traveling to the vet questions

[keidan]

soo I got an appointment for the vet next week and I was wondering, how should I make the travel? I'm gonna be taking 3 budgies, the thing is is that I only have 2 cages, one HUGE cage for my two budgies and the small cage for the new budgie, who BTW is in quarrantine, should I go to the pet store and ask them if they can give me 2 or 3 little boxes where they give you the budgie in? thx.

[ronsig]

You can buy a small transport cage. A cardbox box is not as good because it is better if the vet can see the bird before taking it out. They can tell a lot by the way the bird is sitting on the perch.
If they are all in the same car, the quarantine is over any way. Maybe you could take the new budgie seperately?
Good luck,

Sigrid:budgie: :budge:

[Celyste]

I'd call ahead to the vet clinic and ask if they have any loaner pet carriers. The small carriers work well for birds... and I know all the clinics in my area have loaner carriers. You pick it up ahead of time... give it a good scrub (the clinic will have cleaned it ahead of time, but they do use rather strong cleaners), and then take it back later on. It works really well if you go by the vet's every day to go to work etc and can pick up and drop off the day before and after.

[BUUZBEE]

I keep a few of these carries found at most stores, they are pretty cheep, and come in handy for vet trips

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a201/BUUZBEE/Aviary%20and%20Cages/CIMG3013.jpg

[Budgiekin]

When driving, I always make sure to put the air setting to "recirculate"; that way if you are behind a big deisel truck or other smelly vehicle, you don't suck in fumes that could potentially harm your bird, through your car's ventilation system.

I find that because we move the cages around pretty frequently (3-4 times per day), our budgies are used to cage movement and handle the vet trips very well. Our budgies are upstairs at night, then we bring them downstairs during the day, and then into another room for out-of-cage playtime. They're used to all the rattling of their cages!

[Tina]

I am glad this question was asked.I was wondering myself today how i would get my birds to the vet. Just found a little carrier on ebay

[keidan]

ehhhhhhhh carriers sound awesome, but my budget right now is kinda tight, ill see prices online, but any cheaper ideas are very welcome :)

[keidan]

guess not? :( guess theres no such thing as cheap love :) i found one online for 12 bucks (shipping included) but i dont think it'll be here in time... we'll see...

[ronsig]

You could try thrift shops and garage or rummage sales. Check for ads in your local newspaper.
I got a very nice bird cage at a church rummage sale for 3 $.
It depends what kind of thrift shops or second hand shops you have in your town. But it is worth a try!!
If you cannot find a cage, phone the vet for advice.

Good luck,

Sigrid:budgie: :budge:

[Wonderbird]

Be sure to cover the carrier when you are out. I have a carrier that is covered quite nicely with a hand towel. Then when I am indoors I can partially uncover it. :)

[catsnkeets]

I kept the small cage I had for my first budgie and use that to make vet visits. If your new one wasn't in quarintine I would say use that. Do you have any friends you could borrow a small cage from? You could consider buying an ordinary pet carrier as a last resort. Walmart has them here for under $15. Make sure you're relaxed when you take your birds. They can pick up on your mood. I don't know if it was just my birds or what, but I was imagining the worst when it came time for me to take them the first time. All the worry was a waste of time though. They weren't stressed and didn't behave too badly. I was really surprised. They didn't even fluff their feather at all. Maybe it was just me and my vet, but I wouldn't worry too much.