Buddy is gone

[ct92404]

My Buddy Birdie is gone.

I didn't even think I would be able to write this. I've been crying all night.

A stupid vet tech misread the label on the medication and gave him probably about 10 times what he was supposed to have. He was supposed to get 3 units, which was abbreviated as 3U and this idiot filled the syringe with 30, thinking the "U" was a zero. I don't know how he couldn't tell that it was way too much for a little bird like that, and why he didn't ask the doctor about it. The doctor was very apologetic and understanding. But the idiot tech who actually filled the syringe was defensive and never even apologized or had any empathy.

They killed him. They killed my little bird.

I had been taking Buddy to the vet for the past few days to get antibiotic shots because he had a respiratory infection. And he was getting better. I thought I was just going to take him to get a quick shot and he would come home with me. Tonight Buddy is gone. I just can't believe it. I keep remembering all the little things about him...how he loved to play with his toy ball and roll it around the cage or play with it in the bathroom and chase after. He loved to be petted and really liked me to scratch his head and neck. He loved playing chase games with me. And when I read books about birds, he would walk over and look at the book.

I really can't deal with this. I loved this little bird so much.

I'm trying to get through a depression right now, and Buddy was helping me. It helped to have a little animal to take care of, and he had become a great little friend.

I just keep having flashbacks about all the little things he would do. I still feel him perching on my finger, and climbing up on my shoulder and nibbling on my face.

I just feel so horrible right now.

I want to get another bird eventually, but I just miss Buddy so much. The worst thing of it is how he died. He was getting better. And they killed him because of a really stupid mistake.

RIP Buddy. I loved you, Buddy Birdie.

 

[Karigan]

!!!! That is absolutely unacceptable of them! Is there anyone you can report this to? I am outraged that he would be so non nonchalant about it.... Assistant or not, he needs to be reprimanded!

I am so sorry this happened to you. I don't know what we can do, but please let us know if we can do anything.

 

[MikeyTN]

I am so sorry!!!!! I hope your not paying the bill because of the incompetence of the vet tech!!! I wonder if there's some where you can report that to...This is part of the reason why I always question everything twice the vet and vet tech does at my clinic. I trust no one with my babies so I must know what they're doing and re-question again before they proceed. I would listen to their reasoning, IF I don't agree I won't proceed. I've done that several times already and I've proved them wrong on several occasions. Then the owner himself came out to apologize to me and give me free supplies for 6 months for all 3 of my dogs. I don't take mistreating lightly, I am so sorry they treated you like that. IF that had been me, I would be raising hell in their clinic.

I'm sure Buddy know you loved and cared for him very much by taking him to the clinic to make him better. He'll be watching over you always!!!!

 

[Thingamagigs]

Oh my god!!!!

RIP little Buddy bird! I would demand compensation!!!!!!!!!! It wont bring Buddy back, but it will go towards a memorial for him (perhaps cremation or a small custom grave stone) and perhaps you could adopt another little birdy to keep you company in his absence. It wont be replacing little Buddy bird, just to help you cope with such a huge loss.

 

[Remy]

I'm so sorry this happened! How awful! It will be painful for a while, and it's totally normal. I was really sad for a long time after Puck passed away, and I still cry about it sometimes. I wish there was something I could say to help.


If I were in your place, I would file a formal complaint with the business (and with BBB if you are not satisfied with the result), and request that the assistant be fired (I would probably make a scene if they weren't compliant, considering what happened). Also, I would demand a full refund for everything! None of that will bring back your baby though, but if the assistant makes mistakes like that (and doesn't even show remorse), how many other animals has he done this to (or will do it to in the future)?

 

[Remy]

This makes me really sad. I was happy for you when I read that he was starting to get better. It sounds like you're a great bird care giver.

 

[Midori]

omg i really feel for you. got me in tears now too i had a similiar thing happen to my beautiful rotti x lab 7 years ago. they decided to trial a new drug on him for his arthritis, not really knowing the side effects. well sadly we found out the hard way. i cant remember the full details but basically he bled internally to the point that they had to put him out of his misery as there was nothing else they could do. i am so so sorry for your loss and it must make you think twice about going to the vet in future. was this vet tech an avian vet?

 

[Thingamagigs]

In Australia we have Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses/Assistants who are qualified to do very little unless it is under veterinary supervision... so what is a vet tech? I have been assuming it is your word for a veterinary nurse.

 

[ct92404]

I had already been bringing Buddy there for a few days and things were going well, so it was kind of routine now. I would take him in through a side door and they would get someone to do the shot. The first day was Monday (that's the day I first took him to the vet and the doctor diagnosed him with the infection). The doctor himself gave the shot that day and on Tuesday, and Buddy was okay. He was starting to get better. Yesterday, a different lady had given him shot and he was fine then too. He was definitely getting better. Well, today I took there as usual and a tech at the front desk was going to do it. I didn't see him actually fill the syringe, but I saw him look at the medicine. Then another tech came to actually give him the shot. She had me take him to another room. I didn't see how much was in the syringe until she was actually injecting him. By then, it was too late. I told her it looked like it was a lot, and looked like more than last time. She said she was going to check with the doctor to be sure. After a while, she came back and said that the doctor had said that was the right amount. That was a lie. Either she didn't explain clearly what had happened, or he didn't hear it. But if he had seen the amount that she actually injected him with, he would have known that was way too much. By the time I actually looked carefully at the syringe and fully realized how much they had given him, I freaked out.

