rdmiller@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Ruth D Miller) (05/04/91)
There have been several requests for advice on selection of "first birds" in this group lately, and I now feel morally obligated to summarize "our" story that others may learn from it. Please don't anyone get offended: consider this a penance on my part... When we got married 5 yrs ago we "gave" ourselves 2 Fischer's love- birds. I love all critters and am allergic to hairy ones so we got birds--without looking into _any_ reading matter on care of birds. Since then we have lost 3 birds, each before he reached he first "hatchday". Jade died suddenly; we waited 2 mos and got Cadmium. He died suddenly (same symptoms): we waited 2 mos and got Tangier. She lived but turned out to be female, so we got 2 males. One (Jasper) paired with Tangier and began a family; he died before the 5 chicks fledged. By this time we were wise enough--I saw him listless and fluffy, but did not try to catch him, and he was dead next morning. Finally, when Cinnabar became sick we got him to an avian vet-- again later than we should have; we force-fed him sugar water with a spoon first or he would not have made it. 3 months, 2 coursed of injections and one course of oxycycline later he is finally well. NOW I know I should have read BIrdTalk before buying any pets. NOW I know I should have insisted on _avian_ vets. NOW I know what a sick bird looks like and what to do for it--but now Jade, Cadmium and Jasper are gone; I took responsibility for them and did not give them the care they deserved/needed. I'm going to feel guilty for the rest of my life, but if those of you considering getting "first birds" at least do some research first and find and avian vet first their deaths may be worth something, anyway. Especially if the bird you are considering is a large parrot, do not take the responsibility w/o the same thought you should give to having a human baby. Again please don't be offended--I just thought my experience ought to be of value to someone else. Thanks for listening. Ruth
gbell@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Greg Bell) (05/05/91)
In article <1991May3.190809.14977@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu> rdmiller@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Ruth D Miller) writes: >pets. NOW I know I should have insisted on _avian_ vets. NOW Just what is an "avian vet". Is it a vet that treats ONLY birds? Or is it just a vet that belongs to the Assoc. of Avian Vetrinarians? -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who: Greg Bell Address: gbell@ucsd.edu What: EE hobbyist and major Where: UC San Diego -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
rfarris@rfengr.com (Rick Farris) (05/05/91)
In article <19000@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> gbell@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Greg Bell) writes: > Just what is an "avian vet". Is it a vet that treats ONLY > birds? Or is it just a vet that belongs to the Assoc. of > Avian Vetrinarians? No, no, no! An "avian vet" is one with feathers. -- Rick Farris RF Engineering POB M Del Mar, CA 92014 voice (619) 259-6793 rfarris@rfengr.com ...!ucsd!serene!rfarris serenity bbs 259-7757
ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry) (05/06/91)
In article <19000@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> gbell@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Greg Bell) writes: >Just what is an "avian vet". Is it a vet that treats ONLY birds? >Or is it just a vet that belongs to the Assoc. of Avian >Vetrinarians? An avian vet is a vet that has had experience in treating avian species. Unfortunately, membership in the AAV is not enough. *I* am a member of the AAV, and certainly not a vet. The only screening is the amount of money you pay. YOU have to take the responsibility to find out all you can about the vet. Talk to bird owners. Talk to bird clubs. Talk to the vet. Find out if she has hand fed babies to weaning. Find out how long she's been treating avians. don't be afraid to ask tough questions. Your companion's life may be at stake.
rdmiller@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Ruth D Miller) (05/07/91)
In article <19000@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> gbell@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Greg Bell) writes: > >Just what is an "avian vet". Is it a vet that treats ONLY birds? >Or is it just a vet that belongs to the Assoc. of Avian >Vetrinarians? > When I said "avian vet" I meant one with experience and training in caring for birds. That involves knowing what tests to do if needed, and being equipped to take samples for tests and provide equipment for treatment (syringes etc.) I suspect many if not most vets who are trained to treat birds also treat other exotics (anything not a dog or cat: at KSU Vet School the major is Exotic Animals.) Ruth
cb14@prism.gatech.edu (Debbie Bragg) (05/07/91)
In article <1991May3.190809.14977@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu> rdmiller@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Ruth D Miller) writes: >There have been several requests for advice on selection of "first >birds" in this group lately, and I now feel morally obligated to >summarize "our" story that others may learn from it. Please don't >anyone get offended: consider this a penance on my part... (some stuff deleted) > Especially if the bird you are considering >is a large parrot, do not take the responsibility w/o the same >thought you should give to having a human baby. > >Again please don't be offended--I just thought my experience >ought to be of value to someone else. Thanks for listening. > >Ruth > I whole-heartedly agree! I have a B/G and we are talking about the equal of a toddler. My child requires lots of loving, lots of attention, I have to keep my eye on him when he is playing outside his cage. He follows me around the house from room to room and wants to help with what ever I am doing. I could go on and on. But my point is the same as Ruth's, they are a BIG responsibility. Even the smaller babies need special care and attention. But I must add that my heart swells with pride because my childs favorite word is "MOM-MA". What a joy!!!