Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - October '23

Page 12, Palm City Spotlight

tip oF tHe taiL

Sudden Death … Is Rarely 1. Respond to any change in behavior or appetite. patients I see for annual exams never present with terminal

Sudden Increased or decreased hunger, becoming less active or illness. Many causes of illness in pet birds can be avoided
hyperactive, vocalizing more or less, etc., are all alarms
simply through the education that comes with regular
that should be investigated. veterinary visits. Other conditions can often be detected
2. Respond quickly. My advice to clients is to make an well before they become terminal. Everyone knows the
appointment the moment they notice something out of the value of regular checkups in people. Why shouldn’t our
ordinary. If the signs are subtle, make an appointment with feathered family get the same care? In fact, since they
a competent avian veterinarian as soon as practical. If the don’t speak well for themselves, sound physical exams and
bird gets back to normal, the appointment can always be laboratory diagnostics can speak for them.
cancelled. If the signs are serious, get help immediately. As Dr. Don J. Harris has joined Palm City Animal Medical
already described, the bird could be on its last leg. Serious Center after a long career in exotic animals as our exotic
signs include sitting quietly on the bottom of the cage, animal veterinarian.
sleeping constantly on the perch, complete loss of appetite, Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
difficulty moving around … and anything else significantly is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
different from the individual’s normal behavior. pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
3. Practice preventative maintenance. In other words, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
do regular checkups, ideally on at least an annual basis. extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
A few days ago, a client came in with a cockatiel that Chronic illness can frequently be detected before it Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
had been sick for less than 24 hours … or so he thought. becomes terminal. care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
A physical exam revealed that the 12-year-old female was Over the decades that I have been practicing, I’ve made For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
frighteningly thin, literally skin and bones. Despite all efforts a clear observation: 90 percent of the illness I see are in palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
to diagnose and save the bird, a few hours later, in intensive patients I’ve never seen before, and 90 percent of the at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
care, she died.
The truth is, the bird had not been sick for only one
day; she had probably been sick for weeks. What the Kids corner
owner observed was not the beginning of an illness, it was
the beginning of the end. The sad truth about exotic pets,
particularly birds, is that they pretend to be OK until they
are too weak to do so. With very few exceptions, at that point By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Meeker, M.D., says, “After 30 years in my medical
it’s too late for them to be saved. School Psychologist practice and extensive research, I see one common
Most pet birds are prey species. They subconsciously James and the Giant thread in children of all ages: the direct correlation
believe that predators are always lurking, hoping to find an Peach and Danny, between a father’s presence and a child’s well-being.”
easy meal. Easy meals are those individuals that are slow Champion of the World If you are a dad reading this, it’s not meant to guilt
or weak from illness or age. Therefore, in order not to be were two of Roald you. Whether you’ve messed up or think it’s too late,
targeted, pet birds usually do everything they can to look Dahl’s books my dad your child of any age still needs you. They don’t need
well even when they may be seriously or even terminally ill. read with me when perfection; they need your presence and affirmation.
Since birds pretend to be OK even when they aren’t, how I was in elementary Start small. Perhaps for you it’s asking them more
does one detect illness? There are three quite simple steps: school. Some of my thoughtful questions, taking a genuine interest in them
fondest childhood telling you about a favorite video game, or watching a
memories were reading funny video together. For other dads it is telling your
these books with my dad. We did other things together child what every child wants to hear: You love them
like playing basketball, going fishing, and riding bikes and are proud of them.
but the relational connection of sitting next to my dad Parenting is an on the job learning experience. Here
on the couch and feeling his presence and love was are a few resources to help you along the way: Meg
strong and evident. Dad gave me his precious gift of Meeker’s book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters,
time. Robert Lewis’ book Raising A Modern Day Knight
The father-child relationship is powerful and creates or John C. Maxwell’s book Intentional Living, are
a foundation for your child’s psyche to develop. Will thoughtful books to help dads along their parenting
your child feel loved and affirmed or rejected and journey. Check out AllProDad.com. Dad, you got this.
ignored by dad? As a school psychologist and dad, I Call or text to discuss your child as we test for
get it. Dads are busy. Dads might believe they don’t autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, depression, and
have the nurturing instinct that mom holds. They are anxiety. Visit JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125.
busy providing for their family. Parenting expert, Meg

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