Salvin's Touche - Update

[FoxersArtist]

Touche came from the same home as BFA Sadie and when he first arrived, we feared that he would end up having an intense battle with chonic sinusitis like his cousins the african greys. Thankfully, when we did our first sinus flush with Touche, we quickly realized that the infection is localized and has not spread deep into the sinus cavity as was the case with the greys. We started weekly flushes and the vet gave Touche a vitamin shot. We decided to make diet change a priority for this little guy because many birds, especially amazons seem to suffer sinus trouble when they are lacking certain vitamins in their diet. Touche's health has improved a lot, including a lot more strength in his whole body and next to no discharge from his nose. When we first got him, he could not perch and spent his time sitting down at the bottom of the cage on a heating pad. As he grew in strength, Touche eventually moved up to a steady perch and is now a perch potato instead of a floor potato. In all seriousness - Touche is moving around now much more than he was and has even started to explore the idea of toys! Because he had been kept in a cockatiel sized cage for many, many years, his muscles were super weak and unable to hold his weight. He does not threaten to fall now when we step him up and this seems to have gained a lot for his level of confidence - so much so that he bit me a few days ago, causing the entire half of my right hand to go numb. Ah well - the pinky was already numb from a macaw bite I got earlier in the month. Touche, you rock!

When we first got him:


Still confortable sitting on the bottom:


...And he's up!:


Here is a photo of him this afternoon (I took him out with a stick THIS time!):


-Anna

[debbielabella]

what a difference, his feathers all ruffled in the before pictures he looks very sick and unhappy. He looks a little devilish in the last picture, he looks so much stronger! you've got a great attitude about using a stick for him to step up, happy to hear he's got his spunk back!

[Emmilyy]

He's looking great! I'm glad to hear he's doing so much better!

[Valo's Moirana]

He looks soooo much better. Way to go, handsome

[brdfvr]

Wow, what a handsome boy! He even looks younger! And those feathers, WOW, WOW, WOW! Man, that beak was brutal. So glad he's doing so well. Definitely a testament to the great care you give every single bird. Way to go!

[expressmailtome]

He is so handsome! A stupid question but have you tried a platform perch like this: Squatters Platform Perch ? Then he could be up high and feel more secure.

Matt

[LovelySydney]

He looks wonderful - he's so pretty!!!

[FoxersArtist]

A great suggestion Matt. Touche has a flat perching area in his cage where his "feeding station" is. The cage was designed with a long flat perch where the food bowls slide in on a feeding tray. When Touche first started exploring the top of his cage, that's where he hung out and then slowly branched out into the other perches. Still, now I am curious to see what he might do with an individual flat perch. I might just give it a try. Thanks!
-Anna

Originally Posted by expressmailtome

He is so handsome! A stupid question but have you tried a platform perch like this: Squatters Platform Perch ? Then he could be up high and feel more secure.

Matt

[Newticus]

He looks SOOO much better. Way to go Touche and Anna!
I can only imagine how much better he feels without a nasty sinus infection. You are an angle, thank you for the work you do.

Melanie

[asulli]

He looks great! Great job on the beak! He looks a lot happier!