Ashley is my female cockatiel and she is a little over a year old. I was wondering if it is a must, to clip her nails. And I've heard that you should take your cockatiel to the vet. But what would the vet be looking for and how do I know the vet is qualified to check out my cockatiel?
Christy
Christy,
Choosing an avian vet is not too different from choosing a doctor, but probably a little easier. Surely you have a friend or at least know someone else who has birds. Ask around your area; friends, breeders, pet shops, or even the Humane Society can steer you in the right direction. An avian vet can tell a lot about a birds health by visually checking for problems. If anything looks suspicious, the vet will want to run tests that are pertinent to what he suspects.
Not all cockatiels have problems with their nails. If a nail becomes long enough to become a hazard to the bird, it needs to be trimmed by a qualified vet or groomer.