vet question for parrot guardians

[BorderKelpie]

Just wanted an opinion on something that happened last year. My regular bird vet was out of town when my cockatiel, Brock began acting 'off.' Knowing how fast a bird can crash, I requested the name of another. When I went to this other vet (whom I've heard nice things about), I saw something that bothered me. I want to see if I am over-reacting.
The place was very clean and appeared organized, the staff was friendly, etc. No complaints there. I sort of felt the vet was talking down to me, but I chalked it up to him thinking this was my only bird and I had no clue how to feed/manage him. Brock is my 5th generation cockatiel. I bred his great, great whatever grandparents. I have some of his babies producing his grandchildren now. His great-grandfather was 21 years old when he died). I have a clue, I think lol
Anyway, he proceded to grab a metal speculum off the wall, pry Brock's beak open with it, than, hung it back up on the wall!! He never washed or disinfected it. With some of the diseases out there that can affect birds and people, shouldn't a little more care be placed on cleanliness?
I won't go back to that vet nor can I feel comfortable recommeding him to anyone else.
Am I over-reacting?
Thanks
(BTW, Brock is fine - 10 days of propholactic antibiotics and he is back to singing, eating, breeding etc)

 

[coffeelady3]

I worked in a vet hospital for 3 years, and in my experience, the vet never sanitizes anything! After the patient leaves the room, one of the staff goes in, sprays and wipes everything down getting the room ready for the next patient. I don't know that I would be too put off about it.

 

[purpletree23]

You are not over reacting. I've had birds (pets) for 15 years and I've never seen anything like that. My vet always takes the speculum off of a towel that has other instruments on it and after use drops it into a solution that (I'm pretty sure....is antibacterial antiviral no one yell at me) cleans them. She also drops in any clippers or toenail files and when she needs to wrap my bird in a towel to examine him always opens the drawer to get a new towel.

Good catch. Most people wouldn't have caught that.

 

[BorderKelpie]

Quote:
coffeelady3, I understand that the techs do the unrewarding stuff like cleaning up, etc. But, by placing it back on the wall, the tech won't realize it's been used (there was no tech in the room with us). If he had left it lying on the counter, I would never have noticed. Leaving it out would show me (as a tech myself before working here in a 'human' hospital) that it needs to be dealt with. Techs are not mind readers, no matter how much the dr wants to think we are. (love your name, BTW - addicted to coffee myself lol)


Good catch. Most people wouldn't have caught that.
Thank you, purpletree23

 

[onthespot]

Did you call him on it? You should have. One time I was having surgery on my thumb and the nurses were all getting ready and I was woozy but not under and one of them said something funny and the other one laughed like with the letter P, spraying a fine mist of saliva all over my surgical field. I said "Hey! Don't be spitting all overy my sterile field!!!" Change this stuff!" and they did and the doctor chewed them out. My thumb healed fine. I would hate to think of some nurse's spit all over my sterile drapes!!!! PEOPLE!!! Sometimes they just don't think! Don't be too shy about doing their thinking for them and letting them know about it if they drop the ball.

 

[BorderKelpie]

onthespot, looking back, I wished I had called him on it. Maybe I could have prevented someone from going thru some heartache over some as stupid as laziness/carelessness. No one should have to worry about their safety or the safety of their loved ones (pets included) when we trust the medical personel with our very lives.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I would have definitely called him on it. As someone who has 26 parrots, I would be absolutely appalled if I saw that kind of behavior from a vet I went to. I have had parrots for almost 30 years and if I see something hinky, I call them on it.

But then again, I'm no shrinking violet. LOL

Laurie

 

[BorderKelpie]

Yeah, I feel really badly about not saying something. I have gained more confidence in myself since that time and am learning to share my thoughts and concerns with others.