Unexpected goodbye.

[Vilatus]

Hi guys.

I lost my Abigail this morning. She was only about 8 months old.

My mom woke me up early this morning and told me Abby was at the bottom of the cage, and she didn't think that was normal. Abby has been acting funny the past couple days and she was supposed to go to the vet today, so naturally I got up immediately. As soon as I saw her I knew. I took her out and within 20 minutes she was gone. She died as I pet her.

I'm in shock, and I'm absolutely heartbroken. This bird has been my sunshine since I got her. I have depression and anxiety, and after a bad day I could always sit down with her and cuddle. My other birds are great as well, but we don't have the same connection I did with Abby. She always wanted to be held and pet, always wanted to be social. She would march up onto your chest and rub her head against you until she got the petting she wanted.

I don't know what to do with myself. I feel like a terrible bird mom, this is the second cockatiel I've lost in just over a year. Abby was acting funny friday and saturday and I didn't think much of it, so I only decided yesterday to take her to the vet. It was sunday so obviously they were closed; I was going to go at 9 AM this morning, without an appointment even. I found her at 8 AM, and she was gone by 8:21.

I'm going to post another topic in the health forum to see if anybody can help me figure out what happened. I have absolutely no clue. All I know is my baby bird is gone when she should have had many, many years more.

I've put some pictures of Abby in so you can see her.

 

[itzjbean]

I am so so sorry your loss. My female recently passed away also and I was devastated. There will be no way of knowing what made her pass away for sure unless you do a necropsy with your vet. It's like a bird autopsy and they will be able to test all her organs to see what happened. I did this with my female and it gave me the answers and closure I needed. (she passed of liver and kidney failure, something she was likely born with)

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

[SilverSage]

I’m so deeply sorry for your loss.

If you can, take her body in for a necropsy. It might seem unthinkable but it may save the life of your other birds.


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[itzjbean]

I’m so deeply sorry for your loss.

If you can, take her body in for a necropsy. It might seem unthinkable but it may save the life of your other birds.


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This was absolutely a worry for me after my female passed, if it is something infectious it could spread to your flock.

 

[Vilatus]

I’m so deeply sorry for your loss.

If you can, take her body in for a necropsy. It might seem unthinkable but it may save the life of your other birds.


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This was absolutely a worry for me after my female passed, if it is something infectious it could spread to your flock.

I tried. It was my immediate reaction. My vet does not do them. My birds are going in tonight for a wellness check though.

 

[Scott]

My deepest condolences for your loss of beautiful Abigail. The hurt is always deepest when we form a close and early bond. I hope her memories will provide some comfort.

If your vet does not perform necropsies, can they provide a referral? It may spare you unnecessary angst and worry.

 

[Vilatus]

My deepest condolences for your loss of beautiful Abigail. The hurt is always deepest when we form a close and early bond. I hope her memories will provide some comfort.

If your vet does not perform necropsies, can they provide a referral? It may spare you unnecessary angst and worry.

Thank you so much.

I have no idea... I'm trying to get a hold of a rescue about an hour away from me to see if they can help. Unfortunately there aren't many exotic vets near me.

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[Jen5200]

I’m so sorry for your loss of Abby, she was a beautiful cuddler.

 

[itzjbean]

Where are you located in Michigan? I found these vets in your state....

Frankenmuth-Birch Run Veterinary Hospital
Warren Woods Veterinary Hospital
(these two work on birds I see in the reviews) ....

More here...

 

[Inger]

I'm so very, very sorry.

 

[Flboy]

I am so very sorry for your loss!

 

[reeb]

I am heartbroken for you.

Firstly, please don't blame yourself. You loved her immensely and gave her a wonderful life. Sometimes there are things that are completely out of our control as parronts. I recently lost Sunshine, one of my budgies, due to an aggressive tumour that grew exponentially within days, probably even hours. As mentioned, the only way to know is to get a necropsy done.

Secondly, I completely understand how your baby helped with your depression and anxiety. I also suffer from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, and honestly my birds are like a life-line. If you ever need support during this challenging time, please reach out to me. I truly do understand.

Right now you need as many people uplifting you and helping you through this as you can get. Remember that we, as a community, are always here to support you.

Sending you love from our flock:smile015:

 

[GaleriaGila]

I agree with all the sympathy and empathy and good advice above.
You sound like a wonderful, loving parront, and I feel sure you'll keep spreading that good stuff.
Thank you for sharing with us, and as the old saying goes... I hope that "A burden shared is a burden lightened".

 

[WilliamKenyon]

I'm so sorry to hear this. You were a great parront in her time and i'm sure she enjoyed all facets of life. Condolences to you.

 

[wrench13]

We are so very sorry to read about Abigail's passing. SHe knew she was loved right to the end. I made a donation to the Cornell Universaty Vet school in her name, directing it to be used exclusively for parrot related programs and studies.

My Maxie went like that no warning, just gone. It still hurts but he was a very well loved little boy. And he knew it.

 

[Terry57]

I am so sorry for your loss of beautiful Abby. I am so glad you were able to be with her at the end, I know that made a difference for her.
You're in my thoughts & prayers.

 

[reeb]

We are so very sorry to read about Abigail's passing. SHe knew she was loved right to the end. I made a donation to the Cornell Universaty Vet school in her name, directing it to be used exclusively for parrot related programs and studies.



My Maxie went like that no warning, just gone. It still hurts but he was a very well loved little boy. And he knew it.

That’s so wonderful of you!

 

[Vilatus]

Where are you located in Michigan? I found these vets in your state....

Frankenmuth-Birch Run Veterinary Hospital
Warren Woods Veterinary Hospital
(these two work on birds I see in the reviews) ....

More here...

I'm located near Detroit. The closest vet is the one I took her too, others are at least an hour away as far as I can tell...

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[Vilatus]

I am heartbroken for you.

Firstly, please don't blame yourself. You loved her immensely and gave her a wonderful life. Sometimes there are things that are completely out of our control as parronts. I recently lost Sunshine, one of my budgies, due to an aggressive tumour that grew exponentially within days, probably even hours. As mentioned, the only way to know is to get a necropsy done.

Secondly, I completely understand how your baby helped with your depression and anxiety. I also suffer from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, and honestly my birds are like a life-line. If you ever need support during this challenging time, please reach out to me. I truly do understand.

Right now you need as many people uplifting you and helping you through this as you can get. Remember that we, as a community, are always here to support you.

Sending you love from our flock:smile015:

Thank you. This makes me feel a lot better. For the moment she's in our fridge in a box, but I'm going to discuss with my family what their opinion is on all of this. Abby was very much a family bird at this point, she loved everyone. So if we can't find a vet to perform a necropsy we'll bury her. For now my other birds are being monitored extremely closely by all of us.

They're lovely. Especially when they're laid back as Abby was. It's amazing to come home after a bad mental health day and sit with your little soft as can be friend. I truly appreciate it, but I won't bother you. I'll be making an appointment with my therapist actually. But it means a lot to hear all this from someone going through similar things.

I know, and I love this community. This is the best forum I ever accidentally stumbled on. Everyone is here for each other.

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[Vilatus]

We are so very sorry to read about Abigail's passing. SHe knew she was loved right to the end. I made a donation to the Cornell Universaty Vet school in her name, directing it to be used exclusively for parrot related programs and studies.

My Maxie went like that no warning, just gone. It still hurts but he was a very well loved little boy. And he knew it.

Thank you so much, that's very generous of you! Abby would be thrilled.

Its painful for them to go so suddenly, but thankfully it's the least amount of suffering for them. Abby knew she was loved as well, and that's all I can be happy about right now.

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