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What I do when it's cold is heat my car before putting the bird into it. And I toss a blanket into the dryer for 5 minutes and, just before walking out the door with the bird, I drape the blanket around the crate. It cools fast once outdoors, but still blocks the flow of cold air.

I'm happy that Mateo's regaining those lost grams and hoping for some good information from this new vet

Oooops, missed this thread. It's been a challenging week so I haven't gotten into the 'tiel forum for a while. Not that I'd have had anything to add to the good advice already given. No, I have't heard anything about desert birds' drinking habits. And I've never had to deal with meds in the water because Buddy practically inhales anything fed to her by syringe! She's a plucker & I'm sure it's medically related. She didn't pluck for her 1st 13 1/2 years. She started plucking about when her kidney problems got bad enough for meds. She'll back off when she's feeling better (based on behavior & uric acid levels) then go right back to plucking when she's having a bad spell. I have a light for her, which she loves. I got a full spectrum light bulb at the pet store & have it directed at one end of her happy hut. She spends most of her day basking in it. Once in a while she will move to the other end of the hut for brief periods. I have read that light for lizards is different from lights for birds. But I think that I read it one the web site that sells avian lights! Anyway, I don't know for sure but don't see how a full spectrum light can be different for birds or for reptiles My vet said to use a 75 watt bulb when she recommended supplemental heat for Buddy. I'll be waiting anxiously to hear what the "vet across the river" had to say

We're back! The vet in Milan was great. I have tons and tons of stuff to read over that he gave me copies of. Here's the short version:

Mateo does not have giardia. He was tested with a new method and he 100% does not have it.

He weighed 90.5 grams at the vet's office. This is up from last week's 86 grams at the other vet. Different scales (Milan vet's was more accurate and looks like it's used to weigh narcotics LOL). But, it looks like he's gaining a little weight. Vet said his weight was good. He did happen to use one of those scales with the big metal container with holes in it (like the tea things someone mentioned earlier)!

They did bloodwork and all is well. Protein could be a little higher, but it's within normal range. White and red blood cells are good.

Vet thinks Mateo's bald under there from skin irritation. Gave me some powder called Neo-Predef to apply 2X a day for 7 days. He said he didn't like the creams (the AviX I had used) as they make the bird's feathers oily - not a good thing. The AviX is going in the trash...

Also got some Lafeber's Nutri-An Cakes which are good for weight maintenance and foraging - things Mateo needs help with a little! They are for veterinarian use only.

Vet said I am doing a really good job with Mateo. I go back in 90 days for a follow up.

I feel much better. He's not out of the water yet, but I feel like I found a really good (Avian, even!) vet. This guy actually used to know Mr. Lafeber! He told he was customer 84 way back when. LOL

Mateo is resting. He gets really worn out after these visits.

I'm glad that it seems to only be from irritation! Keep us updated on the cute little guy!

christie wrote:I'm glad that it seems to only be from irritation! Keep us updated on the cute little guy!

I will! Thanks everyone - SO MUCH - for offering your words of wisdom and advice. Once again, it makes me that much better at being a parront.

callisto9 wrote:... Mateo does not have giardia. He was tested with a new method and he 100% does not have it. ...
Vet thinks Mateo's bald under there from skin irritation. Gave me some powder called Neo-Predef to apply 2X a day for 7 days...
Also got some Lafeber's Nutri-An Cakes which are good for weight maintenance and foraging...

What is this new giardia test called?

That it's skin irritation seems obvious, but what is causing the irritation?

I don't like Lafeber products. Fresh, whole foods are far healthier in my opinion. I'll surely be interested in whether your Mateo does well -- and certainly hope he does I'm very glad you like the vet better, but Mateo's recovery is the test.

Bluesbird Exotics wrote:

callisto9 wrote:... Mateo does not have giardia. He was tested with a new method and he 100% does not have it. ...
Vet thinks Mateo's bald under there from skin irritation. Gave me some powder called Neo-Predef to apply 2X a day for 7 days...
Also got some Lafeber's Nutri-An Cakes which are good for weight maintenance and foraging...

