Chloe's Trip to Dr. Clubb

[gary&chloe]

It is 97 miles, one way, to see Dr. Clubb. I had all four windows open and the two vent windows in the front open. (Shirley, back before your time, cars came with vent windows on the drivers door and passenger door. There was no AC, back then, so you had to turn the vent open and direct cool air from outside, directly on yourself.)
Chloe just absolutely LOVED it. She was in her travel cage, but her feathers were flying. Once or twice I glanced over and she had her wings open, what little bit she has, to try and catch the air. I could really tell that she was in bird heaven.
I was a little concerned about my car. It is a 1968 and it isn't sealed as good as some cars today. I was afraid she and I might be affixiated by the fumes.
She would come over beside me and talk. Then she would go back over by her window and enjoy the air. I think she was coming over to tell me what a great experience it was. She was reallyhappy, that is for sure.
Dr. Clubb and I talked for about 25 or 30 minutes and we decided it would be best to do more blood work. And she got a swab from Chloe's throat and vent. Plus she did Chloe's nails and beek. I ask that her beak not be trimmed as much as last time. Chloe was in pain for a couple of days last time. She did a really nice job this time.
Chloe's beak grows more on the left side than the right, which I have read is normal for a Cockatoo. BUT it grows so much that it makes her beak close uneven. Personally, I think she does fine with it that way, but Dr. Clubb is the expert. We should get the results by Thursday of next week.
Then the trip home and Chloe was loving it just as much.
Today, she stood on the back of my chair for the length of a whole TV movie and just stared outside. I felt sorry for her so I took her out and we played in the grass. I think she missed the air blowing on her and making her feel like she was a bird again. AND, for the first time in over a year, she flapped her wings and tried to fly to the floor from my lap. She did pretty good. I made a big fuss about what a big girl she was.
I think I need to take her for more rides in the future. And I enjoyed seeing her so happy. After all, she is my Princess and I want her to be as happy as possible.

[Shirley]

...(Shirley, back before your time, cars came with vent windows on the drivers door and passenger door. There was no AC, back then, so you had to turn the vent open and direct cool air from outside, directly on yourself.)...
:rotflmao: Gary... our car had those side vents, triangular shaped, with the chrome curved handle to open them. My brother called them his "motorcycles" and I still don't know why... and we didn't have a/c in our cars or house until I was out of college... Mom didn't have a clothes dryer until 1979, 18 mos before she passed away :( We always used a clothes line outside... Now... who's more ancient? My father never had indoor plumbing until he joined the Navy... that's no joke. He was born in 1921 in southern Tennessee -- at home in the country on a farm.

[Shirley]

And I loved your story and all the descriptions of how you felt that Chloe felt. What a cool children's movie that would make... or story. You should write it and illustrate it with her photos!

[parrotgirl]

Gary you have a way to express things, that makes me feel as though I'm right there in the car with you and chloe and watching the things she does. Its amazing. You really should write a story.

I still don't have a clothes drier, am still puting my washing out on the line. Had one a few years back but couldn't get on with it.

[Shirley]

I never missed having one as a kid... and there were three kids in the family.. now I wonder how mom did it... hanging all those towels and sheets and clothes on the line and using the collapsible dowel rod clothes dryer in the basement when it was winter time. She also had these wire "stretchers" that you run up pants legs to dry them nice and straight. That saved on ironing. She used them on dad's work slacks (we didn't wear jeans everywhere all the time back in those days... )

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Gary, I loved your story of Chloe :heart: Shirley is right, you should make it into a book-hey, I would buy one, so I could read it to Merlin and Shelby :rotflmao:

[tropiclegirl]

That is such a cute story Gary. I can just picture you guys driving along and Chloe with her little wings all open enjoying the fresh air:p .

