How much is too much?

[Catlady53]

I’m asking for anyone out there to give me hope. My WFA is 47 years old and has had some pretty serious health concerns lately and I’m so afraid we can’t fix them anymore. Pretty Bird was seen by his vet for a respiratory issue a few months back and we were able to “cure” this by twice daily nebulization with saline and antibiotics. He had labs at that time which came back extremely high uric acids and high triglycerides. He was then given daily sub q fluids for two weeks, put on amino acids to help with his heart issue for the rest of his life, and still keep up the nebulization with just plain sterile saline since he really seemed to like it and it helped him tremendously. His uric acid came down to 8 and he seemed to be doing okay. This past few weeks i Discovered he had a prolapse so I took him to vet and after lab work done again it showed he had high uric acid again at 18. His vet suggested we do barium studies as he was having a hard time maintaining weight(160 grams). vet was worried as he regurgitated some barium meaning things weren’t going through GI tract normally. Barium study came back showing something in tract that food was having a hard time passing through. Not sure if this something is a mass or foreign object. studies also showed enlarged heart. Doctor is worried about treatment for both heart and kidney issues as these treatments work against each other. This is where his vet said the euthanasia word. I’ve been crying ever since. In your experience, is there anything else I can do to keep my little green man going strong. He has days where he eats very well and then he has days where you can tell he’s not feeling well. He still talks and squawks and mimics his surroundings but he does tire easily. Please help me keep my hope alive. He is going to vet today to start three times weekly sub q fluids and vet is putting him on allopurinol. Please tell me I’m not crazy trying whatever it takes to help him.

 

[SailBoat]

An Amazon (Parrots in General) are members of our family and having deeply woven affection for our family members is normal. For us not to try whatever it takes would in my mind be crazy. The goal is; providing your family member with a comfortable /loved life. As long as your dear guy is not suffering as a result of the treatment(s) continuing to provide support is appropriate.

Even with all the medical support, at some point, his body will not be able to continue and he will pass to await you on the other side of Rainbow Bridge. In the meantime love your dear family member with all you heart as he knows you love him.

 

[Catlady53]

An Amazon (Parrots in General) are members of our family and having deeply woven affection for our family members is normal. For us not to try whatever it takes would in my mind be crazy. The goal is; providing your family member with a comfortable /loved life. As long as your dear guy is not suffering as a result of the treatment(s) continuing to provide support is appropriate.

Even with all the medical support, at some point, his body will not be able to continue and he will pass to await you on the other side of Rainbow Bridge. In the meantime love your dear family member with all you heart as he knows you love him.

 

[Catlady53]

I love him so so much!

 

[wrench13]

Hi ! Your love for him is very apparent. Knowing full well what Avian Vet care costs, that alone speaks volumes. None of here on the FORUM are vets or qualified to give medical advice, especially in an advanced case like this one. But we can offer our support and good thoughts. I have never had a parrot that was as old or with such advanced medical issues ( but I have lost a dear one, suddenly w/no warnng) But if Salty had similar issues to Pretty Bird, man, I would mortgage the house to give him the best medical care possible.

'Boats said it best (thanks bud), "The goal is; providing your family member with a comfortable /loved life. As long as your dear guy is not suffering as a result of the treatment(s) continuing to provide support is appropriate.".

I might only ask if he has gotten a second opinion from an equally competent Avian Vet ( NO dog or cat vets!!).

 

[HeatherG]

My Quaker had a medically tough life and was getting very old. While she still enjoyed life i was happy to do whatever I could to keep her as well as possible.

She just kind of drifted away and did not wake up one morning. I was terribly sad but I’m sure it WAS time for her. She didn’t have as many good happy moments any more.

But I still miss her every day.

Make the wisest and kindest decisions you can for your old grandpa bird. That’s the best you can do. Give him love while he is here.

 

[Icca]

My wonderful hubby tells me when we reach this point. " love them while they are here they don't last that long"
you will know when it's time.

 

[Terry57]

I'm so sorry for what you and Pretty Bird are going through.
I also believe that you will know when the time comes. For me, it's when the quality of life isn't there anymore. It sounds like your guy is still fighting, and still enjoying his life; as long as he is I would do everything I could to help him, if he were mine.
Sending prayers of hope to you, and ones of healing to Pretty Bird.

