Eddie back from his wing clip

[lemonypickett]

Ok, well ..... it's too early to tell, but I think my darling baby has lost too much flight!

The vet was a nice man, and had an assistant that is supposed to be the best bird holder he has. She threw a towel around him and held him tight with his little head poked out. The doctor then pulled the wing out to trim. Eddie was making sooo much noise, I felt terrible. I was soaked in sweat within a minute.

Eddie flew off my finger before the cutting had started and the vet said that he was surprised how well he could fly with the 5 flights that were already clipped. After one wing was clipped they let him go, and rest a minute they said. Then he was wrapped up again for the other side. The vet followed the angle of the existing cut that Eddie had when I got him, and he told me that he estimated a 4 or 5 additional feathers were trimmed today. A total of 9 or 10 total feathers trimmed each total.

I had to run him back to the house and fly to work, so I couldn't observe him too much, but the few times he tried, he ended up on the floor. I am afraid he is going to crack his beak open wailing it on a table when he misses. He now seems super traumatized. He did eat some millet, but then he went right into his happy hut, and did not come out again.

The vet told me that Eddie was "in good flesh". The vet manipulated his crop, and his jaw and head it looked like. He said all felt normal. I asked what he weighed, and he said he'd go get the scale out of the "exotic" room, but I said nevermind. I wouldn't even let Eddie sit on the metal examining table. I was afraid of bird cooties. I will buy him a scale this weekend.

I had read on the internet right before leaving (getting myself thoroughly freaked out) that if the feather is not cut at the base of the quill, that the sharp remaining piece of feather often pokes the bird in the sides and can bring on feather plucking. I asked the vet about this, and neither one had heard of lovies being feather pluckers. Is this true? If Eddie plucks a feather I will be heartbroken!!

So.... all in all... a woman's intuition .... what do I think? I think that this vet is no lovebird expert, but is ok with the "simple task" of clipping a wing. I think that his next wing clip appointment will be in the home with that other vet. Although this guy seemed caring and kind, I think I would rather find someone that is maybe more of an expert.

He told me this I think it was called a bilateral trim? This is the most common trim he does for birds. So, I'll update later with how he is doing when I get home.

At this point, I still don't know if I made the right decision to do this. I guess if it was too radical a clip, next time I will go for a happy medium between what he had that wasn't working, and what now may possibly be too much. Good thing is he won't be hitting the window anymore.

Any tricks to help out my new handicapped bird to figure out what to do, or make him feel better?

Will he ever forgive me? :very_sad:

[Sweetpeaches]

i really don't think eddie is mad at you...honestly i don't! it's just different for him now. peaches always goes through a little adjustment after being clipped. but she's much calmer and easier to handle. and i don't have to worry about her getting hurt or flying out the door. i'm not sure about how many wings should've been clipped? but i'm sure linda and others will help you in that area.

[thebubbleking]

Hrmmm Goofy lovebird is a feather plucker and i have heard of other lovies that pluck..
I trim boo and sunshines wings myself so i can gauge how much lift they have.

[lemonypickett]

Do you have a trick to hold him and pull the wing out? Do you use a towel?

I am afraid to squeeze him too hard.

I wanted to video the procedure, but figured it would upset the vet. Or make them think that I am as nuts as everyone I work with thinks ;)

I am anxiously awaiting going home so that I can see how my precious baby is.

Oh .... about the feather plucking .... what brings it on, and once it looks like they are starting to, is there any stopping it?

[michael]

The vet followed the angle of the existing cut that Eddie had when I got him, and he told me that he estimated a 4 or 5 additional feathers were trimmed today. A total of 9 or 10 total feathers trimmed each total. The vet told me that Eddie was "in good flesh". The vet manipulated his crop, and his jaw and head it looked like. He said all felt normal. I had read on the internet right before leaving (getting myself thoroughly freaked out) that if the feather is not cut at the base of the quill, that the sharp remaining piece of feather often pokes the bird in the sides and can bring on feather plucking. I asked the vet about this, and neither one had heard of lovies being feather pluckers. Is this true? If Eddie plucks a feather I will be heartbroken!! So.... all in all... a woman's intuition .... what do I think? I think that this vet is no lovebird expert, but is ok with the "simple task" of clipping a wing. He told me this I think it was called a bilateral trim? This is the most common trim he does for birds. Any tricks to help out my new handicapped bird to figure out what to do, or make him feel better? Will he ever forgive me? :very_sad:
Do you have a trick to hold him and pull the wing out? Do you use a towel? I am afraid to squeeze him too hard. I wanted to video the procedure, but figured it would upset the vet. Or make them think that I am as nuts as everyone I work with thinks ;)
Oh .... about the feather plucking .... what brings it on, and once it looks like they are starting to, is there any stopping it?

