Ringo bit my nose - I gave him the cold shoulder

[marie83]

Definitely definitely on all counts, he is stressed, not 100% trusting in me atm, we dont even really know if he is better, for all I know he still has a bit of pain and isn't showing it. I have a small scab but our relationship is fine, like I say it was totally my fault and I usually know to change tacts, even a few seconds leaving him alone and his attitude usually calms and he is fine if I try again but I didn't back off for those few seconds on this occassion.

I can totally see why there is more damage to the human-parrot relationship after a bite to the face over a bite on the hand/arm which is why I'm against shouldering for most people.

[Andromeda]

so in any case, I think Bubba's biting is a temporary aberration caused by the stress of being medicated. so i think the good news is that once the stressor is gone, he shouldn't bite anymore like that.

Thanks for the response. You're probably right that he was stressed although I am the one who's been chasing him around with a syringe and restraining him so I'm surprised he didn't bite me, poor bird. Hopefully when he is well (I'm not sure that he is) he won't deliver anymore vicious, unpredictable bites. He was a biter with my husband when we adopted him years ago but he has not been that way for quite a while now.

I know for a fact the medicine was upsetting his stomach. The vet said it could cause stomach upset and nausea/vomiting and over the past week while he was on the antibiotic I caught him dry heaving. He didn't actually vomit but his body went through the same motions he does when he gets carsick (which looks different than when he is regurgitating due to hormones). It only happened a couple of times but it made me wonder if the medicine was just making him feel bad in general because for all I know he constantly had an upset stomach. That would make any bird want to bite! His appetite and weight haven't changed, though, and he hasn't had any "dry heaves" in days so that's good.

[friend2parrots]

Definitely definitely on all counts, he is stressed, not 100% trusting in me atm, we dont even really know if he is better, for all I know he still has a bit of pain and isn't showing it. I have a small scab but our relationship is fine, like I say it was totally my fault and I usually know to change tacts, even a few seconds leaving him alone and his attitude usually calms and he is fine if I try again but I didn't back off for those few seconds on this occassion.

I can totally see why there is more damage to the human-parrot relationship after a bite to the face over a bite on the hand/arm which is why I'm against shouldering for most people.

poor Ollie. I hope he's not masking any pain but he is doing awfully well with fetch (saw in your other thread)

yeah, I agree that a facial bite can be more upsetting than a bite elsewhere. even though this was my first facial bite ever from Ringo, it hasn't damaged our relationship in any way. I know he has issues, and can't help his biting. I just try to stay focused on the positive and think of how much he has improved since last year, and look forward to other things I can do to help him improve more.

I know for a fact the medicine was upsetting his stomach. The vet said it could cause stomach upset and nausea/vomiting and over the past week while he was on the antibiotic I caught him dry heaving. He didn't actually vomit but his body went through the same motions he does when he gets carsick (which looks different than when he is regurgitating due to hormones). It only happened a couple of times but it made me wonder if the medicine was just making him feel bad in general because for all I know he constantly had an upset stomach. That would make any bird want to bite! His appetite and weight haven't changed, though, and he hasn't had any "dry heaves" in days so that's good.

glad to hear that Bubbas not dry heaving anymore, and that his appetite and weight are good. keep us posted on his progress.