Rocky my sick cockatiel

[Free as a bird]

One of my tiels, Rocky, is very sick.
I first saw signs of illness on the 1st, Rocky was regurgitating food for about 10 minutes.

On the 2nd I had a day off work and was able to monitor Rocky and she (unidentified sex atm) seemed fine.

Yesterday the 3rd, I came home from work and she was really sick, eating heaps, Lack of energy or strength or balance. Her little feet don't have the usual strong grip. She slipped off my shoulder and was unable to fly back up which shouldn't be a problem for her. In the big cage outside she would rather stay on the floor of the cage cos her balance to stay on a perch isnt good. She'd rather be resting in the cage than be with me or the other tiel Shifty. Uncharacteristic. She has wet stools, is vomiting, she is under weight from 90g to 75g, she's got small eyes, all fluffed up, wanting to always sleep. These are the signs of a very sick bird.

I separated the birds and put Rocky inside. Today the 4th after work I saw she was still in bad shape so I tried to find a vet at 4pm. Call after call no vet would see a bird, they would all refer me to the same avian vet near the city.

Eventually I found a vet that would see her. He explained that he wasn't an avian vet but would have a look. Not being 100% sure of a diagnosis he gave Rocky some antibiotics in case it is some kind of infection. His instructions are as follows; if Rocky is better tomorrow then we give more anti biotics. If Rocky is the same or worse then I am to see the avian specialist in town.

Then came time to pay the vet. I was braced to be stung. Last time I went to another vet they looked at my bird for 10 minutes, said it was fine and charged me 100 bucks. This vet spent 20 minutes, had good meaningful conversations and administered antibiotics so I was well surprised when they charged me only $45. That's much more reasonable. I would of gone there on the 3rd if I knew that.

I feel like ive done what i can do, its in Gods hands. Its off to bed soon for me now, get up before dawn when the birds are still asleep and assess Rockys condition when I return from work.

Rocky is in really bad shape. I've seen budgies and tiels die from this state so I'm praying that Rocky gets through this one way or another.

 

[foxgloveparrot]

Rocky is so pretty... I'm sorry you're going through this. Best of luck and hopefully she recovers soon!

 

[Jcas]

Oh no! I’m so sorry you and Rocky are going through this. I hate to see a bird sick . Prayers for Rocky’s recovery .

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Oh no! I’m so sorry you and Rocky are going through this. I hate to see a bird sick . Prayers for Rocky’s recovery .

I hope Rocky recovers! I know how helpless you feel being unable to quickly get her the avian vet care she needs. I had a very sick budgie a couple months ago and couldn't find an avian vet to see him right away and he died. He may have died anyway but it was so frustrating. Let's just hope Rocky pulls through! My budgie Rocky is praying for your Rocky!

 

[LaManuka]

@Free as a bird, I'm so sorry to hear this news about Rocky. Hardly a worse feeling exists in the world than worrying about a sick birdy, and they can't tell us what's wrong. Sending prayers for Rocky, I'm so sorry you're both going through this and I hope he recovers!!

 

[4 way borbs]

Praying for you!

 

[TenthDoctor34]

aww hope the little one makes it, must be very stressful not being able to get her to avian vet quickly.

 

[Greenhouseparrots]

I hope Rocky makes it, you're doing all of the right things for her

 

[Free as a bird]

Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement.
Unfortunately Rocky died
I'll post the details of what happened once I've gathered my thoughts and feelings

 

[foxgloveparrot]

Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement.
Unfortunately Rocky died
I'll post the details of what happened once I've gathered my thoughts and feelings

I'm so sorry for your loss... you did everything you could.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry you lost Rocky. My heart cries for you. Take deep breaths- you will be okay, I promise, it will just take time.
Bye, bye, Baby Bird, fly high.

 

[LaManuka]

Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement.
Unfortunately Rocky died
I'll post the details of what happened once I've gathered my thoughts and feelings

I'm so sorry for your loss, @Free as a bird. No matter how long their time may be with us, it's never long enough. Godspeed to the Rainbow Bridge, sweet Rocky, until we all meet again

 

[Free as a bird]

I agreed to them euthenising her...
WWHHYYYY DID I DO THAT...

Now I deepfully regret it.

They found her to have heavy metal poisoning and gastric yeast. Their prognosis was bad and treatments were a fortune. I would of paid if money wasn't an option but unfortunately it is and the odds of survival were still slim.

But it's the euthenisa decision that's killing me... They pushed me into it. The moment I said I wanted nature to run its course they should have respected my wishes and Rocky would of died in her sleep, what better way to die. Instead they push their moral arguments onto me at a time when I'm sad and not in the mood to debate. Stupid me agreed against my own morals and i feel horrible about it now...

