cbri3
Weaned Todd
Mina
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 73
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Post by cbri3 on May 23, 2005 13:29:18 GMT -7
Dear all,
I am in the process of building a relationship with our new member of the family Mina. She is approx. 1yr6 months old, and we've had her for 3 weeks now. She has made great improvements since we got her, and she feels comfortable on the roof of her cage. When we try to cuddle her, like touching her head, she doesn't try to bite us, but she stiffens and she gives us no feedback of appreciation. What shall we do? is this normal, she's been acting like this for the past week.
Keen of building a relationship
Thanks
Catherine
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Post by Jane on May 23, 2005 14:35:01 GMT -7
Three weeks isn't very long in terms of making a relationship and you say she has come on in that time so I think things are going well. It is just a case of more time and patience. You say she has been like this for the last week, what was she like the previous two? Where was she before you got her; she might not be used to being stroked. Try offering her food, straight into her beak, this will help with bonding. Also, if she is on the top of her cage and higher up than you this can make them more aloof.
Jane
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on May 23, 2005 15:46:28 GMT -7
Hi Cath, People sometimes take lightly the fact that we say it takes time. We are speaking of months not weeks, or days. Trust us when we say: the rewards are tenfold! ;D
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Post by Catherine on May 23, 2005 23:06:02 GMT -7
Dear Jane and Preston,
Thank you for your advise. Mina was in a very large cage with many other parrots before we got her. She was very wild during the 1st day. Whenever we moved close to the cage, she started shouting with anger and trying to bite us. She has surpussed that stage. By the way, whenever I try to give her food, she takes it and throws it away immediately, I don't know whether it's a kind of game for her.
Thanks for your help, it is very much appreciated.
Catherine
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Post by Africanewbie on May 24, 2005 10:18:04 GMT -7
Like Jane and Preston have advised it takes "time" and "patience". Mina is still in the process of adjusting to a new home and new people. You have to build her trust in you so be very calm, gentle and loving at all times. Keep her cage in an area where you and the other family members are most often in.
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Post by Catherine on May 24, 2005 23:28:21 GMT -7
Hi,
We are very patient with Mina, and what I like most about her is that she never tries to bite us. Considering that she is not used to people, I think that it's a very good sign. Unfortunately, yesterday my husband found out that she has a lump, the size of (approx 2cm diameter). He shall be taking her to the vet today. Let's just hope it's nothing serious.
Regards to all and have a nice day!
Catherine
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on May 25, 2005 7:04:31 GMT -7
Where is the lump? If it's back by the tail they call that a preening gland and is normal.
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Post by Catherine on May 25, 2005 7:20:08 GMT -7
yes, the lump is back at the tail, a little bit on the side.
That makes me feel lot better, but we'll take her to the vet just the same. The only problem is that there are no avian vets in my country (Malta) so we'll just take her to a general vet.
Thanks for your advise.
Cath
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Post by Cath on May 25, 2005 10:19:03 GMT -7
Hi Preston,
It's me again, with so many questions about my little Mina. I have browsed the web for Preening Glands. But cannot understand whether this gland is permanent, or whether it shall go down eventually.
Will keep u updated.
Cath
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cbri3
Weaned Todd
Mina
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 73
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Post by cbri3 on May 27, 2005 22:03:28 GMT -7
Dear friends
I am still worried about this preening gland. I have taken Mina to the vet, but he has no idea of what the lump can be, moreover he doesn't know what a preengland is. He told us to wait to see whether it grows in size or not, should it grow, he said that he will operate, however, he has never operated a bird before (which makes me go crazy). Does any body know whether a preen gland is situated at the top, before the tail, or beneath, before the tail starts. Mina's lump is beneath. Please help, as I'm very worried.
Thanks
Catherine
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Post by Jane on May 28, 2005 1:36:44 GMT -7
It sounds as if it could be the preen or uropygial gland although this is more on the back, where the tail meets the body. The trouble is that some vets do not know about it. It is present throughout life and produces secretions which which help keep the feathers supple as the bird preens. Some birds, such as Amazons do not have one but Greys do.
Jane
P.S. I would be worried about this vet operating as well.
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cbri3
Weaned Todd
Mina
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 73
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Post by cbri3 on May 28, 2005 6:56:30 GMT -7
Yes, I am really worried. Basically her lump is very close to where she eerrrrm poops, but a little bit sideways, not exactly in the middle. We have heard about a vet,(not avian) who has some experience on birds, but he is abroad. We'll visit him as soon as he's back on the island. I will also take with me any literature I found regardig the preening gland, just in case he hasn't heard about it either.
Sorry for asking too many questions, but i feel lost and worried. I never thought that I was going to encounter such a problem when coming to finding an avian vet. I think that unless there is someone specialized to take care of these creaters, Grey's should be legalized in the first place.
Anyway, thanks for your continuous help and support.
Regards
Catherine
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Post by Jane on May 28, 2005 8:24:03 GMT -7
I don't think it is the preen gland in that case. Try not to worry, (although I know you are) she will sense it, and it could turn out to be harmless. Keep us updated.
Jane
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cbri3
Weaned Todd
Mina
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 73
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Post by cbri3 on May 29, 2005 9:52:28 GMT -7
Jane
Thank you foryour continuous support. Will definitly keep up informed.
Regards
Catherine
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cbri3
Weaned Todd
Mina
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 73
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Post by cbri3 on May 30, 2005 13:54:16 GMT -7
Dear Friends,
As i promised, here's Mina's update:
The vet has come back from abroad and he checked her up today. Although he's not an avian vet, he seems very professional on aviaries. Her lump is made of fat, which has developed due to malnutrition she had before we bought her. It can either go and get larger with time. If it gets larger, he will have to operate. He told us to take her for another check up in 3 months time, unless to see any adverse changes.
Good night to all.
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