Life with Sylvester

[JThw8]

Just thought I would take a moment to update the status on the new fid.
So far about 70% of his tests are back from the avain vet and all is good so far. Still waiting on the DNA sexing, avian herpes and PDD results.

He is still a somewhat finicky eater. Really chows down on the pellet, seed, dried fruit and veggie mix I leave in the cage but is not taking well to fresh fruits and veggies or cooked foods....absolutely terrified of grapes still. I keep trying every day hoping he will warm up to them. He did go nuts for corn muffins though so I will make a nice broccoli corn muffin mix for him with the next batch.

I hate quarantine, I feel so bad having him separated from the activities of the house. But he has been spending time in the office with me at night and came and "supervised" me as I did some work on the new game room in the basement. As long as Im in his line of sight he is happy and content. We also spend time in his room watching a little TV each night. He loves to run around the bed and tonight he ran up to me, beak to nose as I layed on the bed...and then tucked his head under my chin for a snuggle. He is an amazingly loving and trusting fid. Still afraid of wifeydear but she tries to take time to just talk gently to him in the cage and Im sure he will warm up to her. He is saying "Hi" more often and starting to mumble some other things so more speach is on the way Im sure. He watches Nickelodeon all day so Im not sure what will come out of him next :)

Still doesnt seem to play much in his cage but Im sure he is still adjusting. I'm going to get some good destruction toys...pinatas and such and see how he feels about them. So far he only seems interested in eating the buttons on my shirt which is just a no-no on so many levels.

Well, thats the latest report, he's doing great and I dont know how these beautiful sweet fids have remained a secret for so long, he is just so utterly amazing each and every day.

[spectre]

Congrats again.
I second the secret thing. They are such an incredible species of macaw, I can't imagine life without one, I think RFs have a unique ability to bring smiles to faces.

[The Outlaw]

Actually, you are waiting for PBFD results. There is no test for PDD short of a crop biopsy. You are screening for Pssiticine Beak and Feather Disease.

I'm so glad that everything is going so well. It's wonderful when they exceed our expectations. I know each of my birds is a marvel and a wonder in their own right.

Jim, I make a toy with lots of paper coasters and soft pine that most birds really like. You might want to give them a try. Also, many young birds like to chew on rawhide strips (make sure they are tanned in the USA and veggie dyed). They are the teething rings of baby macaws.

[JThw8]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

Actually, you are waiting for PBFD results. There is no test for PDD short of a crop biopsy. You are screening for Pssiticine Beak and Feather Disease.
Jim, I make a toy with lots of paper coasters and soft pine that most birds really like. You might want to give them a try.

Doh...yes that is what I meant...late night typing, fuzzy brain and all.

I will have to get some more info from you about the toys, I definitely want to try some different things with him. He is totally disinterested in his current toys and doesnt seem to like his swing either :(

[Rue]

Thanks for the update...I was wondering how it was going...

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

Actually, you are waiting for PBFD results. There is no test for PDD short of a crop biopsy. You are screening for Pssiticine Beak and Feather Disease.

.

Just a quick question. I know the only way to know for sure of pdd is the crop biopsy, but isnt the first step of dignosis with pdd a barium test?

I know of someone who's bird was supposedly diganosed with pdd, but did not do any of the tests we talked of. simply the word of the non board certified avian vets here in Jersey. I wont bad mouth, cuz several people on the board her use him. However, the person who had this diagnosis, did not heed my advise to use a board certified avian vet, and I dont know the outcome since she refused to talk to me, after I told her she needed to have tests run, and what you said in the first place.



Jim....I'm glad things are going well with Sylvester.