How to put grey in to box

[Alex13]

Hello

Today i went to vet with my grey to cut his nails in his transport cage. They said that they can't do it because he is to agressive so they asked me if i could bring him into box so they can put him to sleep first then to the job. I am little not sure if they know what are doing and how can i close him into box without him getting upset and angry.

[SRSeedBurners]

Can you post a pic of his nails?    Putting a parrot to sleep is risky business.

[Timbersmom]

Is this an avian vet? If not, is this a vet with bird experience? Timber was very aggressive and upset when I first got him and started taking him to have his nails trimmed. I was amazed at how calmly the vet and tech toweled him up and trimmed his nails without getting a bite, because he was giving it his best shot. I don't know your situation, or your bird, so can't give advice, but anesthesia is tricky with birds and I'm not sure a nail trim would be worth the risk?

[neoow]

I would not advise doing this just for a nail trim. Is the vet experienced with birds or an avian specialist? If not, that may be why they are making that recommendation.

Alfie was gassed by a vet once so they could help with his beak (it was growing longer on one side and causing the beak to grow out wonky). They gassed him and sorted the beak but Alfie was sick after the procedure and very dazed/out of it from the gas for a good few hours. I found another vet who is further away but obviously has a lot more experience with birds, as he is able to handle Alfie a lot better, with a lot less stress and most importantly- no gas. I have never been back to that first vet and always travel the extra distance to see the vet that I trust.

I would personally seek a second opinion from another vet who is used to handling/treating birds.
The risk and stress isn't worth it for a nail trim. It should be achievable with an experience hand and a towel.

If you have any doubts about the care being provided by a vet then you are better to walk away and find another vet. It's always important to be able to trust the person giving care to your beloved pets.

[Greytness]

This is so not right. Aggressive birds can be toweled for a nail trim. Sheez!
Please seek someone else to do the trim. This is way over the top in my opinion.

[Congo]

I agree with the above comments about gas. I've only had my adopted grey for eight weeks and he is in desperate need of a nail trim. He also is aggressive and just trying to get him into his travel cage is difficult. And since we are still building on trust, taking him to the vet is going to be a problem.

However, my vet is very experienced with greys (she has two), so she will be toweling him to do this. Sure, it's going to freak him out but after a few hours back in his home cage, he'll be fine.

Edited August 18, 2018 by Congo

[judygram]

An avian vet knows how to towel and handle a bird for talon trimming, just allow them to do their job and then you "rescue" him from them when its all over, no harm no foul.

[Luvparrots]

I use cement perches for my parrots to keep their nails trimmed.  I have never had to trim their nails.  I also have wooden perches (the ones that came with their cages) in their cages.  Because parrots prefer higher than lower perches, the cement perches are higher and used most.

[Acappella]

Someone experienced with birds will be able to towel a bird to do a nail trim.  My groomer is terrific with Dorian.  For her nail and beak trims are a two person job, one holds the towelled bird, one does the trimming, then I come in and rescue him from the bad ladies lol.  Believe me, he's trying his best to bite them during this process.  Is there a bird club in your area.  Contact a member and ask them who they use.  I found mine by asking in a pet store that has a resident, and aggressive, amazon.  Knocking him out is just too risky IMHO.

[katana600]

Just to add a thought here, we have a rehomed and reluctant Timneh African Grey and it seriously stresses her out to have nail trims.  We have had great luck with a concrete perch from a breeder made with ground up seashells.  It feels smooth to the touch and can be placed in her cage where it is not her night time top roost perch but she accesses it several times a day.  We also have a newer type for travel that is smooth where it touches the pads of her talons and rough where her nails get the sharp tips worn down.  The thing to remember here is to check her foot pads regularly to be sure she doesn't get pressure spots from these perches.  We have had nail trims at the vet and it has been so much easier on her to keep the nails worn down naturally with a perch designed for the purpose. I definitely wouldn't agree to anesthesia for anything except an emergency.