Life Expectantcy?

[Pauline]

I was always led to believe that Greys would always out live their owners, until the other day when i had to take my Grey to the vets. He told me that they only usually live till about 5/6 years. Is this true?

[rawleyd]

Completely not true.

I've met people that have greys over 30 years old. Many people here have greys that age also. I guess it depends on healthy you can keep them.

You were right in your first assumption.

[danmcq]

I would find a true Avian vet. It is obvious the vet you are presently seeing is not very knowledgeable of Parrots at all. Even a smaller bird like a cockatiel or conure can live to 25, much less a larger parrot that could possibly live to 60 or 70 years old.

 

They do not even reach maturity and breeding age until 5 or 6 years old.

[GoDiego]

I think Dan is right about finding another Avian vet. If he is this unacknowledged about such a common fact, I would not trust any medical advice from him. Feed him a good diet and look after him well, you will have many, many years together.

[Pauline]

Thanks guys....WOW thats quite disturbing as he is 'apparently' an avian vet, and comes highly recommended. Makes me wonder what injection he gave her,one that cost a whopping 29 quid. Don't know who is worse, vets or mechanics !

[GoDiego]

Did he not say what the injection was for, or what it was that he was giving her?

[Ray P]

I was always led to believe that Greys would always out live their owners, until the other day when i had to take my Grey to the vets. He told me that they only usually live till about 5/6 years. Is this true?

 

I told that to my 9 1/2 year old CAG and she wants to know what kind of drugs the vet was on

[danmcq]

Same question as GoDiego, what did he inject with and why?

 

LOL @ Ray!

[Shades Of Grey]

Oh my goodness, that scared me a bit when I first read your post! I would be devastated if either of my fids passed after that short of a life span. One thing that attracted me to birds was that they tend to live longer than other animals. After suffering the loss of dearly lived pets, it is somewhat comforting to think that with good care my birds will be with me for a long time. I would also be finding out what was injected into your baby...

[Pauline]

Did he not say what the injection was for, or what it was that he was giving her?

 

Yeah it was an antibiotic injection, incase she had picked up anything nasty when she escaped

[Cheshire Cat]

I can't believe a vet said that!! Ridiculous. Greys can live anywhere between 50-70 years from what I've read. Some sources say 50 and others have said up to 70 and even 80 on one website. I think it depends on their lifestyle.

 

5-6 years. How stupid. I can't get over that!!! It's right what someone said in an earlier post, they don't even reach sexual maturity until they're about 5! Where did this person get their veterinary certificate from? eBay? Lol!

Edited September 4, 2010 by Cheshire Cat

[Janfromboone]

even cockateils live 18-20 years. I wonder if you misunderstood him. I'd be calling him and clearing up what the injection was for and ask him again how long he said your grey would live. Tobie's never had an injection that I know of.

[EdiferiousRex]

Often baytril can be given as an injection..But dosage, how it's given (IV, IM, SQ) are very important, and informing the owner of the risks associated is necessary..I'd search for a new avian vet if I were in your situation.