Parrots & Vets

[natzback]

I would like to know exactly waht tests,etc NEED to be done at the vet's.
I'd like to get all my guys done and updated but don't want to pay for anything unnecessary.
Any suggestions would be great!

**What about the disease testing thru avian biotech? Would a vet accept that and then vacinate? Just a thought.

I did get most of my guys switched over to Roudybush as they suggested tough

[wildvet]

before you visit your vet you must prepare a record book for your pet.. date and your complaint... its like a diary for your bird...

and for the tests, it is good for future use to have the birds blood values be examined. the hospital can do that.. just on your first visit when the bird is healthy.. so that the next time around you visit for any problem in the animal you can easily pinpoint what wrong.. although there are books who can guide the normal blood values, but each animal vary and this little variation might be important for the animal.

if its going to cost you more then just test for what you can afford as of the moment and others next time... like, blood cell count today and next time around for other tests.

[wildvet]

if you have time for your animal everyday, you can easily tell that there is something wrong.. once you feel that kind of instinct that your bird is ill visit the vet right away and they know what to do, which depends on the clinical history or signs of the animal.

no tests really a must for vets. but it is better for you to check all for future use. just give your bird proper nutrition, which include good food and vitamins. and vaccination is a must if your area has certain viral diseases.

[kellywess]

First of all what I do with new birds in my home is give them a chance to "destress" and settle in. Usually a week or two before I take them for their first vet visit. My vet gives them a thorough physical exam and then we do a gram stain and white and red blood count. If those things come back fine... I leave it at that. Please be careful as some exotic vets will recommend a whole bunch of unecessary tests on the first time "nervous" bird owner. For the vet visit, gram stain, red/white blood count it cost me about $160.00. If you want to "sex" your bird most vets charge around $50.00. There is a kit you can buy at most pet shops between $25 & $35 that you mail in and you get the results back with a certificate within about two weeks after sending it in.

[wildirish]

Please be careful as some exotic vets will recommend a whole bunch of unecessary tests on the first time "nervous" bird owner.

no tests really a must for vets

I know others who will disagree with waiting for testing as birds are very good at hiding illnesses. Whenever we get a bird here they run a full battery of tests, blood work, to check WBC, full chem panel, which includes, Chlamidia, Psitticosis, Asper, in the blood work they also check liver and kidney functions, also gram stains and cultures are done. It usually runs about 250-300, but well worth it to avoid possible illnesses in the rest of our birds, which would cost a lot more if I had to medicate them all because of of one!

These are not "unnecessary"tests, as others here can attest to, testing needs to be done!

Way too many times birds that looked and acted healthy were sick and without Quaretine have gotten other birds in the home sick as well.

The only statement so far that I agree with that was given, is that by doing the blood work up front and then yearly the first 2-3 will give the vets a baseline to notice if something is off.

Without trying to sounds harsh or mean, please do not tell others that testing is not needed, what you do in your home is up to you, but I think it is irresponsible to tell others not to test or that testing is unnecessary! I am sure that Lisa and others will chime in here, and if you search this site you find plenty of situations where no vet visit, no Q and then find a sick bird, and people have lost birds due to hidden illensses!

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by wildirish

I know others who will disagree with waiting for testing as birds are very good at hiding illnesses. Whenever we get a bird here they run a full battery of tests, blood work, to check WBC, full chem panel, which includes, Chlamidia, Psitticosis, Asper, in the blood work they also check liver and kidney functions, also gram stains and cultures are done. It usually runs about 250-300, but well worth it to avoid possible illnesses in the rest of our birds, which would cost a lot more if I had to medicate them all because of of one!

These are not "unnecessary"tests, as others here can attest to, testing needs to be done!

!

I do all the following as well, and I am not a nervous new parront, but an old school, educated and experienced one.

Its very important to have any new birds tested and quarenteened to make sure you are not introducing a disease, deadly or otherwise into your flock and home.

[Sashagirl]

Originally Posted by wildirish

I know others who will disagree with waiting for testing as birds are very good at hiding illnesses. Whenever we get a bird here they run a full battery of tests, blood work, to check WBC, full chem panel, which includes, Chlamidia, Psitticosis, Asper, in the blood work they also check liver and kidney functions, also gram stains and cultures are done. It usually runs about 250-300, but well worth it to avoid possible illnesses in the rest of our birds, which would cost a lot more if I had to medicate them all because of of one!

These are not "unnecessary"tests, as others here can attest to, testing needs to be done!

Way too many times birds that looked and acted healthy were sick and without Quaretine have gotten other birds in the home sick as well.

The only statement so far that I agree with that was given, is that by doing the blood work up front and then yearly the first 2-3 will give the vets a baseline to notice if something is off.

Without trying to sounds harsh or mean, please do not tell others that testing is not needed, what you do in your home is up to you, but I think it is irresponsible to tell others not to test or that testing is unnecessary! I am sure that Lisa and others will chime in here, and if you search this site you find plenty of situations where no vet visit, no Q and then find a sick bird, and people have lost birds due to hidden illensses!

I agree with what Tammy said why take any chances.I do take my birds and have them tested for numerous things as well as quarantine them NO BIRD IS EXEMPT FROM DISEASE!

Marcia

[phonelady61]

I totally agree with sashagirl and wildirish .

[DarwinTheSun]

I definitely think some tests are necessary. My vet did a full blood panel which serves several purposes. Not all tests are done to check for diseases, but also to give baseline information about your particular bird. If your bird becomes sick in the future, you have some information on what levels were like before. It isn't like dogs and cats, where they have tons of information on normal levels (different species have differing levels of normal).

If this is the only bird in your home, you might be able to pass on the communicable disease tests, but if it is there wouldn't it be better to know and treat it before it becomes a problem?

Oh, and my vet wouldn't even run the tests until my bird had been home and settled for two weeks, because she says that levels fluctuate under periods of stress. That might be something else to discuss with your vet.

[Eliza]

Originally Posted by wildirish

I know others who will disagree with waiting for testing as birds are very good at hiding illnesses. Whenever we get a bird here they run a full battery of tests, blood work, to check WBC, full chem panel, which includes, Chlamidia, Psitticosis, Asper, in the blood work they also check liver and kidney functions, also gram stains and cultures are done. It usually runs about 250-300, but well worth it to avoid possible illnesses in the rest of our birds, which would cost a lot more if I had to medicate them all because of of one!

These are not "unnecessary"tests, as others here can attest to, testing needs to be done!

I agree. For me, it's a case of better safe than sorry. The expense kind of bites but I'd do it for a human child, why not for my feathered one?