Hi Laura and Eddie :) . How about we cast aside the plucking issues as the reasons for parrots doing this is usually not associated with just a wing trim but rather a vast majority of other diverse problems ranging from the obvious to the mysterious. You know, I'm fairly certain no one should cut a feather closest to the base of the quill. Thats the part nearest the flesh/skin that still supply's nutrients to the feather and also helps to hold it in place. We don't really want to go there during a wing clip...After reading about Eddie's visit its obvious your womans intuition is working quite well. If 9-10 feathers on each side were trimmed then that is too much. 5 or 6 is on each side is usually sufficient. But perhaps I just misinterpreted the wording on those totals....Along with your worries here. The term bilateral trim which differentiates from unilateral trim stills varies in degree's of angles and lengths and is really just a broad term that often only adds one more degree of uncertainty for those unfamiliar with its use.... Lets move on to the vet "exam" :lol. Stating that Eddie is "in good flesh" along with manipulating his jaw and head sounds about normal for a.......quack :clap. If in fact you purchase that scale to weigh him with you'll likely be much more capable of rendering a more precise evaluation. You may want to use our resources here to find the nearest certified avian vet just in case something more serious than a wing clip is needed. As far as helping handicapped Eddie get over his wing clip. Plenty of reassuring "practice step ups", sweet talking, or whatever else positive you two do in your spare time should suffice. Try to keep him low so he gets used to his limitations for a few days. And last but not least, add no more extra guilt or he just may take advantage of you. Well, you know..let him know your the "flock leader" :)...........By the way, my vets all think I'm nuts. Even most of my friends do too :happy:. But, if it means better care for my precious lovie who cares! Say, check out this link and tell us how it compares to Eddies new trim. http://www.parrotparrot.com/lovebirds/wings.htm

[Pips mom]

Awww, poor Eddie! Pip is adjusting to his new clip at the moment too, and doesn't seem to thrilled with it! but he does ok though. I feel bad too after clipping this time, and kinda wish he had a bit more flight----but the last time he was clipped, he was flying with enough lift to get on top of the curtain rods again in just one month! Eddie might be a bit upset about this now, but you'll be surprised, he will adjust to it and be all happy again, and by that time he will be growing new feathers. I am considering trying to clip Pip myself now too at home so I can do it and just trim the long flights that I know are fully grown because they have been there for a while, and just clip the long black ones----there were only about two or three of them on each wing that had totally grown out and I want Pip to have a bit more lift and be able to fly a bit easier.
I know right now you feel bad about Eddie's clip, but just hang in there! the worst of it will all be over before ya know it-----those feathers grow pretty fast! Also I covered up the side of the computer with a nice big blanket right up to the computer desk when Pip is out because he always tries to fly over to me when I am on the computer and he was not able to make it that far and kinda banged into the computer, so places where you know he may fly to, if there is something there he may bang into, just try to make it softer for him----just in case! Amazingly tonight Pip flew from the tiel's cage all the way over to his, which is a pretty far distance, and he made it! Also I notice right after a clip, that Pip gets tired out more easily, probably from flying and it so much more work now----so you might notice more naps if he still tries to fly quite a bit even with the clip.

[lemonypickett]

Thanks for your kind words guys.

Michael, yes those totals were right, 9 or ten per wing. He had 5 clipped originally and was flying 50 feet and gaining height. Today I have to work a double and feel bad I am not home to check on my baby much.

I will report back later.

[lucky melatonin]

my new bird had an excellent clip done. and i'm so jealous (for francis) because francis's wings are so messed up because that man who clipped them at the shop when i first got him. it makes me sad :(

[Pips mom]

Yeah, Laura, I'm feeling it too right now----Poor Pip when I got home from going out today, I let him out and I try to bring over to the other cage where he hangs out, and he always flies, and he banged into the bottom of the cage :( with his beak! Poor little Pip! I felt so bad! and he is a hands off bird so I can't even pick him up and hold him and let him know I am sorry! I feel aweful too-----he just went from one extreme to another, ya know? He doesn't seem quite as happy now, but he still shows signs of being happy at times----still does his little grunting noise with the head bob----that means he's happy! but I'm kinda feeling what you are right now, and hoping this month flies by and his little feathers grow so we can past this bad stage. From now on I am going to ask them where he gets clipped if they can only clip about three of the flight feathers that have grown the longest and leave the rest. I'm not gonna put poor Pip through this extreme a change again. He seemed to do so good with it the first time, but I think this time he had a longer time in between clips-----I held off because he was being so good and going back in the cage for me really good too, them flight feathers really were growing in good this time! And to top it off you have to work a double shift today----awwww! I have the day off! I am going to make my little Pippers a yummy dinner tonight! and give him lots of love and attention!

[lemonypickett]

Eddie is so jealous! He wishes his mom was home. I am sure this is adding to his depression. I will make it up to him.

Do you know how many flight feathers were clipped on Pip? I am going to try and take a video of Eddies movement ability (or lack of) and post it. Maybe I can get a professional opinion from Linda and the other experts in the group.

Although I am sad that Pip is bad off too, it is a little nice to have company in this stressful time. They do say misery loves company!

[lemonypickett]

Michael,

Thanks for the link, I had actually come across that in my travels before. That is the clip Eddie had that still allowed him to fly anywhere his little heart desired. He was even gaining height before yesterday's clip. I will let him out tonight and see how he is doing. He is a fast runner. Skips across the floor like a little sand piper!

I am going to try to see if I can get him to cuddle with me a little tonight. I am hoping this clip will make him more lovey.

[Pips mom]

Not sure how many flights they clipped, but it looks like maybe five or six of them, and I have some short video of him humping his rope toy! lol and he spread those wings out and you can see pretty good! I will try to get that video posted too so people here can see. Pip is doing good tonight and we can actually handle him a bit now! he doesn't like it much, but he doesn't really bite either, will nip a little, but he seems pretty happy tonight and I cooked him some sweet potatoes and brown rice for dinner! He loves the softer foods, but hates when they stick to his beak----he runs around and tries to wipe his beak on everything to get it off! so funny! He does not like a messy beak!

[lemonypickett]

Oh !!! I would love to see Pip's video.

I think it is sooooo funny when they wipe their beak. The Avi-Cakes are a bit sticky and Eddie will ferociously wipe that little beak. He also wiped it when he tried a taste of an egg I cooked for him.