Shirley my dad didnt have indoor plumbing either. First time he saw an indoor bathroom was when he came up here around the age of 17 or so. He is from Knoxville Tenn. My mom is from Shelbyville Tenn. They tell me stories all the time about not having a washer and dryer and cooking food on a pot belly stove. We take for granted all the luxuries of todays appliances. I complain about having to take clothes out of the dryer or having to unload the dishwasher, life is so hard these days :rofl:

[Jean]

I also loved your and Chloe's story. It's so well told I' have a mental picture of Chloe, your vehicle and your trip. :wub: I remember those little windows. My last car that had them was a 1959 & 1965 Cadillac. Those were good old cars. Your such a good cockatoo parent. :heart:

I know what you mean how the lower mandible of a cockatoo gets so uneven. A lot of Elvie's is due to his constant playing and chewing. I try to keep his trimmed with the dremmel about once a month so it stays in better shape. If I let it go it is like uneven fangs. :eek:

[Shirley]

Tina! My dad is from Pulaski, TN, and I have relatives in Hendersonville (outside Nashville), Columbia, and mostly around Pulaski on dad's side of the family... and to think he married a NYC girl - my mom!

So... you aren't that old -- are you? But then, my dad's brother who didn't join the Navy didn't have indoor plumbing until his daughter was out of high school... and she was valedictorian of her class, had waist-length blonde hair, and was absolutely gorgeous - and never had indoor plumbing. She is older than I am by about 3-4 yrs. (I'm 54)

[tropiclegirl]

I'm 34 and my dad was born in 42 ;) My entire family is from the south. I am the only one born here in the north lol

[Shirley]

My father was born in '21. We ended up in Indiana b/c Mom was from NY and Dad from TN, so they figured Purdue U. would be a good place for him attend college and be "midway" between their home states... we visited TN a lot more often than NY. I was born in NY, but only lived there 3 mos and then they moved to IN.

How tall are you? The women I've met from TN, related and not, have been tall... I'm 5'9" and I have female cousins who are taller.

[gary&chloe]

Oh Lord... I was born before Tina's dad... What is this "in door" plumbing and "clothes dryers" ??? We didn't have indoor plumbing until I was 13.

I've never had a clothes dryer in my life. I've always hung clothes on the line. The sun kills the germs that the soap misses. I bought my TV in 1984. Got rid of it in 1985. Bought my car, new, in 1967. Bought my microwave in 1984. I don't like all this new fangled stuff that you kids go for. Just more stuff that breaks and catches dust.

Come to think about it, I bought my Maytag clothes washer to wash my daughters diapers after the diaper service that we were given ran out. She was born in January of '63...

You kids don't know about anything... Why I can remember having to ...GARY !!! Get a grip!!!

[tropiclegirl]

Oh Lord... I was born before Tina's dad... What is this "in door" plumbing and "clothes dryers" ??? We didn't have indoor plumbing until I was 13.

I've never had a clothes dryer in my life. I've always hung clothes on the line. The sun kills the germs that the soap misses. I bought my TV in 1984. Got rid of it in 1985. Bought my car, new, in 1967. Bought my microwave in 1984. I don't like all this new fangled stuff that you kids go for. Just more stuff that breaks and catches dust.

Come to think about it, I bought my Maytag clothes washer to wash my daughters diapers after the diaper service that we were given ran out. She was born in January of '63...

You kids don't know about anything... Why I can remember having to ...GARY !!! Get a grip!!!

:rofl: You have me crackin up Gary!

Well Shirley thats funny, on my mom's side there short and Dad's side there tall. My mom is 5'3 her mom was 4'9. My Dad is 6'1 and all the women on his side were also tall. I am 5'6, kind of in the middle, not too short and not to tall just kind of average i guess :funny:

[gary&chloe]

I just got the call from Dr. Clubb on Chloe's test results. Her white blood cell count is elevated so they are sending some antibiotics. Also, the swab that she did Chloe's throat and vent area got lost in the lab so they are sending me another swab to do it myself.

My white blood cell count was high when my appendicts was bad. Do birds have an appendicts ??? Shirley will know.

