My Macaw died

[Pinkbirdy]

When I got home from getting my zon Lexi , I noticed something wrong with my Blue and gold Rocky .When I took him out he threw up a lot of flem ,was puffed up and had a large crop. I looked it up and it sounded like sour crop.It said to do something with baking soda or vinegar . I didn't feel comfortable doing this [Im not a vet] . What if I made it worse ? . I have 3 vets near me . I have this good game plan if something went wrong [or so I thought] . These vets [Ifeel ] are poor. I only say that do to experiencing that. But I need to keep a relationship with them for emergencys. Then If im not liking things .Im off to Cornell [which is great but far]. I called in the morning but the soonest I could get in is 1 the following day. I said even if its a ememrgancy? I felt desperate and that's what they could do. I kept telling him hang in there buddy.We went , by this time he was in bad shape.The vet agreed it was sour crop .Wanted to send me home with the baking soda measurement. I said no I wanted to do something there. Poor Rocky just wanted to stay with me They took him to another room . then came back out to tell me he was failing [he died with me]. the vet said it was too little to late. . This is all my fault this poor guy trusted and depended on me and I let him down. Its gut wrenching thinking what should have been done after the fact.I feel the receptionist should have asked what the emergency was offered to have the vet call me ,know a sick bird doesn't have a lot of time. There should have been some concern. Next time I will go Batshi## on them and show up there!!. I think he got this from feeding his mate Ruby . She layed 4 rounds of unfertle eggs. But he did his job feeding her while she sat on her eggs. The only thing different was she got [out of her mode ]. started eating for herself and fed him[maybe spoiled food in her crop?].There bowls are changed twice a day [no spoiled there].I didn't do a autopsy [I just took him home] . So advice , if your bird doesn't look right. It is a emergency [don't wait till morning] Find a vet with emergency hours [have a game plan]. I am making up a first aid box with everthing I can find. think about it . What would you do if your bird flew in hot water ,was eggbound or was bit . Theres things you can do that will maybe save their life. Next time I might even talk to those vets you pay for online[I was always worried it was a scam] . I thought it would be ok with Rocky he was eating drinking and pooping.We had so much fun with these birds . When I first got them you couldn't handle them . But they both learned to trust me. Its hard ,Rocky talked so much very interactive . I even had a thread on another forum of what "Rocky said today" .his mates a different bird now . Please don't my mistake . I could have done way more

 

[Terry57]

Terri, I am so sorry for your loss
Please do not beat yourself up about it, you did everything you could for him. Rocky was loved and well cared for by you. I think that the what might have beens are the hardest part of a loss to deal with.
He is flying free now.
I am so glad you were there with him at the end.
Sending you hugs, my friend.

 

[strudel]

So sorry for your loss. Please don't focus on "could haves". Hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[MonicaMc]

So sorry you lost Rocky. My condolences. Even though Rocky wasn't with you for long, at least know that you gave him a good home. And who knows, maybe whatever he died from was something he's had all along?

 

[crimson]

I am so sorry to hear this Pink!....oh wow, he was such a good bird.

sometimes things happen and we just never know, please don't feel like it's your fault.

(((hugs)))

 

[Kiwibird]

I'm so sorry for your loss Don't blame yourself either. It's not your fault the vet in your area doesn't have a concept of "emergency". It sounds like you did what you could for Rocky, and he passed knowing he was loved. Treating a parrot without knowing what is wrong with them/having a vets advice can be just as bad as not treating them at all. You did what was best, but it sounds like it was just his time to go. At least Rocky is flying free now!

 

[Birdbrain91]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Don't blame yourself you did everything you could.

Sending Hugs your way!!!

 

[MikeyTN]

I'm sorry for your loss!!!! Sometimes things happen out of your control. The vet should of known better but depending on the situation. It sounds like Rocky was far beyond what anyone could do. Cause even if the vet had done a crop flush, he may still not make it due to how weak he was. At anytime with sour crop, they need to be flushed out immediately. Meds may be required depending on how old the situation was. Baking soda or Alka-seltzer (original formula) to wash the crop with and fed in small amounts. I've done numerous crop flush, it's not a easy task.....

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm so sorry Terri. Like it was already said, please don't beat yourself up. It wasn't your fault. Sometimes it's just too late as soon as we notice. Many of us here know first hand what it feels like to lose a cherished bird, so you have support. Hugs...

 

[MomtoPercy]

I am so sorry to hear this!! From what you wrote, it is clear you did everything in your power. Please don't blame yourself.

((Hugs))

 

[JerseyWendy]

My deepest condolences, Terri.

Please, stop with the what ifs. Please, don't blame yourself.

HUGS to you in this difficult time.

Rest easy Rocky, you were much loved and will never be forgotten.

 

[antoinette]

So sorry for you loss
Please do not blame yourself you did everything you possible could
R.I.P Rocky

 

[labell]

I am so very sorry for your loss! I agree with everything that has been said "what ifs" don't make things any easier, you did what you could. My thoughts are with you!

 

[TessieB]

The guilt is overwhelming isn't it? What a terrible way to lose your beloved pet. As pet owners we all have to deal with these type of situations. Next time you have such an emergency, and you have a good relationship with your avian vet, simply call them and tell them you are on your way with a critically ill bird. Don't take no for an answer-especially during regular business hours.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[LoriP]

I am so very very sorry. I can imagine how devastated we would be if we lost our beloved Snoopy, and my heart hurts for you. Praying that you will get to the point where you can enjoy the memories instead of grieving over the what-could-have-beens.

 

[goalerjones]

I'm sorry you lost Rocky. Sometimes we have to get pushy, have to just show up at the vet and dare say, cause a scene. The receptionist isn't the dr, so she's just trying to keep the planner in order.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

So sorry, and I know the 'what ifs' are what can just drive you crazy. But at least you were with him in the end for comfort and he knew he was loved. What more could the little guy (or any of us) ask? My heart is heavy for you right now.

 

[mtdoramike]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but unfortunately, there may not have been much you could have done other than getting him to the vet. With birds, when they start showing signs of illness, it's almost too late then.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Thanks guys , I wanted to share my experience . Ive seen a lot of "i think somethings wrong with my bird" on here lately . So they see that its so important not to wait . Your right though , he could have been sick for awhile [I don't know]. Such touching stories on here . Labell with her Zon and that guy who tried to save his conure .

 

[Oscar23]

I am so sorry for your loss! I know how you feel. My tiel died 1 1/2 months ago. It seemed that all of a sudden he looked wet and wasn't eating. We were in the middle of an 18 inch snowstorm with extremely cold temperatures so I couldn't take him to the vet. I called. They said to keep him warm but that was all I could do. I tried to get him to drink using and eye dropper but nothing worked. A few hours later he died while I was petting him and talking to him. I was devastated and eaten up by guilt that I didn't do more. I understand now that it was to be but still nags at me at times. Please don't blame yourself. It was his time. He is flying high and happy.