Update on Jack

[Sue13]

I have not been on for a while. We purchased a house in California and have been spending some time there. I am hoping to get Jack a CITES passport so that he can travel with us in December. It's a direct flight and it's just under 3 hours. He'd love the sun and warmth, I'm sure.

I thought I'd give you an update on Jack's health for the benefit of anyone else who has a macaw with upper respiratory infection:

As you may remember, Jack came to us as a retired breeder with a chronic upper respiratory infection. His symptoms are wheezing and runny nose. We think that part of the reason his URI has been so persistent is because of his previously poor diet, which consisted mainly of nuts and seed mix. He likely suffers from Vitamin A deficiency from the poor diet which reduces the immune functions.

We switched his diet to Harrisson's high potency, amongst other things. He just loves those kibbles! In addition, he has been getting immune bosters which include Vitamin A. Jack has been on Baytril for going on 2 months. He has slightly improved and gained some weight. Based on all the symptoms and his slight improvement, we don't think that he has a fungal infection ... thank goodness. We are now switching to another, stronger antibiotic. I will cross my fingers that the new antibiotics will speed up his recovery.

As to his personality, he has become a really sweet guy. Amazing, considering that he was a breeder for 15 years or so. At the vet's today, he once again stepped right up for the assistant. He's got such good manners

Anyhow, that's it for now.

[KimM]

Aww. Sounds great! I hope you can get him here. Sounds like he is doing well. And as for that sweetness and manners, I've heard that's the way these guys are, plus I'd say you had something to do with that "mom".

[huntress]

what a great story. I didnt know you could get a Cites passport for birds. where does one get info on this.

[Irish]

Here is a good site for the information about importing birds into the U.S., huntress. Hope this helps.

APHIS Web -- Importing a Pet Bird