat emitter they say for sure on their site in the FAQ has no teflon is Zoomed's ceramic emitter.

I almost had a heart attack reading this thread till I got to this and ran up to check the box for Money's bulb - Zoomed.. thanks Kachina!

[TAGyourIT]

Since I am dealing with two plucked birds right now...I feel your pain. The only non plucked bird is my TAG.

Here is what I have done (and it seems to be working, they are both growing feathers back great)

1. Vet visit, we checked everything... they are both healthy.
2. Avi-X soother spray, I got it from my vet. My Scarlet Macaw had skin that sounds like your greys. It just seemed really rough and dry. (It seems much better now, I have had her a few weeks) I spray her with the soother spray 3x a day.
3. I did the "tough love" switch to Harrisons Pellets.
4. Pluck no More in their water. (I dont spray them with it like it says, I just use it in the water)
5. Lots of different kinds of toys that I change often. None of my birds seemed to be toy crazy when I first got them. They all love their toys now though. You just have to pay attention to the "type" they like best.
6. I use the featherlite bulbs on a timer
7. Air purifiers
8. I run humidifiers that I got at the thrift store. (About $2 each) I keep them on the same timer that the lights are on.
9. Plenty of sleep.
10. Lots of showers (I rotate daily who gets to shower with me. I also take them on them outside and mist them with the water hose. Not everyday, but often)
So far it seems to be working...

[Angelsmum]

On the QT issue, as so many illnesses are airborne I feel that QT is useless unless in different air spaces but is a great time to get to know and bond with your bird.