Towels

[aeriga]

I've heard that most times when greys go to the vet they sometimes need to be wrapped in a towel, for whatever reason, and it can be extremely stressful for them and hard for the parront to watch.

We've ben trying to get him used to be wrapped up and playing with a towel in hopes that it wont be too stressful for him during his vet visits, he seems to be doing well and doesn't freak out when this happens.

Does anyone have any opinions/advice on this?

Edited June 4, 2010 by aeriga
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[pearllyn]

Yes, a vet will often towel a grey - mine does it with Alfie, although not every time. My vet makes me wait in the waiting room while they are doing with Alfie - stressed owner means stressed bird! Alfie never seems any the worse for her experience at the vets, but my not being with her means she doesn't associate any negative experience w ith me. Playing with a towel at home and getting him used to it will definitely help - associate it with treats and nice things then it won't be so alien to him.

[Luvparrots]

My grey isn't afraid of a towel because I also play with her with a towel. She enjoys it as it is just a game to her. Her vet has commented on what a calm grey she is during her check ups.

[Xtreme575]

Paco hates the towel, and makes a huge production out of it. So much so that the vet has offered to give me a discount if I can get him to be better towel trained. I have been working on this, but it always results in a bite, so I tend to avoid it a bit, but I try.

[JillyBeanz]

We've played "peek a boo" with a HUGE blanket ever since I got Harvey. I can actually just cover him and leave him to find his own way out - he doesn't give a hoot and will often stay under the blanket! I think it's best if you start as early as you can. But, on the other hand, the vets at my practice are so professional that they are able to handle birds with utmost precision, in that the bird hardly knows it's going to happen, then obviously once their heads are covered they go quiet and don't struggle anyway - but in any case - I've still tried to prepare Harvey for the inevitable.

 

So, just keep up the role play - it'll help in the long term

[Greywings]

We've played "peek a boo" with a HUGE blanket ever since I got Harvey. I can actually just cover him and leave him to find his own way out - he doesn't give a hoot and will often stay under the blanket! I think it's best if you start as early as you can. But, on the other hand, the vets at my practice are so professional that they are able to handle birds with utmost precision, in that the bird hardly knows it's going to happen, then obviously once their heads are covered they go quiet and don't struggle anyway - but in any case - I've still tried to prepare Harvey for the inevitable.

 

So, just keep up the role play - it'll help in the long term

You stole my answer before I could keyboard it out! lol It does work and they often enjoy a good game of peek-a-boo.