Cockatoo lump on face.

[kali]

I just called my avian vet and she told me not to buy him :(

She said this air pocket is a sign of a ruptured air sac which is a symptom of something else, whether it be poor diet, infection or disease.

I told her how I am building a case against them.

Just waiting to hear back from the Springvale Vet.

[kali]

Originally Posted by Greycloud

http://www.mcallister.com/avian.htmlk
Ok Kali, this is what I found out by a too expert. It is not a common occurance but can occur. Usually caused by some sort of trauma to the air sac or abuse. The air rises from the airsacs to higher points ie: the face and neck. It can easily be removed with a needle and syringe to relieve bird of discomfort. Here is a link to the medical condition.

link doesn't work :(

Oh, i just realised it's got a K on the end!!

http://www.mcallister.com/avian.html

funny how it is made from Teflon!

[RXK]

the pictures and your descriptions are really sad to hear! that poor bird in the wire cage without a single perch... my heart aches...

if i were you, i would get the SPCA involved even if the owner says he has "connections." those conditions are simply wrong. and, i would get in contact with other rescues, other animal rights organizations, and the police. this place needs to be shut down! and, the animals should be placed in proper loving homes... i've never seen a pet store like this before (here in Canada); makes me sick.

[kali]

it's not the owner that said he had connections, but a friend of mine.

If they are shut down (which i doubt it) the animals will go to the RSPCA.

On another note, i found another cockatoo yesterday that is being neglected. I tried to convince luke to let me get it, but no.

[jaded1313]

Oh My God. I think the black cockatoo in the crappy wire cage is either a Gang-Gang or a Red-Tailed Black. Bother of those go for like $12,000 in the US! I could kill them! Unappreciate #@!#$%$ Jerks! Fly me out there and I'll bring them both back and give them a DECENT cage! That's just criminal!
On the note of your little guy- you might call a news station (or paper) and tell them to do an expose. PETA in the US eats stuff like that up. Especially if you are in a small town that might go over. So try the news stations. Since cockatoos are like a national thing for you Aussies- the CRUEL treatment of them should attact some notice. Hopefully.

[kali]

He's a red tail black cockatoo. They still sell for $3000 here. You'd think, for the profit they make from that $3000 they could afford some perches and a toy. Or one perch and two toys...

I have a plan. I'm going to contact A Current Affair and Today Tonight. They are hack tv shows but people watch them religiously.. I'm also gonna send the same info to the police and the RSPCA. See who responds first.

Their vet rang me back today and confirmed that it's a serious situation for the Sulpur Crested cockatoo. He didn't actually do a proper examination the first time but after talking to him today he's going to try and convince them to bring him in for a 'scope' or something, where he finds the ruptured air sac and works out what is actually wrong. He was very informative and wants to make sure they look after him.

There are options.

1. Buy the bird, get them to pay for the scope and see where we go from there.

2. Forget about him and trust the vet to take it from here.

I could get the scope done and decide after that if i want the bird but would they just put him down if he was un-sellable? That's what worries me.

[Ashling]

Originally Posted by kali

If they are shut down (which i doubt it) the animals will go to the RSPCA.

How much do you think the RSPCA would charge for things like black cockatoos and macaws?...

Originally Posted by jaded1313

Since cockatoos are like a national thing for you Aussies- the CRUEL treatment of them should attact some notice. Hopefully.

I think the whole 'cockatoo as a national symbol' thing may have some standing... isn't a black cocky the symbol for something to do with sports? The black cockatoo in there pissed me off the most (second to that baby lorikeet with rock solid feathers). That is an ENDANGERED SPECIES. It is sickening.

[kali]

The whole thing is upsetting. I'm just glad that vet is on the case now. I don't think he was pulling my leg.

When i told him how the manager of the store tried to play it down and said it was nothing to worry about, he was shocked.

[Greycloud]

Keep up the the good work, Kali! Your sleuthing skills are paying off! The vet seems very concerned. If the store wants to euthanize have the vet call you and pay the medical bill and get the bird for free. It has happened to me. I was caring for a U2 baby at a Petsmart store I was working at. The bird had a failure to thrive problem and after vets explain founf out he had metal toxicity. The store did not want to pay for the birds medical bills and said to euthanize. The vet contacted me and I paid the bills and got the bird for free. He lived many years with me till my nasty ex hub made me rehome him due to noise. S.O.B.! But he went to a wonderful home and I still talk with the people. Good luck!

[kali]

Originally Posted by Greycloud

Keep up the the good work, Kali! Your sleuthing skills are paying off! The vet seems very concerned. If the store wants to euthanize have the vet call you and pay the medical bill and get the bird for free. It has happened to me. I was caring for a U2 baby at a Petsmart store I was working at. The bird had a failure to thrive problem and after vets explain founf out he had metal toxicity. The store did not want to pay for the birds medical bills and said to euthanize. The vet contacted me and I paid the bills and got the bird for free. He lived many years with me till my nasty ex hub made me rehome him due to noise. S.O.B.! But he went to a wonderful home and I still talk with the people. Good luck!

Oh, that's a good idea!