Zoom Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I took them for their first Well Bird Checkup today. The vet was great, but the birds were both pretty stressed by all the toweling and poking and stuff, and I was stressed by their distress. She said Kazoo's a bit overweight (4 on a 1-5 scale, with 3 being perfect) and Simon's a bit lean (2 on the same scale). Other than that, she didn't see anything wrong with them. She did blood tests and fecal exams and various other tests, including a crop swab and DNA sexing for Kazoo. She recommended changing their diets so that pellets make up a larger proportion of their food intake. (Simon prefers homemade food - mash and fruits and veggies and birdie bread - to pellets.) The total (gulp) was $841. But she spent almost an hour and a half with us and seemed pretty thorough. The birds were both so good. They stepped up nicely when she asked, and they didn't bite anybody. But they were both so disheveled looking when it was over - they looked like they'd been through the ringer and their downy feathers were everywhere. Poor guys. They were very quiet after I got them home. They just sat on their perches and looked liked they were deep in thought and processing the whole experience. They only ate their favourite parts of dinner, and went to bed early. Is that normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly Yokum Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I would say that they had a hard day at the office and were ready for bed. Ouch on that bill, why did it cost so much? mine only cost $110 per bird to have the works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 Here's the breakdown: Kazoo: 6-mth exam: $89 Blood sexing: $54 Maxi Blood Panel: $110 CBC: $81 Fecal Gram Stain: $44 Blood Collection: $40 Crop Smear: $75 Simon: 6mth exam: $89 Blood collection: $40 CBC: $81 Fecal Gram Stain: $44 TOTAL: $745 plus taxes: $97.11 TOTAL TOTAL: $844.11 The sexing was a luxury because I just would like to know. And the crop swab was because I'm worried about Kazoo throwing up this clear thick slimy fluid almost every day. Everything else was just 'routine' and recommended by the vet. Do you think I got taken to the cleaners? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly Yokum Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 that is just awful high. You don't live in the states either sexing here is only $23. shew I couldn't ever afford to take mine to the vet if it was that high. They would have charged me a grand with my big boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Yeah. Vets in general here are very expensive. I can find more affordable vets in the rural areas around the city, but as far as I know there are no avian vets other than the one I took them to. Simon's back to normal today, but Kazoo is still very quiet and wants to be left alone. He came out of his cage for a bit, but just sat on top of it. He didn't want to fly or play or socialize or anything. I'm worried that maybe he thinks he can't trust me anymore. We've only been together for six months, and our relationship has been one of gradually increasing trust. This is the first time he's pulled back from that. I hope he doesn't hold it against me forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray P Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Just hang in there Kazoo will come around again. He did it once he will do it again. Some times you need set backs, but that makes the relationship stronger in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Ray is right, Kazoo will come around in time, it just shows how different he is from Simon who was over the visit quite quickly, just keep acting as if everything is normal and he will be back to his old self soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingles Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 totally agree with Ray! And, if something is wrong with the crop swab, you'll be glad you did and figure out that reason...if it comes back ok, you'll be glad you did because you can rule that out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Kazoo's already starting to come round. He's still a little distant, but he did step up earlier and let me take him out of his cage and put him on the boing. And then he went and hung out in his favourite cupboard for awhile, and that cheered him up too. And he was happy when I delivered a peanut to him. No kisses or cuddles yet, but I think he's starting to forgive me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 The vet called yesterday with all the test results. Kazoo's results were all normal, including liver function and crop swab. (And I had already been told by the receptionist that Kazoo was a girl, so that was the most exciting part.) Simon has a very slight infection which was detected in his fecal analysis. It doesn't require antibiotics, just two tsps of organic apple cider vinegar in every two cups of water for a few weeks. Other than that, all his tests were fine too. It cost me a fortune to find out they're both fine, but I'm so glad they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Its always good to hear your fids are great at whatever the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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