I have a Nanday Conure (named "Ruby") that needs some injections.

I'd greatly appreciate it if those of you who know would please advise on proper technique and body areas to give injections to parrots, subcutaneous as well as intramuscular.

Thanks,

Max

Welcome to parrotchatter,

I think it would be best to have your avian vet who prescribed the injections rather show you.

hi Max, While I am more then willing to share our experiences with giving injections (we have done it for several birds) you REALLY need to work with your vet and have them show you. The smallest error can be deadly for your bird.


We have given sub q fluids to Ghandie an Alexandrine Ringneck, antibiotics to Bourkes, keets, finches, macaw, conures and cockatoos.........

This is NOT something to be taken lightly. While people here can share fears, success and challenges, I would advise ANYONE against giving "how to instructions" this can be deadly. I am sure people here would not want to be responsible if your vet feels something should be done another way.

What is wrong with your Nanday? What are the injections? How much? How often? Are they Sub Q or IM? Did they talk to you about alternating sides so you don't bruise one side too often? Did they talk about doing 2 injections daily instead of one incase the amount of material is too large?

Please, I know you want help and advice, but please- talk this over with your vet.

Again, we do injections here on a regular basis, it is NOT to be taken lightly.

doreen

Good advise...

I have to agree, talk to your vet.

Dear 2Horse, HomeTweet & Jeanne:

Ruby has a relatively mild case of heavy metal toxicosis (probably lead or zinc), and the DVM wants $1,300+ for a full course 5-day in-clinic treatment. Unfortunately, I can't afford it right now, but would still like to give Ruby the treatment he needs ASAP. The course of treatment that the vet wants to provide is well established, and I've researched it thoroughly. Essentially, it consists of twice daily injections of Calcium EDTA (CaEDTA) suspended in sterile saline solution (for Ruby, because of his small size, the CaEDTA concentration should be 20mg/ml in order to inject 0.25ml twice daily, for an effective delivery of 5mg each time), coupled with Penicillamine orally.

I've been giving Ruby Penicillamine orally, at 10mg/ml (5mg twice daily), and he tolerates it well (d-penicillamine can sometimes be toxic, depending on the subject). But he really needs the CaEDTA injections to quickly chelate the lead or zinc out of his system and get back to normal (at present, he acts normally and has regained much of his energy and enthusiasm, but his right leg & foot are still paralyzed from the knee down; for comparison, at the beginning of all this he was in really bad shape and both legs & feet were "in paresis").

I am well aware that injecting Ruby is something not to be taken lightly, which is why I posted here, since that is the only piece of information that I'm still missing.

Unfortunately, vets seem to keep info on avian injection techniques a closely guarded secret, probably because, more than any other reason, they want to make the money!

I understand and very much appreciate your concerns, but please rest assured that I am an extremely meticulous and careful person, who would not inject my Ruby unless I feel completely confident in my ability to do so safely. I've injected people, dogs and cats in the past, IM as well as SC. All I need at this point are some good pointers and techniques on how to safely inject medium-sized parrots, preferably subcutaneously.

If you or anybody else would feel inclined to share their knowledge with me, I'd be most grateful. If, for safety's sake, it were preferred to keep the info out of these posts, which everybody can see, then please feel free to send me a private message instead.

To you and all members, thank you kindly for any information you may be able to provide regarding this topic.

Sincerely,

Max

Max an alternative may be the oral chelating agent, DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid). This is what I treated my Green Winged Macaw hen with for Zinc Toxicity. If memory serves me, it ran about $50 a prescription and I had it compounded for her in a fruity flavor.

Hi Max, First, as already mentioned- why not oral meds? But, if injections are going to be used, I am shocked that the vet wouldn't show you how to do it. Can you tell me where you are? Possibly there is another avian vet that can help. My vet was all to happy to show me many years ago because it takes away another burdeon from the hospital staff. Having to give all patients in the hospital isn't easy.

When I was a tech, it was a pain to have 6 or 7 animals that could have been treated at home IN the hospital. The owners/guardians could have done them- but they didn't want to... or emotionally couldn't.

That all being said. You must make sure you hold the bird properly. Two people is MUCH easier and safer. You slip- you could inject too deep, in the wrong place, I know a woman who slipped with the needle and punctured her macaws eye. You also want to alternate sides so one area doesn't get too bruised or tender. Keep a chart on the wall if you have to. "right side morning, left side night".

I would just ask the vet again. I would be REALLY upset if my vet wouldn't teach me something so simple and demand the bird stay in the hospital care. ALSO the price is OUTRAGIOUS and uncalled for. I would like several people here on the board to ask their vets what the price for treatment is. I can't imagine that $1300 is an average.

will post more later but I need to put my tweets up for the night.

doreen

Is that $1,300 for everything??? What if you were to bring your bird in daily for the shot? Good Lord I can see why you'd want to do it at home yourself but the vet should at least teach you the correct way to administer the medication.

Doreen is right, perhaps another vet would be more helpful. Where are you located?

All I can say is that I agree with all the others. Do not do this yourself. Do you know an Certified Avian Tech that you might pay to help you with it? Is there a Veterinarian College nearby? The interns usually do this for a small product fee.

This is scaring me to death! Of course I should add I wouldn't be able to give an injection to an orange! Ruby says "Don't do it!"