My Shadow's Vet Visit...

[janetlee]

I took her to the vet today (Shadow is my Tiel) and they removed the red "bump" that was next to her beak. It wasn't there on Friday and was suddenly there on Saturday ! Anyway, the Doc called it a tumor and said that it may or not be cancerous....he removed it and it looked like a little ball of yelow fat. She is now on antibiotics for the possible "secondary" infection that could come from the removal of the tumor. I am worried...but I am hoping for the best...thanks to monica for your feedback the last time...any other words of wisdom anybody ?
Janet

[primrose04]

Janet,
I'm sure the vet knows what he/she is doing. It sounds like a fatty tumor or just an ingrown feather like we get ingrown hairs. Don't always think the worst. Give her lots of love and attention. When did the vet say when the results would be back?

[janetlee]

Actually he didn't send it off for testing...he just said that hopefully, if it was cancer, we'd gotten in time before it metasticized (did I spell that right ?).
It didn't look weird...just looked like a little blob of fat...Dr. Ford used to be one of the vets at Gulf World (a sea world type place) and they had all kinds of birds there. The only vet I know that is supposed to be an "Avian" vet is VERY expensive and I feel AWFUL to have to say that she is above my ability to pay...YES, my Shadow (and Peeper) ARE worth every penny to me, but I am afraid that the money decisions are not solely up to me. I am on SSI disability and so I can honestly say that I just don't have the means. I do try to put her ahead of myself, but my Mom lives with me too and she has things she needs and can't afford to get either. I've been on some boards where the members can be quite harsh and critical because of this. They say I shouldn't have birds if I can't afford to take them to the avian vet....well, if I knew 8 years ago what i know now, I would have likely not accepted them. My niece was just a child and was irresponsible about taking care of them (Shadow and Peeper) and when I'd go to my sister's house i'd find them with not enough water, a dirty cage, and being ignored. When I'd see this, I'd raise cain about it and do what i could. When my sister was moving to another house, she asked me if I wanted them. I didn't want to see them go to other owners that might be as lax as my niece was and couldn't bear to think of them being not taken care of...I knew nothing about birds...I was ignorant. In some ways I guess I still am. I know that many don't want to hear my story and I don't blame them if they don't, but I just HAD to explain WHY my Shadow wasn't taken to the avian vet. I'm doing the best that I can, so please don't think that i don't love my birds or that i am selfish and cruel. I am not seeking anything but advice about my birds' health and not seeking "charity" or "pity". Thank you all for your taking time to reassure me about my Shadow...she (and Peeper)is my heart !!!

[The Outlaw]

Janetlee:

It is important that you do the BEST you can do. No one expects for you to do more than that. We will all lose pets along the way for various reasons. Frankly, I've just had a friend invest about $4,000 in avian vet bills trying to save her GW, who just recently passed anyway. They aren't miracle workers, they simply have extra training that conventional general vets don't have.

You probably did more than MOST pet owners on behalf of your bird. You don't owe anyone any explanation. Its your pet and your call.

For the record, many general vets work with avian vets. They will frequently consult and even have lab work done through them. Having sat in Dr. Zantop's office so often waiting for treatment on the GW, its quite scary knowing that ANY disease may be sitting right beside you. Good avian vets are quite scarce and as a result tend to treat the worst cases. The general vets send those cases to them.

THE OUTLAW

[LMPego]

Bless you for adopting those birds. That's a lot more than most people would do.

[janetlee]

It is sooooooooo refreshing to have bird lovers that understand me and my tweeties ! :D
Shadow is not feeling up to par, but she is eating and drinking and is getting lots of love !
Thank you all !
Most Sincerely, Janet