fbpx
Skip to main content
  • Pay my bill
  • Need help now?
  • Book Online
  • Donate
Lort Smith logo Lort Smith logo
Lort Smith logo

Home / Our stories / Shelby

Lort Smith does not recommend buying unweaned birds
Share

Exotic Animals

At Lort Smith we treat a range of animals. Any species that is not a dog or cat is classified as ‘exotic’. Our highly skilled vet team include Unusual Pet and Wildlife veterinarians, as well as those with a professional interest in this area.

Learn more

Shelby was just 12 weeks old when Jess welcomed her into her family consisting of a bearded dragon and two dogs. Knowing that the average lifespan of a macaw is 60 years, with the oldest pet macaw reported to have lived to 112, Jess was not deterred.

“It’s why I got a macaw, I wanted a lifelong pet,” shared Jess.

An avid animal enthusiast, with a particular love of birds and reptiles, Jess was seeking an interesting pet that would challenge her. Shelby is allowed to roam/fly freely in their home and also has a walk-in aviary in the lounge room.

Jess first noticed Shelby was not quite herself when, at five months old, she became less chatty, was regurgitating her food, looked underweight and had droopy wings.

After visiting another vet clinic who provided no clear diagnosis, Jess brought Shelby to Lort Smith as she knew we had an accident and emergency department and could see her quickly.

Fortunately, Unusual Pets & Wildlife Veterinarian Dr Tristan was on shift.

“When I took radiographs a surprisingly large tubelike foreign body was visible. I was able to take it out of the stomach using an endoscope.”

“Once we removed it we could see that it was a feeding tube. The carers were not missing any feeding tubes so I suspect the tube had been swallowed while still at the breeders – sitting in the stomach the whole time they have had her,” shared Dr Tristan.

It is very inappropriate for a breeder to sell an unweaned bird. Lort Smith does not recommend buying unweaned birds unless you are very experienced in caring for birds.

Jess was very surprised at what Dr Tristan had found, especially the length of the feeding tube which measured 8cm!

“I’ve been really happy with Dr Tristan and the service we’ve received from Lort Smith. He is really engaging and very informative,” says Jess.

At a recent recheck appointment, Dr Tristan confirmed that Shelby has made a full recovery, is looking much brighter and is now at a healthy weight.

“She was a very sick bird when I last saw her, and would have died had the tube not been found and removed,” explained Dr Tristan.

Jess is delighted that Shelby is back to full health, eating her favourite blueberries and causing a ruckus for her and her partner.

Previous story
Next story
Spencer Ronald
Success Stories
Hiro
Volunteers
Chester
Success Stories
Dr Rod
Tails of Lort Smith
Albie
Success Stories

Stay Updated

To receive our newsletters and hear the latest from Lort Smith.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Lort Smith

To-the-minute updates and announcements.


Lort Smith acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Lort Smith values and celebrates diversity in our community. We are committed to providing animal care services that are inclusive and support equality and accessibility.

Lort Smith Logo
  • Lort Smith Animal Hospital
    North Melbourne
    Emergency Hospital  | Clinic
  • 24 Villiers Street
    North Melbourne VIC 3051
  • +61 3 9328 3021
    info@lortsmith.com
  • ABN 87 004 238 475
  • Lort Smith Campbellfield
    Clinic | Adoption Centre | Dog Park
  • 25-35 Berwick Road
    Campbellfield VIC 3061
  • +61 3 9328 3021
    campbellfield@lortsmith.com
  • 03 9287 6426 (Adoption Centre)
    adoptions@lortsmith.com
  • Donations & Fundraising
    +61 3 9287 6419
  • Bequests
    +61 3 9287 6417
  • Volunteering
    +61 3 9287 6424
  • Media enquiries
    +61 3 7037 2256
  • Lort Smith © 2023
  • |
  • Site map
  • |
  • Privacy Policy
Grindstone Creative Logo

Thank you for your feedback. If you have indicated that you would like a response, we will endeavour to provide one within 48 hours.