Missa818

I just wanted to get a feel for how other avian vets are for you guys, because I am doubting my vet. I haven't taken Raz in for a checkup in a long time because every time I went, he would get a negative gram stain and have to be put on meds (which I would rather not just immediately start shoving drugs down my bird's throat)...I shadowed his vet for 3 months and she ALWAYS diagnosed this for clients. There wasn't a bird that could come in and go out the door all fine and dandy. It was a 400 dollar adventure because you knew the checkup would inevitably lead to another problem. Is my vet psycho (or maybe just greedy?) or do birds just get sick all the time? What are your vet visits like? Raz has been acting perfectly normal but I would really just like a general checkup. Should I find a new vet? Thanks for any input!

Razzy has done quite a few things that took me aback. One I can remember is I was getting ready for prom and he was watching me on the shower curtain. I got my dress on and was primping when he said "Look sharp!" Laughed my butt off.:laugh: Also, he reminds me to let the dogs out with a random "Go outside?" every once in awhile. Lastly, when we go to clip his nails, he runs around on the floor yelling "No no! Help!", which is sad, but funny at the same time. I just was surprised that he correlated something not fun with saying "No" and "Help". We never said those words to him directly. Greys are so much fun. Be assured you will have moments like we are all describing, probably when you least expect it.<br><br>Post edited by: Missa818, at: 2008/08/27 22:43

Raz loves salsa music and most of all, Frank Sinatra. I think he enjoys the quick beat and the trumpets. 'Course, he loves any kind of music with a "techno" feel as well. All the beeps and funny noises are irresistible to head bob to.:laugh: Icegudi: Cute video, Raz enjoyed as well!

I would imagine as long as you are consistent with your labeling of objects (using only one language for each object or action) she shouldn't get confused. If you are telling her "step up" in English, then Icelandic, then Swedish, well, anyone would get confused. You can probably use all three languages but I doubt she can learn each language's word for one object. Perhaps I am underestimating though... :-)

Sorry to hear about the plucking. Raz does it too in phases. I don't know if the vet has suggested this, but when Raz got really bad (severe plucking, even seizures at times) we found that he had a deficiency in calcium. Even 3 years later, if I forget to give it to him once a week, he will start pulling like crazy. I give him scrambled eggs with a liquid calcium supplement and pure palm oil all over them. He LOVES it and it helps keep the feather pulling down. His mood improves as well. I hope this helps! Best of luck.

Uh, even with the speakers up danmcg, I doubt it matches his true volume, lol. Glad to say Raz has NEVER made even close to that noise. The only thing he does is yell 'No!' or give a little warning whistle. I hope he never gets that scared, and I sure as heck wouldn't do it on purpose, even if it was meant for education! Poor Einstein!

I am so sorry. I knew that Teflon wasn't exactly something you want your bird around, but I guess I didn't realize how quickly and severely it can affect them. I will be using my iron skillet now... The descriptions of Dutch's seizures sounds an awful lot like what happened to Raz a few years ago, but the vet said it was calcium deficiency, so now he gets calcium eggs once a week. But now I am thinking it might have been more along these lines! Thank God he is okay. All of you with sick or lost birds are in my thoughts.

Here's my husband and I on our honeymoon in Jamaica 2 years ago. My hair is super blonde now! :-) <br><br>Post edited by: Missa818, at: 2008/08/25 05:40

I dont know about the spray but Raz LOVED my aloe plant. I would walk in the room and he would be sitting there with aloe all over his face. I always get the accusatory "WHAT?!" from him when I walk into those situations. It was fine that he ate my aloe, until he completely mowed it down one day and killed it. Now that I am thinking about it, I should go get him another.:laugh:<br><br>Post edited by: Missa818, at: 2008/08/24 15:35

When my bird bites me, I usually just leave him by himself in his room for an hour or so. Then I go in and have a short "heart-to-heart" and go on with our lives. I think he knows when he has done something wrong, but I don't know if he really "feels sorry" or anything like that. I never smack or yell. It's hard sometimes to not react to bites, as suggested. Especially when it's to your bottom lip...that ensued quite the blood-curdling scream yesterday. But I think it scared him more than made him happy for the reaction. It is tricky knowing what to do; I am looking forward to other peoples suggestions/advice. Best of luck with your naughty parrot!

If you mean for perching, I was always told birds need several different sizes to perch on to help the tendons in their feet stay loose. Raz has that thick and some smaller, but his favorite perches are the ones sized best for a budgie. :blink: Weirdo. Should be fine though in my opinion.

Razzy does that too. Especially when he is really happy or excited... Never seen him pick his nose and eat it though. :laugh: Yummy....

I wasn't wearing anything out of the ordinary. Work shirt and jeans, no jewelry or makeup or nail polish. And my hair was done normal too.... So confusing. I wondered if it was hormonal too. He is always trying to puke up seeds for me. Or maybe he knows my work shirt and was mad I was supposed to leave for work (which I ended up staying home, so he got what he wanted if that was the case. ) The only other thing I can imagine is that it has something to do with his calcium levels. He gets SUPER cranky when he doesn't get enough calcium (which I put in scrambled eggs for him). He used to never get it, but then started having weird seizures, so now we have to give him a supplement. Well my lip looks pretty good actually, just a little sore and I am giving air kisses from now on. Learned my lesson I guess. Thanks for all of your comments by the way!

Hi there. Corissa here from Toledo, Ohio! Been a pet to my Grey Razmataz (or Razzy) for about 6 years now. He is a challenge, but the rewards can be so great. Unfortunately, what brings me to this forum is a nasty bite on the lip, and trying to figure out how to react to him. Anyways, I am excited to find a place that I can share with other owners because Lord knows, only Grey owners can understand what a Grey owner is talking about when it comes to their bird! Pictures to come soon hopefully!

Well I have had him for about 6 years. We got him from a previous owner who took very good care of him. He has always loved me best of anyone, but is kind of iffy as far as "is Razzy in a good mood today or not??" I can read him 99% of the time. When he is mad, he does the same things you described. But this morning he was doing what we call "happy wings". I will try to post a picture. He basically brings his wings away from his body partially and moves them up and down. Not in a full flap, but just gently. He turns his head to the side and chirps softly. Sometimes he will stop for a second and put his toe in his mouth, then go back moving his wings. He is always happy when he does this and lets me tickle and kiss and he gets very talkative. He has never bit me when he is in that mood. I don't know... :-( Last thing I want to do is upset him by being mad, but dang! lol<br><br>Post edited by: Missa818, at: 2008/08/22 17:08

So Raz(my 12 year old Grey) bit my lip pretty good this morning. He has got me before but not this bad; I almost went to the hospital. I don't really want to even pay attention to him right now (because I am mad and my feelings are hurt), but I don't want to cause more problems either by making him less attached to me. I am usually excellent at reading his body language, but this morning he completely threw me for a loop. He had "happy face" and looked very excited to see me. It was right when I went in his room to turn on his light and music, and feed. I know they're intelligent, but I doubt he can grasp the concept of a "grudge". Should I go on like nothing happened or can I be mad a him a couple days? Also, what are some of the signs everyone else's Greys give off before they nail you? Maybe I have more to learn than I think. Thanks!