Greenwing with scissor beak!!!!

[crystaljoe2003]

I have just been informed that my Greenwing has Scissor Beak!!I have made an appointment with our avian vet to be checked out on friday, Can anyone tell me what questions to ask the vet? I am not experienced with this and need as much info as possible. Also, does anyone have any advice for me that may help with the situation? This will be the first vet appointment for our greenwing who is 14 weeks old, I plan on getting his nails clipped and I am wondering what else I should get done to insure my baby stays healthy? Again any advice is must appreciated! Thank you, Skittles mommy!!

[Valo's Moirana]

i would expect a full physical examination (including ears, eyes, beak, feet, vent etc), a fecal and a full blood panel if it's the first visit. (the blood panel is helpful to check for health, but also to establish a baseline in case mr. birdie would get sick later on)

regarding the beak - i've little experience with scissor beak, but i know some people on here have... so i'll wait for them to answer. maybe a photo of the baby's beak would be helpful.
questions to ask - well, that's an open field: anything you'd like to know. but regarding the beak, i'd ask whether regular beak trims are necessary, if there's things you can provide to help with the beak etc.

not much, but i hope it helped a little

[RMSacha]

The beak can be corrected/altered... it may take repeated "groomings" by an avian vet and depending on the severity, it may a constant issue during the birds life. If the alignment is mild, there are massage techniques that can help align it...

Good Luck.

[birdsnreps]

i had a devastating experience with a gw wtih a scissor beak. pm me if you wanna know the details. to make things short, after months of the physical and emotional anguish, and a vet bill of about $2000, and yes, they were giving me a deal with discounts, we still werent able to align the bird's beak 100%, and she will need lifetime beak trims.

[birdlady49]

Originally Posted by RMSacha

The beak can be corrected/altered... it may take repeated "groomings" by an avian vet and depending on the severity, it may a constant issue during the birds life. If the alignment is mild, there are massage techniques that can help align it...

Exactly. The bird is young enough so it might be able to be corrected by an experienced avian vet. Otherwise, beak trims every few months will probably be required. Don't ever chance a scissor beak trim to a groomer or a petstore!

[RMSacha]

Originally Posted by birdlady49

Exactly. The bird is young enough so it might be able to be corrected by an experienced avian vet. Otherwise, beak trims every few months will probably be required. Don't ever chance a scissor beak trim to a groomer or a petstore!

Also, depending on where the misalignment is originating, it may be a simple procedure—again, done by a avian vet, that may only take a few visits...Birdlady is 100% right... under no circumstances should an attempt to correct this be done by a groomer or pet store... First, they don't have malpractice insurance in the event something goes really bad but they lack the background in avian physiology, psychology, and medical practices...and the facilities to do a procedure like this.

Again, good luck...

[Riley0527]

I have two birds with scissor beaks. One is a 3 year old B&G who looks like she's always smiling and an unknown age Bluethroat Macaw who in addition to being a scissor beak is missing half her bottom beak.

I would not chance the grooming with anyone other than your vet. Both of mine are so used to be being handled it doesn't bother them to get the beaks trimmed. I do get them trimmed about every six weeks.

I wouldn't put your GW through the stress of trying to correct the beak..just realize he/she will need a little extra grooming.

In addition, I also found a cage where the bars run perpendicular rather than parallel which made it easier for her to climb around. It turned out to be a huge cage too!

[SDavid]

"I have just been informed that my Greenwing has Scissor Beak!!"

What do you mean "informed"? I've seen pics of macs with scissor beak and it looks pretty obvious to spot. For anyone who knows, can it be so slight that only someone with expertise and a keen eye can spot it?

[sassie]

Is it something your prepaird to commit to for a lifetime?
Did you meet the baby before it became "yours?"

[RMSacha]

Originally Posted by sassie

Is it something your prepaird to commit to for a lifetime?
Did you meet the baby before it became "yours?"

I have to be honest... I backed out of buying a Hy that had a curved beak, it hurt like heck but you should get/pay for what you want and what you are happy with... There are always going to be more babies and I took a substantial loss when I backed out but, I realized that first, I would always have an issue with it, and second, I would be spending MORE money having to frequent an avian vet...The curve was a major issue to me, along with the fact that it had a microchip implanted which I really was not too keen on.

My advice... if you can live with this—great! If you're questioning your purchase—move on and wait.