What is this new giardia test called?

That it's skin irritation seems obvious, but what is causing the irritation?

I don't like Lafeber products. Fresh, whole foods are far healthier in my opinion. I'll surely be interested in whether your Mateo does well -- and certainly hope he does I'm very glad you like the vet better, but Mateo's recovery is the test.

Antigen testing? Could that be what it's called?

I am only feeding the Nutri-An Cakes. Why don't you like Lafeber products, specifically? I agree that fresh, whole foods might be better, but Mateo won't eat them. What's wrong with Lafeber products?

I personally don't have any problems with the Lafeber products. Keep in mind that pellets should not be their complete diet, since it is so high in protein. My tiels don't like the pellets, but love the avi-cakes and nutriberries. I only feed those as treats. I also keep seeds and pellets in the cage at all times. I feed fresh foods when I can find things worth eating at the store, cooked foods and frozen veggies at other times. I try to give "fresh" daily, but they don't always eat it.

As for getting Mateo to eat new things, keep offering them. I use a paper plate as the fresh dish, they love eating out of it. I also let them nibble from my plate, that is what got them to start eating fresh in the first place!

christie wrote:I personally don't have any problems with the Lafeber products. Keep in mind that pellets should not be their complete diet, since it is so high in protein. My tiels don't like the pellets, but love the avi-cakes and nutriberries. I only feed those as treats. I also keep seeds and pellets in the cage at all times. I feed fresh foods when I can find things worth eating at the store, cooked foods and frozen veggies at other times. I try to give "fresh" daily, but they don't always eat it.

As for getting Mateo to eat new things, keep offering them. I use a paper plate as the fresh dish, they love eating out of it. I also let them nibble from my plate, that is what got them to start eating fresh in the first place!

Mateo does also get Harrison's Birdy Bread, egg every now and again, a little seed, nutriberries, avi-cakes and mostly pellets.

I do offer the healthy stuff every now and again, but so far, he won't touch it.

The vet tells me he could use a little more protein, so I think what he's eating so far is fine.

This may soound wrong, but I have offered broiled chicken and turkey to my birds on occasion. They love it!! I make sure that theirs is not cooked in oils and hasn't been spiced. Make sure it is 100% done and let it cool before allowing them to nibble.

christie wrote:This may soound wrong, but I have offered broiled chicken and turkey to my birds on occasion. They love it!! I make sure that theirs is not cooked in oils and hasn't been spiced. Make sure it is 100% done and let it cool before allowing them to nibble.

I've heard that's OK. My vet mentioned that it was OK. It does seem weird to feed chicken to a bird though. LOL

callisto9 wrote:

Bluesbird Exotics wrote:

callisto9 wrote:... Mateo does not have giardia. He was tested with a new method and he 100% does not have it. ...

What is this new giardia test called?...

Antigen testing? Could that be what it's called?...

Your bill should show what the test is called. I'd like to tell my avian vet about it

A powder vs a cream makes sense to me on sooo many levels!

I occasionally buy chicken necks, cook them up and give them to my birds. They love picking the meat out from amongst the bones.

Bluesbird Exotics wrote:Your bill should show what the test is called. I'd like to tell my avian vet about it

It just says "Giardia Screen". I'll have to call and ask what the test was called. He told me it was a new method of testing, and it was more accurate. I want to say the test looked for something a little different than the typical gram stain.

I think, though this is for humans, this might be what he was referring to: http://www.medicinenet.com/giardia_lamblia/page3.htm

Either way, he's been tested for giardia three times now, all negative.

So glad you got good news! As to chicken and turkey, yes, my babies love it! Buddy doesn't get it any more because I have to watch her protien intake (kidney problems). Gussie had her first turkey this week. I didn't offer it to her--she helped herself as I was making a sandwich for myself It was cold, roasted turkey. I also offer roasted chicken, but just occasionally, and in small amounts. If someone else is present & see it, they are sure to say something like, "Isn't that a little like canabalism?" Guess it is, but they don't know that--and it tastes yummy