Buddy immediately looked bad right after the injection. He was raising one of his wings, and kind of putting his head down. His eyes were closing like he was getting sleepy. I tried to pet him and pick him up, and he felt kind of limp. He woke up a little bit and climbed back up on one of his perches. But he still looked bad. Then he started throwing up a lot. I was panicking and went to tell them that he didn't look right. I was starting to cry. The tech that gave him the shot said she would have the doctor look at him. The doctor came after a while (this whole time, buddy is throwing up) and said they would keep him and monitor him. I was totally freaking out and I called my mom with my cell phone, and told her what happened and that I think they overdosed Buddy.

My parents came, and we all talked with the doctor. He said they would keep him warm in an incubator and give him fluids. He said for us to check on him again at 6pm. We came back and asked how he was doing. The idiot vet tech that had filled the syringe LIED and said "oh, he's fine...he was playing with the ball" That made me feel a little better, but the truth is he was just minutes from dying. They said the doctor wanted to talk to us and asked us to go to another room.

We waited in the room, and while I was sitting there I had a really bad feeling but I still had hope that maybe Buddy would make it. The doctor came in, and asked me if wanted to see the bird. We waited for a little while, and the doctor came back and said that "he had just taken his last gasp."

I was beyond shocked. I cried hysterically, and said loud enough for everyone in the building to hear "You killed my bird!" Because it was the truth. I demanded to see him, and the doctor brought him. Buddy was laying pitifully and lifelessly on the bottom of the cage. I still can't describe how I felt. I kept crying and saying "They killed him." My mom was furious and went out to the lobby and told the tech "You killed my son's bird!"

After I managed to regain my breath, I went out to the lobby and looked the tech straight in the eyes and told him "You killed my bird, man." I told him that I'm not a vet and yet I knew that was way too much medicine, and why didn't he double check with the doctor. How could he not realized that it was way too much for a small animal like that. The tech was cold and defensive, saying the "U" looked like a zero, and that he asked the doctor...total bullcrap. And he never once apologized or showed any sympathy.

The doctor said he was very sorry and that a huge mistake was made, and that he wanted to make things right. Well, true it wasn't the doctor's fault directly...but he hires idiots, and so indirectly it is his fault. The techs and nurses are obviously NOT knowledgeable about small animals. How the hell could TWO techs not question such a large amount of medicine for such a small bird?! Neither one of them thought to double check with the doctor??

We're thinking about filing a lawsuit.

It still doesn't bring back Buddy Birdie. He died needlessly. I feel so horrible. He loved me, he trusted me and I feel like I let him down.

 

[Karigan]

No honey, you did everything right. The vet tec is completely to blame. I completely agree that you should file for something... At least force them to retrain the guy or something.

Thingamagigs, Pretty much. They are the assistants who do what they're told and also usually do the administrative stuff.

 

[lene1949]

I'm so sorry... it must be so hard to deal with...

 

[Marley69]

I feel so bad and sad for ur loss i would of punch the tech in his face no hesitation!!! My birds are my babys they mess with them thatz it i get heated lol but yeah i think u should suit them is not fair buddy had to die because of dumb people!! I think they should get u a new bird even if is not gonna be the same i know that for sure but they should give one with a cage and all the supplies!!

 

[Akraya]

I'm beyond words, I'm so sorry for your loss =(

 

[JerseyWendy]

I am truly very very sorry for your loss and heartache. No words can describe how you must feel. HUGS to you!!!

 

[Midori]

yes something really needs to be done about making sure their staff are competent in their job. at least if you do file a letter, complaint etc you will be able to deal with what has happened abit better by releasing your pain and anger. i am really feeling for you right now.

 

[kc_y0]

I have tears in my eyes reading this, how horrible!! I am so sorry for your loss, what a tragic way to go! Buddy knew you loved him and you were trying to take care of him. Definitely do something about this, it is not acceptable and that tech should NOT be working with animals, risking their lives when he is clearly an idiot!! It wont bring Buddy back, but it sure will bring him justice for his life that was taken too soon. Once again I am very sorry.

 

[Birdlover11]

I am on the break to crying, he was getting better then that idiotic , no wait THAT DUMB FOOL killed him, he even lied to you. I might start crying right now, SUE THAT MAN, do not let buddy die in vain, sue the man not the clinic because how did they know that he could kill a bird ? Charge him money and use the forum as a back up, use all the threads about buddy. Do not go back to that clinic again

 

[MaraWentz]

I know how you feel. I filed a lawsuit for my Elvis and the response I got from the vet was nothing but lies. And to add to it he added 600 dollars worth of tests on his liver, kidneys, crop etc without my consent (yes he cut up my baby boy without even telling me) so I'm plenty in debt. I sent in a response but I never heard back and was told they dropped my case. How can they let some one kill your best friend?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

this is terrible Even though it's not directly the vets fault a lawsuit is in order, it will hopefully make other vets more strict about that sort of thing.

 

[Birdlover11]

He did a necropsy without your permission ? I would be mad at them, and I can't believe they just dropped you case