FINCHforum

I took the 2 rescued canaries into the vet today, and I'm not sure I'm going to continue with vet.

She said that the scaley legs were maybe due to age, she didn't really see mites.

She showed me how to clip nails (never had to before) and told me that it was normal for some bleeding during the nail clipping. She had styptic powder on hand.

My question about the vet is this: IS it normal for there to be bleeding while nail clipping? Nothing I've read on the net said anything about bleeding being normal.

She also flinched away from pecking. Doesn't that seem odd in a vet?

She didn't seem entirely sure what she was doing. She offered no real information, said really nothing at all.

And our two finches--society I think-- don't sing that much. What species does?

thanks!

Okay, I am not into canaries or finches yet but I have chickens, and goats and rabbits plus dogs and hooves/toenails to clip on them. Bleeding is not normal. So in my experience never purposely cut the quick. I guess it's kinda common sense. So excuse me for that...

Here's a little diagram I drew up for you-

Good diagram. I wouldn't say it's normal for it to bleed, but it's not out of the question for there to be bleeding. You shouldn't try to cut the nails so short that you cut the quick on purpose. First of all, it's dangerous for the bird, and second of all, it hurts them!

I've had more luck with cauterizing the nail when I accidentally cut a quick (some of my guys have dark toenails) than with Styptic powder. The last time i used powder my guy knocked the clot out and it looked like a bloody massacre occurred in his cage. Luckily i caught it soon enough to stop the bleeding.

If every nail you cut is bleeding, you are cutting the nails too short. You should take little bits off often and the quick should receed some if the guys' toenails are severely overgrown and have long quicks. It's the same with most animals as Dingo said.

Unfortunately most vets aren't given much training on small birds. They are uncomfortable when asked to get out of their comfort zone... thus the flinching and not giving you any info.

Like was mentioned... bleeding can occur, but I wouldn't call it a normal part of nail clipping. If it's done correctly you shouldn't see any blood at all.

As for singing... try a Strawberry finch, Cordon Bleu, or perhaps a Canary, they are finches too.

Sounds like your vet isn't used to small birds - many aren't.

I agree the others about cutting nails. Finches don't have much blood to begin with - a bleeding nail can actually be life-threatening if they lose too much. Just make sure that you have good light and clip carefully.

Most if not all species have some sort of song. I think that societies actually have one of the prettier ones. You may have two girls if they're not singing, or if they're new the male(s) may just not be totally comfortable yet.

Even avian vets may not have very many finch patients. People are much more likely to spend $45 for an office call + tests and meds for an expensive hookbill than for a $10 Zebra finch.

thanks to everyone for the info!!!

I didn't think it was "normal" but I thought I'd check in. I still think we will shop around for another avian vet--we live in a larger city, so I'm hoping I can find someone who handles birds more frquently.

Or at least a vet that has birds....

and by the way...do only male finches sing? Our society finches are pretty quiet, and unsure of gender.

Oh dear...I hate when I get a vet who doesn't know much about the patient they're seeing. With all the vets out there, they could make a referral

Phone around. I FINALLY found a vet I like for the birds. She works with birds and exotics...and actually has finches in the waiting room! My regular vet is best with dogs and cats...

...and I also have a horse vet...

Sometimes it takes a while to find someone...but do ask around...the examination you paid for was unacceptable.

You can't always 'see' mites...sometimes you need to take a scraping and look under a microscope...

If they're societies, only the male sings.

Well, she didn't take scrapings to check for mites, just told me I could use the Scalex "if I wanted"

I have 10 birds now...I can't have a vet that is "sorta" familiar with birds.

Thanks!!!