Crazy Bird Fever Scare
Something MUST be done! 
Theres a new problem with our 10 year old male Patagonian conure. He has always been a very good and healthy boy, but I went to pick him up a couple of days ago and his right foot had some red at the ankle. I thought it was blood from maybe a pulled blood feather, cleaned him up and found no source on examining him.
Yesterday, his foot was red again,,, it looked more pinkish red but was a mess. I noticed some red digested food under his favorite perch and that his food bowl was empty (unusual) and thought he might have gone down there to eat? Cleaned him up, examined his foot area again. Nothing more.
Today, he’s done it again. Appears maybe that he is regurgitating?! He eats the pelleted fruit colored food, some of which is that red color. However, I also have concerns over the possibility of his shredding the newspaper tunnels that we make for him that he loves to play in. One of the later papers used did have some red ink on the paper. But I removed that days ago, when trying to figure out how his foot got red.
Oliver is really missing his paper tunnels to play in, but I must get to the source of what’s going on with him. He is acting like his usual self otherwise. Though I am a bit puzzled by this sticky, gloppy, reddish pink that keeps ending up all over his right foot which is his favored foot for head grooming and preening. I also did find traces of the substance around his beak, but not his vents or eyes. Tonight my daughter pointed out a good size glob on his open cage door. I used a wooden craft stick to scoop into a baggie to take to vet in the a.m. if she needs to see it and Oliver is clean at the time.
ANY IDEAS ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR CONURE?
Bird vet informed me that what Oliver is doing is um…er… well, he’s displaying his desire to help create some babies. The regurgitation is supposed to be attractive (believe it or not). Although this has NEVER happened before.
Here in Indy we’ve had an unusually tropical and long spring/summer and into fall. About mid year I began making these newspaper tent/tunnels on the top of his cage that he enjoys playing in and shredding. Although some people are concerned that the inks used in newspaper could be toxic, the vet told me that years ago the toxic inks were removed to protect even people who were eating newspaper!
So the weather and the availability of a “nest” helped launch Oliver into hormonal overload. The end result? No more tunnels for Oliver because I don’t need a frustrated bird on my hands. He doesn’t like cold showers and I’m not really into turning this place into a LOVE nest for conures. No thank you!
Waggers Club 2009 Underway
We have begun our 2009 year in 4H Dog Club. Happily we have almost everyone returning from last year. A couple of kids have new dogs this year. On top of that we have several new students. It’s great to meet new kids and their dogs and the parents who bring them.
We are again meeting from 6:30 – 8:30 on Thursday nights at the Marion County Fairgrounds in the 4H building or just outside of it on nicer days. We will have one day (MAY 14th) when we must meet elsewhere; otherwise we will routinely meet here until time to vacate for County Fair Preparation.
If you are joining us for Warren Waggers 4H Dog Club. There are a few things you should know.
1.) ENROLLMENT: This 4H Club is for children grades 3-12 who register for the dog project with 4H through the County Extension Office. However, you may enroll at your first club meeting up until the May 15th deadline. Also, children from neighboring county may join us as long as they enroll with Marion County 4H and do NOT show projects at another county fair.
2) CLASSES: All dog project kids must take part in the obedience aspect of the club. We also teach showmanship and dog agility which are also competitive at the county fair and if you chose, the Indiana State Fair. Also, we encourage each student to also sign up for the dog poster project. We are easily learning enough about dogs through the year as to make this an easy project for them to complete and compete.
3) ANIMAL CARE: Animals coming to club MUST BE CURRENT ON ALL OF THERE VACCINATIONS. There is a 4H Veterinarian form available at this link or may be obtained at club. NO ANIMAL MAY attend a club meeting without proof of current vaccinations. The completed designated form is required by the 4H organization and needs to be signed by your veterinarian. Any dog showing signs of illness, in “season”, showing signs of fleas or other physical disability should not come to club, however the child may attend without the animal during its recuperation so as to stay up to date on training sessions.
4) BEHAVIOR: The main objective of our club is to train obedience. Not that we leaders are training the animals. Rather, that we leaders teach the kids how to train their own animals. The 4Hers are to be the principle caretakers of the animals. They learn responsibility, animal care and training skills, and record keeping. They grow in confidence as “masters” of their animals. The animals develop skills of obedience and being a good canine citizen. It is a wonderful process to witness and be a part of.
5) REQUIRED FORMS:
a) 4H enrollment form and enrollment fee
b) Vet Form – http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/downloads/Dog/4H671W.pdf.
c) Marion County 4H Fair Dog Show pre-enrollment – Due June 15th
d) Indiana State 4H Dog Show Enrollment form (optional)
e) Dog Record Sheet
6) RESULTS: We have fun learning by doing!!
We have a new “pack” each year. Each 4Her and animal are a team. All 4Hers and their animals form a family unit “pack”. The parents usually stay and socialize with each other and participate with some of the club activities, and all of us together are THE WARREN WAGGERS 4H DOG CLUB!
If you need more information, just leave a comment with your email and I will contact you back.
A Little Birdy Told Me
Well, a not-so-little Patagonia Conure parrot actually told me to hang in there. This post surgery pain has GOT to let up soon. Oliver, the bird, actually jumped off of his cage, waddled down the hallway, climbed up the sheets and onto my shoulder. He was concerned about me and new that the Spirit the wonder dog had kept coming in here to see me.
Therefore, not to be outdone, Oliver made the extra effort to show that dogs are not the only loyal pets in this household.
You can see other flickr photos of my pets’ bedside manners by clicking here.
Bath Time
After feeding it is bath time; messaging clean and then down belly and to the tail to help newborns learn to eliminate after eating and outside of the sleeping area.
Plus by noticing their elimination, I can tell if they are digesting well. That and their energy level tell me they are doing fine so far. : )
This is wild mama rabbit behavior and Sable is learning to clean not only himself but also his sibling.
Time to Eat
Though not the softest of nipples, the monoject helps me deliver the formula (condensed milk, goats milk, clover honey and soluble vitamins). I am very careful to not depress the plunger too fast so as to prevent aspiration.
I learned that bunnies of this age, eyes are not opened yet, will eat about 2 times a day and about 2 ml per feeding. Most important feeding time is between midnight and 5 a.m..
Whatever the cc/ml amount, I look to the little one to tell me when it is full and look for signs of a nice rounded tummy when done.