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lyssie722
Bappie
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Location: Maryland, USA |
| Experience at the vet |
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I just had to write about this because it really disturbed me. I took Piper, my senegal, to the avian vet for a check up one month after her initial check up (she is 5 months old). The first visit was wonderful and the vet was great. She obviously loved birds and was great with Piper. After doing a feces sample, she told us to bring her back in a month. Everything was fine, but it just sounded like a routine thing to do. They also had given us a list of some things we should have done like a blood CBC and an X-ray for baseline information about Piper but they were optional. We were also interested in getting a blood test to determine her gender. I thought this would just be a knick on the toenail to get a drop of blood.
Well, at the appointment there were 2 veterinary technicians. It seemed like for one of them it was her first day; she was clueless. The other one seemed to know what she was doing -- to a point. To make a long story short, we couldn't understand where the vet was. We were told that they normally don't schedule appointments with the vet cuz it would cost and extra $50. We couldn't figure out, then, why she asked to see Piper again. We were told that they wanted to weigh her. Ok, bizarre. I mean, we weigh her daily. Then they stated we did state in our last visit we wanted to have her gender checked. We said that we did and asked about the process. Apparently, they have to draw blood from her jugular vein (in her neck!). I was shocked. I thought it could come from the toe but they said the jugular was less painful. Then I asked how much blood would be drawn and they were asking each other for the answer. They didn't know! Then I asked, "Well, how much blood does Piper have?" They didn't know that either! I couldn't believe it. Bottom line: These 2 veterinary technicians were going to be drawing some unknown amount of blood from my tiny little bird -- not even knowing how much she has! My questions to you all: Have you had your poicephalus gender tested? How did they do it? Did the vet do it or did a technician do it? I think I'll be going to another vet, but maybe it is normal for the technician to do these types of procedures? HELP! |
Tuesday June 14, 2005 1:47 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10073
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| Re: Experience at the vet |
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I can understand your worries.. Are these two techs avian specialists? If not, I'd not go there..
Iago had his blood drawn from the vein in his neck.. The vet did it, and Iago didn't seem to mind it..
I am not sure if techs do this, or vets at your country but I'd prefer an avian vet! |
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Tuesday June 14, 2005 9:49 am |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7970
Location: Australia |
Wow, that would so freak me out if it was me in your situation!!! I would have demanded for the original vet!! or I would have walked out of there. Especially with the two tech not knowing much!
Sorry I can't help you much on the blood taking side of things though. Coz I've had such an event happened yet for Apollo |
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Tuesday June 14, 2005 2:51 pm |
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lyssie722
Bappie
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Location: Maryland, USA |
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I don't know that the technicians were avian technicians. One definitely was in training and didn't even know how to interact with a bird but had "book knowledge." The other seemed to definitely have experience with birds but certainly didn't know off the top of her her head how much blood should be drawn.
Actually, we did leave that vet. We didn't have anything done that day because we were so uncomfortable. I think there was a major miscommunication. We walked in assuming we were seeing the vet. They never told us they scheduled a "technician" appointment only. They thought they were doing us a favor by saving us money by not seeing the vet but I guess they should have let us make that decision. So the vet was booked that day and I couldn't get her to be the one to draw the blood.
If it is more typical that the vet draws the blood, then I will just go to another veterinarian to get this done. I'm glad to hear Iago didn't mind blood being drawn from his neck. I was just so terrified at the sound of it. Maybe eventually I'll get this done. I need to somehow get used to the idea -- hearing others' experiences really helps. |
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Tuesday June 14, 2005 3:43 pm |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10073
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They did make the decision for you to save money?! Wow, that's something! They could also save you money by not providing medication..  I can't believe it.
Good you left that vet!
Please let me know about some other vet? |
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Wednesday June 15, 2005 8:15 am |
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lyssie722
Bappie
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Location: Maryland, USA |
They did make that decision for us. I suppose it is routine that the technicians draw blood so they probably didn't think twice about it. But we were definitely under the impression that we were seeing the vet because the vet specifically said, "I want to see Piper in a month." I thought that meant SHE literally wanted to see her. I need to call other vets and find out how they work. There are plenty of them in the area so I'm not too worried about finding one but I will probably have to do a lot of screening of them before I find the right one.
You make a good point though. What other ways are they going to try to "save us money" without us realizing it? |
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Wednesday June 15, 2005 8:05 pm |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10073
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I don't blame you.. 
Are there plenty of avian vets in your area? Or vets? Just wondering!
I'm so happy that you found out before something was really wrong with your birdy..
I don't think they'd try to 'save you money' then, but who knows.. 
Please keep me updated when you find a vet that you like and trust.. |
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Thursday June 16, 2005 8:32 am |
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