White blood cells (leukocytes) help fight infection in your body. A normal white blood cell count is between 4,500 and 10,000 cells per microliter. A high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) isn't a specific disease. But it may indicate an underlying problem that requires medical evaluation. Causes of a high white blood cell count include:

Infection
Use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, antibiotics or anti-seizure drugs
Severe physical or emotional stress
Chronic bone marrow diseases such as a myeloproliferative disorder
Acute or chronic leukemia
Tissue damage, such as from burns

But this is for people. What about a cockatoo ???

[gary&chloe]

White blood cell count (leukocyte count): The number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. The WBC is usually measured as part of the CBC (complete blood count). White blood cells are the infection-fighting cells in the blood and are distinct from the red (oxygen-carrying) blood cells known as erythrocytes. There are different types of white blood cells, including neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes; PMNs), band cells (slightly immature neutrophils), T-type lymphocytes (T cells), B-type lymphocytes (B cells), monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. All the types of white blood cells are reflected in the white blood cell count. The normal range for the white blood cell count varies between laboratories but is usually between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per cubic millimeter of blood. This can also be referred to as the leukocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.3 - 10.8 x 109 cells per liter.

Maybe I worry too much ??? What do you think ???

[gary&chloe]

Stress will elevate your white blood cell count.... Hmmmm....

I wonder if a 97 mile trip in a 1968 Ford Falcon Station wagon, with no air conditioning, on Interstate 95, where you can see the highway through holes in the floorboards, would constitute stress ???

Maybe when the semi's come by and they "move" the car three feet to one side or the other might help...

Didn't bother me but I've been doing it since 1968... This was Chloe's first trip. She seemed to enjoy the trip back, or maybe she was praying to the Cockatoo God to "Just take me out of this place... I promise to never squawk at 10 PM again."

[Shirley]

Gosh Gary, when's the exam? Can we use our notes?? :help: :rotflmao:

Well, the only thing I know about the "appendicts" is that it's spelled "appendix". :school:

And from what I recall... corticosteroids are never ever to be used on birds... If I remember correctly, that would result in a fatality. :eek:

Since you brought up human and avian infections, illness, meds, etc...

Never give a bird aspirin.

Never use tri-biotic creams, etc, that we use for cuts/burns/etc.

Do not pull primary or secondary flight feathers if they are bleeding (or for any reason). They are embedded in the wing bone... and besides outrageous pain, other damage could occur. See your avian vet - and apply pressure to prevent bleeding in the meantime.

Don't use styptic powder or "styptic powder for pets/birds" on bleeding blood feathers. Use flour or corn starch.

In fact, never administer any drugs or first aid ointments/pills/creams/sprays without consulting your avian vet.

Just because we can give a dog certain "human" meds, does not mean we can give those meds to a bird, or a cat for that matter.

And see your avian vet -- don't follow my advice... my memory might be messed up! :nuts:

[gary&chloe]

SEE ??? I told you guys. Shirley knows everything. Now you can see why I'm turning my work over to her when I pass on into the Great Aviary in the sky.

No cages. No barriers. And no wives...

[Shirley]

...

And see your avian vet -- don't follow my advice... my memory might be messed up! :nuts:

Gary, did you miss that last line??? :shrug: :rotflmao:

[gary&chloe]

Chloe's medication came today. Baytril Susp. ML

I give her 0.5cc on her peanut butter at night, and 0.5cc on her oatmeal in the morning, for seven days.

That means I have to get up an hour earlier. But she is worth it.

[Ginny]

You are right Gary.....she is worth it. :) Give her a kiss from me and tell her I hope she gets to feeling better real soon.

[Jean]

Gary, I just caught up with this thread. It's been a busy two weeks working. It seems like all I do is drive in rain, snow or ice storms.

Give Chloe special hugs and kisses from me too. I hope the meds kick in soon.

