[*Echo]

Hi all,

In case you missed my numerous other threads stressing out, Kuzco and I are flying seven hours away for a job. The airport security was being difficult (in another thread) so I made the decision to have him clipped for the first time out of fear of losing him in the airport. I took Kuzco to the vet on Friday and while he normally loves the vet, he was acting weird. It's like he knew they were going to mess with him haha. My vet is fantastic at his job, but Kuzco was so wiggly that he kept sliding around in the vet's grip and twisted in such a way so suddenly that my vet let him go because he was worried he'd break his neck. It took two vet techs to hold him still while they clipped him. Kuzco was so upset by the whole thing that when I asked him to fly off my finger on command (which he's used to), he just dropped straight to the floor like a rock. He didn't even try to fly or put his wings out to land. We heard his keel bone hit the floor and had to check to make sure it wasn't injured. When I put him back in his cage, he sat on his favorite perch and was silent. When I took him out to comfort him, he hid in my hood and wouldn't come out for two hours. I bought him some millet covered nutriberries and he wouldn't touch them. Today is day three of this behaviour. He was better today, though still very jumpy and reserved. I took him out and he talked to me a little and gave me some kisses. He explored the room a little, but then he tried to fly and glided to the floor. I ran over and scooped him up, but he shut down again and went back to his cage. He's been like this all day. He's almost himself and then he remembers he can't fly and then he just shuts down emotionally and goes to sleep in his cage.

I feel so awful. I will never clip him again. He's due to moult very soon, so this won't last long. But he's so depressed that I've been monitoring him all day just to make sure he's eating enough. He had a bath today when I put his cage outside in the sun, which was the most he's moved since it happened, but the poor guy is hardcore depressed. Just as bad, he's angry at me. He doesn't trust me right now and seems genuinely hurt that I let this happen to him. I'm sorry to tangent, I just feel so guilty for letting my happy, animated buddy become depressed and ashamed. I don't know how to fix this.

 

[FaeryBee]

Ariel,

There is nothing you can do to change the fact that Kuzco's wings have been now clipped. :hug:

Kuzco doesn't know the wing clipping was done for his safety -- he only knows it wasn't fun and that now he can't fly. Spend as much time with him as you can, talking to him and reassuring him of how much you love him. Play with him with his toys and try to stimulate his interest in other things so he doesn't just sit and think about what he can't do right now. Remember, he picks up on your stress and anxiety so try to be as calm and reassuring with him as possible.

I've had to clip Peachy's wings a couple of times when I was taking him places. He usually would pout for a couple of days before deciding he'd punished me enough.

It's good that Kuzco will be molting soon so he won't have to suffer the indignity for long.

Try not to beat yourself up for having Kuzco's best interests at heart. :hug:

 

[Brienne]

Only an amateur here, but time will heal...he may be picking up on your worry/anxiety about him not flying, as well...just be 'matter of fact' with him and he will settle...sorry the little guy is feeling like this, as Depression in an animal or human is very debilitating at times. ...sorry Deborah, didn't see your post, 'til I had posted

 

[Jonah]

He will be fine Ariel. Parrot's are very smart, and traumatic experiences take them a little while to get over...

 

[*Echo]

It's been five days and he's still sulking. He's spending most of his time in his cage and will come out to see me once or twice a day for about a minute before climbing back into his cage. I think it's mostly a confidence issue at this point. How can I help him feel more confident? He gets really scared when he tries to fly and ends up on the floor. He's bathing a lot more than usual too, but I felt him yesterday and there's some pin feathers under his skin, so I think he's getting ready to moult, maybe that's contributing to his behaviour? It would certainly explain why he's spending most of the day sleeping or preening.