Makena Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 We finally got our featherless parrot into the vet. He did a gram stain, examined the poo, etc. He says... "There is nothing physically wrong with your parrot... BUT... He does have a psychological disorder and I think you should go to a bird therapist or give him drugs". Ummm... ok... So we basically just paid this guy $150 to tell us our bird is crazy. Anyways, he recommends putting Makena on Haloperidol which is used in the treatment of schizophrenia in humans. We aren't too excited about the idea of putting our bird on crazy amounts of drugs, ESPECIALLY human strength drugs. He said it would probably take many weeks of playing around with the dosages to get it right. He said during that time our bird could be a zombie. Basically it sounded like the bird would be so sedated that he wouldn't have the desire to chew. He also told us he prescribes the drug to A LOT of birds, especially cockatoos. Any thoughts on this drug? We are moving Makena to the mainland in 3 weeks and will have access to one of the top avian vets in the country at that point. We are thinking of waiting to see what he says. I also think that once we move back and get settled again he is going to calm down and hopefully stop his new chewing habit. We have a lot going on in our lives right now and I am sure he is picking up on it. Check out what our little one has done to himself... Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Do you have a way of getting this new Vet on the phone, and send him these photos? I would ask the Vet about the pills, and if you should wait to see him first. So very sorry, you must be beside yourself. Don't seem like you have much faith in this Vet you seen.<br><br>Post edited by: Johnny, at: 2008/04/16 09:39 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Girls Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Oh Makena what have you been doing. :blush: So sorry girl. Angie is still chewing her feathers. Not as bad as before though. The move has not affected her as bad as I anticipated. I am not sure about giving them any form of human drugs. I myself would rather try and investigate other avenues. I have also been told that Prozac could help with plucking/chewing. Will not try that either. I have however been told by a local breeder in South Africa that giving Angie 1 to 2 Marijuana pips per day would greatly help her feather situation. Have not started doing this as I do not have enough evidence that it will indeed work and not be bad for her. Any ideas, has anyone else tried this / heard about it?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skuffy Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 WOOT!!!! Giving your Grey CANNABIS is a Deff NO""""NO...You yourself understand the effects smoking anything can do to a Human Lung,,,Imagine what that wud do to a Greys Lungs.....THINK ABOUT IT :blink: I don't even smoke a Ciggie infront of my Grey now..Passive smoke just might harm his Little Lungs....So pls don't go getting your Birdie stoned,,Thats just not right...<br><br>Post edited by: Skuffy, at: 2008/04/16 11:41 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Girls Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 I have not given it to my Angie. It is apparently a well known fact that certain breeders give it to their greys for improved feathers and breeding. No leaves only the pips in their food. Obviously they do not sit and smoke the stuff! Just curious if anyone else knows about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Hi Tin, personally if it was me i would hold fire, wait until you move & seek the advice from The Avian vet. Haloperidol is used in the treatment of schizophrenia and, more acutely, in the treatment of acute psychotic states and delirium !! I wouldn't want to start using this on any of my four Tin without a second opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Hi Makena, I would hold off on the drugs. Your Grey is not crazy!! Something may be bothering Makena, but I always defer the minute any doctors first recommendation is to treat an issue with drugs to calm them down or dope them up. It is not a proper treatment for humans, animals or birds, in my opinion. It is just a mind altering drug "Masking" the problem. Maybe suggest your Doctor get "Off" the drugs ;-) Sorry, that's my opinion. I obviously do not like drugs as the answer when behavioral problems arise. The "Cause" for the change in behavior needs to addressed, not masked.<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/04/16 14:19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Aww Kristin, Makena looks so pitiful in those shots after what he has done to himself but I would wait until you get moved and then see the avian specialist you mentioned. I would be leery of using drugs on him too, not a good idea, like the others suggested it will only mask the problem not solve it.:huh: BTW, how did the wedding go on Saturday, I was thinking of you and Andrew, hope it was all you dreamed it would be and look forward to seeing some pictures when you get the chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acappella Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 The fact that the vet says he gives it to a lot of birds, esp cockatoos who are notorious for being noisy, suggests to me that he is doing it for the comfort of the owners, not the birds. Some vets, just like human doctors, are quick to reach for the latest drug because it will stop the symptom that is causing the most worry, but I agree with others that your baby will be better off in the long run if you can address the cause of the behaviour change. Trust your instincts and wait till you move and have a chance to get a second opinion. Meanwhile, tell Makena that Marguerite and Dorian think he's still adorable and we hope he feels better soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Makena, You poor thing. I would NEVER give medications such as that to any bird. Dan is correct, this is a behavior problem that is only recent. I would wait until you move, and settle in, and are able to see the avian vet there for help with this. Please keep us updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makena Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 Thanks guys for all your help. We have decided not to give him drugs. I kind of knew the second he brought it up that it wasn't something we wanted to do. I am glad you all agree! Judy, the wedding was perfect :kiss: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I didn't think you wanted to drug Makena:dry: I knew it and I am so happy for the two of you, I want to see pics when you can manage it:kiss: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommaFawkes Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Ohh Makena thats so sad I hope she lets her feathers grow back in!! keep up posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblhelix Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Hi Kristin, Congrats on the wedding! Makena does not look so bad! I would definitely stay away from meds unless its a last resort after several avain vetrinary opinions. I fully agree with Dan and others, this is behavioral. We need to study the behavior(s) and causes and work to eliminate the source. You know its certainly no surprise that Makena has been affected by the wedding. Think of all the stress, time, planning, stress, excitement, new people, activity, stress, did I mention stress?, etc etc going on over the last few months and particularly the last weeks leading up to the wedding. I thought our wedding was pretty simple, but there is no doubt the entire thing consumes a ton of energy and this is sensed by our pets and affects them. The fact that you are soon going to be moving and now preparing for that is only going to be more "change" and routine disruption for Makena. But, you cannot shy away from that for you or him! He needs to go through it just like you and you need to balance time with Mak, reasurring him all is ok and frankly letting him learn that he will need to spend time alone etc. I know you are working on this and its waaay easier said than done. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you both and confident you will all make it out of this stronger! Go MAK, get them feathers BACK!! B)<br><br>Post edited by: dblhelix, at: 2008/04/19 18:17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycos_mom Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 The doctor you saw as far as I;m concerned is a total Quack You Grey Isn't crazy he is someone should put him on those kinds of meds and see how he'd like to be turned into a Zombie find another doctor I'm sure you baby will come through all this just fine once thing settle back down to normal. and he gets his daily rotine back. please don't put you bird through some kind of drug therapy until you see the total picture of whats really going on with him it could be just the stress he feels around him right now wait until you get moved and thing settle down a bit. He may just suprise you and all this will fix itsself ny Grey chewed her flight feathers for 4 years until she came to live with me and now she has totaly stoped and is fully flighted for the very first time in her life. And I certinly didn't put her on any kind of drugs Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyboop Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 I also had a TAG at one time who looked very much like your bird when he came to live with us .He did regrow all of his feathers and stopped plucking. After you get all settled and moved , I bet your bird will improve .They are so smart , when we are stressed they are to. So good luck on the move and smart desision on no meds . Bettyboop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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