 

[Catlady53]

I am writing this with a heavy heart and crying eyes, my Pretty Bird passed very early this morning after a pretty lengthy illness, many vet visits and lots of medicine. He seemed to pass peacefully cuddled on me under my chin where he crawled. After all the vet visits this past year of course this last emergency would be on a weekend when no avian vet was available. I’m trying to come to grips with this by thinking this was Gods way of calling him home and letting me cuddle and hold him while reminding him how loved he is.My brain seems to know he is much better off as he was totally blind , could no longer fly, and was having so much trouble retaining weight on top of having continual sinus problems. He was such a fighter and happily talking nonstop until this last problem. Please pray that my heart will one day soon sync with my brain as I have another WFA that needs my attention now. Fly free little man and always know how special you are in the 45 years I was your mamma.

 

[onamom]

View attachment 52016I am writing this with a heavy heart and crying eyes, my Pretty Bird passed very early this morning after a pretty lengthy illness, many vet visits and lots of medicine. He seemed to pass peacefully cuddled on me under my chin where he crawled. After all the vet visits this past year of course this last emergency would be on a weekend when no avian vet was available. I’m trying to come to grips with this by thinking this was Gods way of calling him home and letting me cuddle and hold him while reminding him how loved he is.My brain seems to know he is much better off as he was totally blind , could no longer fly, and was having so much trouble retaining weight on top of having continual sinus problems. He was such a fighter and happily talking nonstop until this last problem. Please pray that my heart will one day soon sync with my brain as I have another WFA that needs my attention now. Fly free little man and always know how special you are in the 45 years I was your mamma.

I am so sorry for your loss Thinking of you.

 

[LaManuka]

View attachment 52016I am writing this with a heavy heart and crying eyes, my Pretty Bird passed very early this morning after a pretty lengthy illness, many vet visits and lots of medicine. He seemed to pass peacefully cuddled on me under my chin where he crawled. After all the vet visits this past year of course this last emergency would be on a weekend when no avian vet was available. I’m trying to come to grips with this by thinking this was Gods way of calling him home and letting me cuddle and hold him while reminding him how loved he is.My brain seems to know he is much better off as he was totally blind , could no longer fly, and was having so much trouble retaining weight on top of having continual sinus problems. He was such a fighter and happily talking nonstop until this last problem. Please pray that my heart will one day soon sync with my brain as I have another WFA that needs my attention now. Fly free little man and always know how special you are in the 45 years I was your mamma.

Oh @Catlady53, please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of Pretty Bird. I cannot even begin to fathom just how devastated you must be having lost him after 47 years and I am sending every prayer and good wish for comfort for you. How fortunate Pretty Bird was to have known your love for so very long and to have passed in your embrace - as awfully hard as that is for us I do believe it is so much better that way. You will meet him again at the Bridge, as we all will with our beloved ones some day

 

[SailBoat]

Your dear loving Pretty Bird knew your love and was happy /wanted to be with you as he slipped onward. In my heart I know that they form a deep connected love for us and before they move on they want to be with us, providing and receiving comfort.

A huge, warm Amazon Feather hug dear friend, know that our prayers are with you and your Pretty Bird!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I am so sorry for your loss Thinking of you.

Losing our feathered babies hurts so much! I feel your pain as do all of your PF friends.

 

[Greenhouseparrots]

I'm sorry you lost him, it sounds like he had a wonderful life with you and it's a shame they don't live longer

 

[wrench13]

My personal condolences on the loss of PrettyBird. If there is a best way to pass on, its in the embrace of people who love you. He had that! I make a twice yearly donation to Cornell Univ. Vet dept in the names of all the parrots who have passed on in the interim. Its directed to be used exclusively for Parrot related studies and programs. PrettyBirds name will be among them.

 

[Catlady53]

My personal condolences on the loss of PrettyBird. If there is a best way to pass on, its in the embrace of people who love you. He had that! I make a twice yearly donation to Cornell Univ. Vet dept in the names of all the parrots who have passed on in the interim. Its directed to be used exclusively for Parrot related studies and programs. PrettyBirds name will be among them.

Thank you so much, I know I did all I could but I still feel like I’m going to wake up from a nightmare. I miss him so much.

 

[Keatz]

I nursed my pet cockatoo when she was dying of blood poisoning and was with her when she died. It was devastating. I know it's a cliche, but the only thing that helps is time. In time, you'll start feeling better, but until then just remind yourself that he got to spend his last moments with you, and he was better off for it. I hope you start feeling better soon.