How could I be so dumb?! :(

[PenClem]

I moved the new budgie's cage to the top of my dresser in my bedroom yesterday evening. He was adjusting well until I heard a crash and a scream. I flew up the stairs to see that I'd left my bedroom door open and my cat had knocked over his small cage (the one he came with) and his disabled foot was injured -- bleeding and being held close to his body. I rushed to clean his foot with warm water and soap, but I could see he was in pain.

I got him in to the first appt with my CAV, and he thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the scratches on his foot. He also prescribed oral antibiotics for approx. one week. We go back at the end of that week to re-check his wounds.

In approx. two weeks, we go back to have his remaining three distal toes amputated. We agreed to do this because he will then have the opportunity to use his toes to help grip his perches rather than not be able to apply any pressure to it at all. Also, his nails won't be a problem any more on that foot as they have been by growing into his foot when not short enough. They were pretty long when I got him two days ago, so the CAV trimmed them while cleaning the wounds today.

I am upset and I feel so awful for making such a stupid mistake like not closing my door! I could have saved him all this pain! The one (and only) saving grace is that I got him in to see the CAV as soon as possible for the injury and the amputation is secondary, but we believe it will improve his quality of life.

I'll keep y'all updated on his progress. I do have a question regarding perches for him:

1. What materials do you recommend for perching for him? Sanded manzanita is one I'd like to try. It varies in lengths and widths and I think it will work well as the main perch for him. Anything else?

 

[Laurasea]

That cactus wood that has holes is good it's ok if it's wide. They make edible perches that ate soft and have divits resemble the catas wood I would try those too. And I would add a shelf perch. Cats can't resist thise fluttery parakeets so be so careful. I know you are but it's so dangerous with a cat in the house... You need to get an extremely large cage for added safety they sell on Amazon and eBay with narrow bars for about 100

 

[itzjbean]

Aw, poor baby!

I have two cats, it's all about taking precautions. Perhaps his cage would do well on a stand of its own, so as not on top of a dresser to be knocked over? Or perhaps a new, big cage in general that's too big for kitty to get to..

He's getting the treatment he needs now and you have obviously learned your lesson.

I recommend getting as many varieties of perches as you can, my two like sleeping on the soft rope perches

 

[PenClem]

This morning, I found he had passed away during the night. I am totally devastated and filled with grief and regret for making such a stupid mistake. I will never be that naïve and just plain dumb again.

Rest in Peace, Dewey.

 

[itzjbean]

Oh no, I am so so sorry

 

[PenClem]

Oh no, I am so so sorry

Thank you.

I want to believe that it was the stress of the injury from the cat, the stress of being heavily handled at the Vet yesterday, and not eating overnight that contributed to his passing. For all I know though, he died of a broken heart because his mate (former owner) was no longer with him. I really don't know and I don't care to speculate further. It doesn't change the fact that he's gone.

I am so sad for losing him. No, I'm flat-out devastated. I have cried all morning, and thank goodness my mother lives with me since I asked her to take care of his remains and remove his cage from my sight. She's just as distraught over his loss as I am.

 

[TiredOldMan]

I am sorry for your loss.

 

[LaManuka]

I’m truly sorry for the loss of your sweet little man. Pretty much all of us have lost (or almost lost!) a little one through accident or misadventure, these are hard lessons to learn and we feel your pain.

 

[EllenD]

Awe, I'm so sorry...It's not your fault, accidents happen, but it's also very important that you learn from this mistake for the sake of your other birds, because when you have birds and then you also have a cat, there are many, many dangerous situations that can occur.

It's likely that he did die from the stress of the cat attack, as birds can actually die from tremendous stress. I don't know if the cat actually got a hold of him, or was able to take a swat at him through the cage bars, but often times with cats they die of internal-injuries that you can't see.

****The other thing that is probably the most-dangerous situation with having a cat and then having other pets as well is the extremely deadly Bacteria that all cats carry in their mouths that will very-quickly kill ANY other pets. I have seen many birds, different species of reptiles such as Bearded Dragons, Geckos, and Iguanas, and different rodents die from even a very small scratch from a cat, because they lick their paws so often, and then the lethal Bacteria is on their feet/claws, and it gets into their bodies through even a tiny little scratch. A lot of cat owners don't know about this lethal Bacteria that all cats possess in their mouths, and don't realize that even a tiny little scratch with a claw or a tiny little nip can kill another animal quite quickly due to this Bacteria. It's one of the major concerns when you own a cat and other pets as well. I've seen this happen with situations where people have a very friendly cat that actually seemingly gets along with another pet. I know of one case where a person on another forum had an adult Bearded Dragon who was "friends" with their cat...Now I don't agree with this at all, as all cats are natural and innate hunters/predators, and you don't know what they are going to do from one minute to the next. But this person used to post photos of their cat actually snuggled-up with their Bearded Dragon, so I don't know...Anyway, their Beardie suddenly became extremely sick, vomiting (which for a Bearded Dragon is quite a traumatic experience), he had stools that were nothing but liquid, and they started sleeping all the time..They took their Beardie to a Certified Herp Vet right away, and the Cultures showed that the Beardie had a systemic infection with this Bacteria that cats possess that is lethal. They kept the Beardie in the hospital, put in a catheter into a bone in his leg so they could give him IV antibiotics right directly into the blood supply in the bone, and the Beardie died the next day from the infection...He had not been attacked by the cat at all, no scratches or bites, nothing...But then the person admitted that the cat would actually "lick" the Beardie, like she was cleaning him or something...The owner had no idea that a cat's saliva is deadly...So that's something that you have to take extremely seriously when you have a cat...

I'm so sorry that you lost Dewey, he was a sweetie. Please don't blame yourself, it was an accident, and it was not your fault...Just take this tragedy as a learning experience for you as far as protecting your Love Birds from your cat. Make sure that your cat cannot get anywhere near them, cannot touch them, and is not "stalking" them, as this will cause them extreme stress too, just as much as them being attacked by the cat will.

 

[Flboy]

I am so sorry for your pain

 

[Sunnyclover]

I'm sorry for your loss. This is another reason I advocate to not have birds and cats in the same house hold. It only takes seconds for a cat to end a birds life or do devistating danage and it only takes one small mistake on your part or worse a visitor to the house or a child.

 

[dhraiden]

You have my sympathies for your loss Clem. It sounds your first response was excellent and could not have been better. Take time to appreciate the ways in which you were kind and nurturing to your companions, and allow yourself to process.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Dewey was a real sweetie.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I think you are brave to share your story. You could have run and hidden in shame, but you stood up after your mistake, that others might be warned and cautioned. We have so many parronts with predators in their houses. I'm very glad you shared, very glad. I wish you comfort and healing. Again, thank you for sharing.

 

[PenClem]

I think you are brave to share your story. You could have run and hidden in shame, but you stood up after your mistake, that others might be warned and cautioned. We have so many parronts with predators in their houses. I'm very glad you shared, very glad. I wish you comfort and healing. Again, thank you for sharing.

Thank you. I want others who find this thread to learn from my mistake. It happened in an instant and it was completely avoidable. For that, I will live with regret and mourn Dewey's loss forever.

I hope those who read this will take heed and be cautious about having predators in the house along with their birds. Sure, accidents happen, but they don't have to if you're simply willing to put into place a plan to protect them.

I expected members of the forum to be hard on me. I did not expect the resounding kindness I have received. This is a wonderful forum and I feel so lucky to have found it and be a part of a great group of folks.