Think parrots 2013

[Eric&Rebecca]

Don't forget that even though the antibiotics were for the gut infection and that's cleared up they probably don't make his gut feel great. Perhaps ask your vet about probiotics or a recovery formula. I know Harrison's do one called Recovery Formula, my vets use it for sick birds who aren't eating much.

[marie83]

Janetafloat, I hope things are better with your cute little sennie now?

Think I'm definitely going tomorrow now after wrestling with my conscience about my college work needing doing, dreading the early start cuz I'm working til late tonight Hopefully will pick up a few bits for my two and learn things from the talks

[janetafloat]

Only one more day of antibiotics, yay! (my poor bitten hands!) and I think Alfie's much better, though as you say, Eric&Rebecca, the antibiotics are prob making him feel not so great and affecting his appetite. The vet prescribed him a pro biotic, to be taken 24 hours after he's finished the antibiotic. I hope that's what's going on because he's definitely too thin at the moment even though I've been throwing food at him, poor little squib.

Have a great time at Think Parrots, Marie83! I decided against it this year, have had a very hectic week, so look forward to hearing about it, the talks do look interesting.

[marie83]

Well I wrote a nice insanely long summary of the day but the forum kindly logged me back out before I hit send so I lost it all. I could attempt to write it all out but cba and too annoyed that I didn't write it out first then copy and paste it over.

So we got there 15 mins before doors open which is a miracle given my fast driving, I had 4 hours sleep and wanted to get there before doors open as my main objective was to attend the lectures. I probably have a speeding ticket in the post lol.
Met a nice couple in the queue who volunteered their seats in the first two lectures (Thank you sooooo much) so we gratefully accepted.
Managed to get seats for the 4th lecture on the doors but they were the only ones left (Thank you a billion times more nice couple in the queue)
Managed to sneak in lecture no.3, ok maybe not so much sneaking involved but we got in.

All the lectures were very good, I did learn quite a bit and mentioned the key points in my first version of this post. I may post them later if people are interested.

During the day I managed to (good points):

Meet with someone from another forum for the first time.
Chat with Rosemary Low and get a personal invitation to the parrot club she runs, of course its held on the day I work though *sob*
Speak to Alan Jones about my birds health problems and conclude the only tests we havent run is a skin biopsy.
Successfully miss all the other avian vets on site to try and get more opinions. Just to be clear vet stalking wasn't my primary objective in attending this show.
Even more successfully avoid a certain rude and arrogant behaviouralist I've had dealings with before, we spotted him but thankfully he didn't spot me.
Attend all four talks
Watch 1 out of 3 of the World of Wings displays.
Purchase an avian lamp, a foraging toy, a happy hut, disinfectant and some harrisons omega 3 sunshine factor.

And the bad points:

Disappointed as there was a lot less educational stuff and chartities in the main hall than last time
Missed all the other avian vets on site to try and get more opinions. Just to be clear vet stalking wasn't my primary objective in attending this show.
was 90% asleep in lecture no. 3 and can now barely remember it.
Was far too rushed, I wanted to spend time browsing toys but ran out of time.
Spent way too much money, the bird stuff was fine as I budgeted to spend x amount on them anyway, the money we spent on food, drinks and fuel was money we couldn't really afford to spend. Must remember to take sandwiches and a flask if there is a next time and perhaps a friend to share fuel costs with, that said next year I shouldn't have to budget so hard.
I bought 2 things I didn't intend to buy- the happy hut and the lamp. The lamp was a really good price though and despite me being relatively sensible I got sucked in. I was considering one anyway and hopefully it will help Harlie who doesn't get to go outside due to her nerves.

[janetafloat]

Well I wrote a nice insanely long summary of the day but the forum kindly logged me back out before I hit send so I lost it all.

Arrrrrrgh! I feel your pain, I've done that sooo many times in various settings.

Sounds like an interesting day, though shame you didn't have more time to shop