They want to prevent suffering and I understand that but at what cost, taking a life. I believe that's not for us to decide. I believe that's Gods/natures call, which ever way you look at it.

Euthanasia is illegal for humans, it has strong moral arguments and i believe they apply to our pets too. Why didn't I just say that and stand up for my morals, why didn't I tell them what I believe...

Now I'm disappointed I'm myself...
Bitterly disappointed

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Praying fo

I agreed to them euthenising her...
WWHHYYYY DID I DO THAT...

Now I deepfully regret it.

They found her to have heavy metal poisoning and gastric yeast. Their prognosis was bad and treatments were a fortune. I would of paid if money wasn't an option but unfortunately it is and the odds of survival were still slim.

But it's the euthenisa decision that's killing me... They pushed me into it. The moment I said I wanted nature to run its course they should have respected my wishes and Rocky would of died in her sleep, what better way to die. Instead they push their moral arguments onto me at a time when I'm sad and not in the mood to debate. Stupid me agreed against my own morals and i feel horrible about it now...

They want to prevent suffering and I understand that but at what cost, taking a life. I believe that's not for us to decide. I believe that's Gods/natures call, which ever way you look at it.

Euthanasia is illegal for humans, it has strong moral arguments and i believe they apply to our pets too. Why didn't I just say that and stand up for my morals, why didn't I tell them what I believe...

Now I'm disappointed I'm myself...
Bitterly disappointed

Please don't beat yourself up! Rocky was very sick and suffering. Nausea is a miserable feeling as we all know and Rocky had no escape from unrelenting nausea. You did her a favor by agreeing to euthanasia. Rocky DID die in her sleep as you wanted her to- you spared her from days more suffering.

 

[Jcas]

I am so very, very sorry you lost your precious Rocky. Feeling regret for making the decision to euthanize a loved pet is one I have felt myself many times, but once I have a chance to gain some emotional distance from the loss, I always recognize that I did make the right decision, and I hope you will be able to as well. It sounds like Rocky was truly suffering and would have passed one way or the other. While I understand the desire to “ let nature take its course” I have also seen nature take a very long and tortuous time to complete its task. You made the right decision to release Rocky’s soul from her sick body. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your other Tiel. . Fly free sweet Rocky.

 

[Keet_Krazy]

I'm sorry you lost your friend, I lost one of mine recently so I understand your pain.

Please understand a vet (or at least any good vet) would never suggest euthanasia if it wasn't the right choice. The wellbeing and welfare of your pet is their priority. Letting her go peacefully saved her from pain and a huge amount of stress.
Birds are still very wild animals they still have their natural instincts. Parrots are prey animals they know when they're sick they're in danger, that's why they hide their illnesses.

I hope you'll find peace knowing you took the best care of her that you could. Fly High Rocky

 

[TenthDoctor34]

Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement.
Unfortunately Rocky died
I'll post the details of what happened once I've gathered my thoughts and feelings

I am sorry you lost her it's always horrible to loose a pet.

 

[4 way borbs]

i am so sorry for you. i pray that you'll be alright

 

[DonnaBudgie]

i am so sorry for you. i pray that you'll be alright

How are you holding up? I hope our thoughts and prayers have given you some comfort. Time will help but Rocky will never be forgotten.

How is Shifty holding up? He probably needs lots of extra love and attention. Do you have plans to get him a new companion?

 

[Free as a bird]

I want to thank everyone for their warm words, it is much appreciated.

Shifty and I are doing ok. Im spending all weekend with him. It's too soon to consider getting another cockatiel, we're still in mourning, if I eventually do it would be to keep Shifty company while I'm at work.

The avian vet, apart from me being unhappy at them pressuring me into euthanasia they were excellent. The place does birds and exotic pets and they were far more detailed in everything they did. Yes it was expensive but all the costs were laid out and reasonable, they were honest, correct with their diagnosis, my vet consulted with the senior vet which I thought was good, he spent a good 30-40 with us and was very in depth, documenting everything I said and he saw on computer.
There are only 3 avian vets in my town, it's worth knowing where they are.

I have to also assess the illnesses and see if I am culpable of them. The vet gave me a print out on the details of these diseases.
Avian gastric yeast. This is passed down from the parent. Rocky was always a bit sick with this. She was always a bit lethargic, less energetic than Shifty is. That's why I said she was "well behaved" I suspect because of this.
Heavy metal poisoning. Unfortunately I think I contributed to this. I am in the metal working industry and fine metal filings get on my work cloths. I am assessing how to better keep my bird away from my work cloths and need to blow down my work cloths more thoroughly after work

At the vet there was an umbrella cockatoo which I had the privilege of handling. It was so friendly. Iv never owned a big bird before only budgies and tiels so that was cool.