Do I need a vet?

[Evelyn]

If somebody else asked this question, I could probably answer it, but this is MY bird, and I can't be objective.

Tamar, my l-year old female CAG, did something unusual this morning. I always go tell the birds good morning when I get up. They stretch and fan out their wings and Tamar says, "Good morning. I love you. Gimme a kiss." Her usual greeting now that she has learned it.

As part of her stretching, she stretched her neck out as far as she could get it, open and shut her beak or 3 times, and had a couple of what I call dry heaves. She behaved as though she had something stuck in her throat, but she wasn't at all distressed. If she were older, I'd say she was trying to regurgitate for me, but she is only a year.

I've watched her since then. She behaves perfectly normal. She had her shower, ate, talked, cuddled. I haven't observed the neck-stretching behavior again, but I haven't been with her every minute.

Should I be concerned?

Evelyn

[Don]

Sounds more like she was giving you a couple of Hurks - as for her needing to be older to do that- it has to staert sometime. The Grey babies I've raised sometimes do that before they are weaned.

But, if you are convinced it's something else, by all means contact your Vet.
Don

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Good to know Don.

Baby was very young when she gave me the first present. She has only done it a couple times since - but she goes through all the motions with my wife. :bowdown:

[EasySpirit]

Could be an attempt to feed. They also do stretch their necks and open their mouth like they are yawning which might go to a couple of attempts at regurgitating. I don't know if this is a yawn, or clearing their ears. Mine mostly do it when I rub their ears...they will stop, stretch, yanwn and do a couple of head bobs like regurgitating but not quite the same.

IT IS NORMAL even for a youn bird. go back to huggin the baby.

[Evelyn]

Sounds more like she was giving you a couple of Hurks - as for her needing to be older to do that- it has to staert sometime. The Grey babies I've raised sometimes do that before they are weaned.

But, if you are convinced it's something else, by all means contact your Vet.
Don


That's exactly what it looked like. It is only her age that made me doubt it. But since both you and Larry agree that she's not too young, I'm justing going to keep an eye on her. She was just at the vet about two weeks ago for a well bird visit and had several tests. Vet said everybody looked great except her protein was a little lower than he liked to see it. He recommended adding some soy products to her food.

Evelyn

[Don]

OK, now you've brought up the possibility of her being exposed to something at the Vets office.. Incubation period of most bacterial problems is 10 to 21 days.

I am a firm believer in taking sick birds to the Vet if I cannot culture it out or need a perscription for something I do not have on hand - and YES I do realize not everyone can do this -

Veterinarian Offices = that's where sick animals are - but I will never take a visually healthy and happy bird into on of those places so they can just confirm my suspicions of the bird being healthy. If you are using an Avian vet - think about the idea that most folks in your area with birds are also going there - there just aren't that many around in most areas. Sick birds, or carriers, go to Vets offices almost every day of the week.

When was the last time you saw Vet asst clean/steralize the doorknobs before you used one ?

Just something to think on ......

Don

[Chrissy and Flock]

Wow I am so glad my avian vet comes to the house, it costs a little more but its worth it to me. Less stressful to the birds too.

[bonnie]

That's good to know! I was a little freaked out for Evelyn!

[birdscomefirst]

This sounds like a normal thing to me. When they bring up food from their crops for their own feeding , it looks like what was described.

[Evelyn]

[quote=Don;7670]OK, now you've brought up the possibility of her being exposed to something at the Vets office.. Incubation period of most bacterial problems is 10 to 21 days.


What you say makes perfect sense. Now I'm worried again. Altho she hasn't done it again that I have seen. I haven't been with her every minute, but I have checked her frequently. And this is the only "symptom." She eats, plays, talks, etc. just as she always does.

THis vet says he is an avian vet, and he does see many birds. He is the only vet with experience with birds within 100 miles. I've sometimes wondered if his twice yearly well-bird visits weren't part of the Veterinarian retirement plan. He also recommends Harrison's, which he happens to sell.

We do have an avian certified vet about 100 miles away, and that is where I go for anything really serious. I have complete confidence in him, and not so much in the local vet.

Thanks.

Evelyn

[birdie]

Evelyn, I have a zon that does that. The 1st couple of times it scared me good! I think he is stretching his beak, maybe popping his ears {or to that effect} It looks like he's gagging or choking on something. I know he's not trying to feed me, he hates me, he is hubbys bird & hubby wasn't home.

[Evelyn]

I know he's not trying to feed me, he hates me, he is hubbys bird & hubby wasn't home.

Maybe he was trying to poison you? :jk:

Evelyn