[Sue]

Chloe's medication came today. Baytril Susp. ML

I give her 0.5cc on her peanut butter at night, and 0.5cc on her oatmeal in the morning, for seven days.

That means I have to get up an hour earlier. But she is worth it.

Toto was on Baytril which I put in oatmeal too.
Big hugs to Chloe:wub:

[gary&chloe]

I decided to just finish the bottle off. Instead of 7 days, it went 10 days. The funny thing is, while on the baytril, her feathers seem to grow better. She now has three tail feathers of "normal" length and two wing feathers on her right wing, of "normal" length.

Also, the other day, I was in our walk-in shower and she was standing on the ledge flapping her wings like she wanted to fly. Of course it takes more than two wing feathers, but that is the first time I have ever seen her do that. She would hold her wings out and walk around the bathroom, just chattering away. And then she would just flap her wings, really hard, just like she was wanting to fly.

I was quite proud of her. I've been told that flapping their wings is great exercise, plus I think it makes her feel more like a cockatoo.

We, meaning Chloe and I, finished off the second fruit cake today. She loves it. She will eat anything but the cherry. She doesn't like the cherry part. Now if the mince meat pie will just hurry and get here from England.

I met an English lady, Mandy, at a party on Friday night. She was amazed that I had never had Cadbury chocolate. And I was shocked when she said "You don't actually eat Hershey Chocolate do you ?" She said English chocolate is better because of not having so many perservatives in it. She promised to send me some Cadbury Roses, which she said are to die for.

She also set me straight on the gun issue in England. She said no one, including the bad guys, are suppose to have guns. And she is totally against guns. She was SHOCKED that I would carry a gun in public, even if it is concealed.

She teaches math at Lancaster University but lives in Overton. Very interesting lady. I really enjoyed our talk.

[Shirley]

Interesting post, Gary!
And German chocolate is also to die for...

Guns aren't carried by the "bad guys" in the countries we visited, either, and both our German exchange students were appalled that Wal-Mart would sell milk, clothing, and GUNS!

It freaked the first one out so much that I had a small pistol locked in a special gun box, that we never told the 2nd one. Imagine if they visited Trevor today and saw his small arsenal in his apartment...

You know, Skyler was on Baytril several times... for 10 days... but it was the time last summer when he was on it for something like SIX WEEKS that it seemed to really knock out something and his feathers grew in quickly and beautifully.

[gary&chloe]

It seems that countries that don't allow guns for law abiding citizens have a lot higher violent crime rate than the one's that do. But who knows why. Seems to go the same for the states here in the United States. Washington DC is the murder capital of the US and there you have to leave your home if someone breaks in. You can't use any force to defend yourself. Go figure.

I'm giving Chloe 1/2 tsp of AviCalm in 8 oz of water and 1/2 tsp of Featheriffic on her food everyday. I make sure it's in the water that she needs after she has her peanut butter so she gets 5 or 6 good gulps. It contains L-Theanine in a maltodextrin base, whatever that means.

The Featheriffic is a nutritional supplement with digestive enzymes, electrolytes, calcium, beta carotene and amino acids. I'm sure I wasted my money but we'll see.

She did her wing flapping thing again today and she marched around the bathroom with her wings out for at least two or three minutes. Other than that she still has her three tail feathers and another coming in. I can't find her wing feathers though, so she must have bit them off.

[tropiclegirl]

Gary you will love the Cadbury chocolate, mmmm! :drool2:

Guns aren't carried by the "bad guys" in the countries we visited, either, and both our German exchange students were appalled that Wal-Mart would sell milk, clothing, and GUNS!

It freaked the first one out so much that I had a small pistol locked in a special gun box, that we never told the 2nd one. Imagine if they visited Trevor today and saw his small arsenal in his apartment...:rofl:


She did her wing flapping thing again today and she marched around the bathroom with her wings out for at least two or three minutes. Other than that she still has her three tail feathers and another coming in. I can't find her wing feathers though, so she must have bit them off. What a little cutie, i can just picture her :wub: