Healthy checkup for Merlin

[roxynoodle]

:encouragement:

Merlin received a healthy check up today, yay! And she will be off all medication for the summer.

We also discussed a long acting hormonal block that is placed under the skin that my vet learned about in Europe. It is commonly used in Europe for older female birds to stop them from cycling and she discussed both her 100 year old amazon (who laid eggs last year, can you believe it?) and my Merlin. She's going to try it in her zon first and if she is happy with the results we may give it to Merlin as well.

[Pinkbirdy]

Wow thats great [sounds like you have a great vet]

[Honesty]

YAY! Thats great news Audrey :desismileys_0606::desismileys_0606:

[Antoinette]

Happy for both you and Merlin
Keep us updated with the results of the hormonal block
It sounds so interesting
:th_GREY:

[CrazyBirdLady]

I am so glad it was good news! Yay Merlin!

[keepsmiling]

So glad to hear the good news. It must be a relief. You are such a good birdy mom.:angel:

[roxynoodle]

Thanks everyone. Merlin is my most difficult child as far as health goes.

The hormone block is placed under the skin using only a local nerve block first, so no general anesthesia. The vet would do the nerve block, set her down with me for about 20 minutes for it to take effect and then put it in.

She is a great vet. She was just in Europe renewing her European certification and while there talked to several vets about her zon and Merlin and they told her about the hormone block and she brought some back with her.

[roxynoodle]

Oh, and we stopped at my dog/cat vet on the way back to pick up more heartworm meds for Vana and Merlin was quite the hit there. They've never had a bird come in so they were all talking to her and kissing her. They asked if they could keep her, lol!

[Blancaej]

That is great news that she is healthy! That's incredible, a 100 year old Amazon. Wow!

[roxynoodle]

I'll have to get a picture of the old zon for everyone. I noticed on another thread yesterday someone saying birds don't "age" like we do. Actually they do. You can tell by looking at this century lady that she's old. Her beak is different, though hard to describe. You would see what I mean in a picture. Her feathers aren't as vibrant as younger birds and her eye ring is really big. In the front it goes all the way to her beak. That lucky lady zon has a 20 year old mate though, lol!

I can tell Merlin isn't a young Grey, and Pete, my 30+ year old zon doesn't look like Codie (Wendy's 1.5 year old guy). Rowdy's eye rings have gotten larger as she's aged as well.

[Honesty]

It just goes to show then, that Old Age shows on Birds, as well as us Humans:(

[Crys12065]

That is great news!! Merlin is lucky to have you!


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[Mare]

I'm happy for your "good news" check-up! Do birds grey like us and dogs as they get that old?

[Pinkbirdy]

I know my 30 plus year old Blu front Zon [has less blue ] than a younger one. His face isnt as smooth [maybe like wrinkles ?] He was a rehome [I was told he was 11] .I thought [no way :) ] Found out hes wild caught ,and at least 30 years old . He could be older.I wish he would just tell me .He tells me everything else LOL :) Roxy- love to hear all about the life of that older zon.

[Mare]

I was telling my daughter about how old this vet's zon is and told her to hurry up and give me some grandkids so's Amigo and Sassy will have some security when I'm gone!

[roxynoodle]

Thank you, everyone, for thinking of Merlin.

No, birds don't get gray like mammals do. Their feathers though lose their brightness in old age.

[KBEquine]

Cathy & Evan sure made the perfect choice for Merlin!

[roxynoodle]

I have been thinking though...if birds did go gray with old age, how would you notice on an African Grey :th_pinklol:

Thanks for the nice compliment, Kim!

[Mare]

Thaaat bird, is the exception!

[roxynoodle]

I'm not sure if I should be proud or embarrassed but it seems Merlin is the biggest female CAG on another (large) forum, lol!

[Pinkbirdy]

I'm not sure if I should be proud or embarrassed but it seems Merlin is the biggest female CAG on another (large) forum, lol! Id be proud [we cant all look the same :) }

[DQ IT]

Good news for Miss Merlin and for you not having to give her meds! Yay! :woohoo-dancing-bana

[roxynoodle]

Having a break from the meds has been nice :) In September she will go back on Celebrex til the end of April again.