Pure Parents

Question:

I’m sorry to hear about your loss – hope your son is doing o.k.  I think I might disagree with the other posters about the wild bird introducing some type of disease. Of course, this is possible, but something that virulent *probably* would have affected the hatchlings before Petey. The problem he was having gripping with his feet could also be a neurological problem. Maybe caused by something pressing on his spine. Did he have any lipomas? They are very common in budgies and ‘tiels, especially as they get older. In addition to having your other birds checked, you might want to have a necropsy done on Petey. You can still elect to have him cremated or buried afterwards. By this time, it’s too late to see anything at the cellular level, but a tumor should still be apparent. Good luck – Hyden – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My son’s very beloved male cockatield died quite suddenly last night. >He was fine and actively wooing his cagemate females at 6 pm last >night, was fine, but somewhat subdued when my son had him out to >give him a shoulder ride and snuggle at 9 pm, but when I went to >cover his cage at 11:30 pm, I found Petey on the floor, nearly >comatose, unable to grip with his feet.  He died while I was trying >to get a hold of the emergency vet.  He died in my son’s arms.  I >am totally mystified as to what could have happened.  All our other >birds (‘tiels, ‘keets and a baby conure) seem fine today, but are >going to the vet for a precautionary check at the first available >appointment.  Petey was an older bird, sold to us 2 years ago as >a "used breeder".  He had a wonderful voice and loved to whistle >the one song he knew.  He had been removed from the cage he shared >with his mate yesterday because he was killing hatchlings.  My >son thinks he died of a broken heart.  He had done all the caring >for the eggs and then the chicks, when he went on a rampage and >killed two of the three chicks.  We also had a small fledgling >wild bird in the house the day before yesterday that a neighbors >cat had caught.  It died fairly soon after my son brought it >inside.  I am worried that it may have introduced some disease. >Any ideas?   >ZoeJohnson

Response:

All the other birds were checked out by the vet and seem okay.  We didn’t get to autopsy Petey because my ex swiped the body (long story). No one has gotten sick in the past 5 days (knock on wood).  My son is very sad.  He wants to get another male now.  What is the best route? Another "used" breeder?  A young hand fed?  A young parent fed?  An older bird from the newspaper?  I’d like to know more of the bird’s history this time to make sure we don’t get a really old bird. Thanks to everyone, ZoeJohnson

Response:

If your going to take in Wild birds you should be extremely carfull to keep them quarentined (spelling?) A 5% Clorox solutions is good for cleaning the cages and utensils, and I also keep a bucket for dipping my hands. They are certainly ridden with mites if not disease. I doubt hit could have passed anything so quick to kill your Teil. The Average Life span of Cockateils is about 15 years under Ideal conditions. Heavey breeding would shorten that usualy. Without knowing more detials it’s hard to say why he died. I would reccomend taking only one bird to the vet if none of them show any symptoms. Then quarantine the bird you take to the vet as their more likely to pick something up there than at home. I have heard of birds having strokes, Heart attacks, Cancer, and Tumers, so without a necropsy you likely never realy know.

Response:

 <Some stuff preened out> > We also had a small fledgling > wild bird in the house the day before yesterday that a neighbors > cat had caught.  It died fairly soon after my son brought it > inside.  I am worried that it may have introduced some disease. > Any ideas?   > ZoeJohnson

Yeah, my first inclination would be that the wild bird intruduced something, probably a cootie, that killed Petey. Get your other birds check right away.

Response:

First of all, so sorry to hear of your loss. Losing a dear friend is never easy to take! There are lots of possibilities as to what could have happened, but a broken heart is *probably* not the cause. You say that Petey came to you two years ago as a used breeder. That could mean that Petey was considerably older than you thought, and he simply died of old age. However, from what you say about Petey’s parenting skills, he could have been a relatively young bird that removed from a breeding program because of his tantrums. Another possibility is, as you mentioned, the introduction of disease from the outside bird. This is a very real danger, and one that gets overlooked quite often! We bird lovers always want to lend a helping hand when a bird needs us: domestic or not! The problem is the cootie thing. I would LOVE to be a hummingbird rehabber, but I cannot because of my parrots. Couldn’t risk it. Most of us probably have bird feeders in our yard, too. It is very important to remember that as you fill the feeders, you are *probably* standing in wild bird poop. Just tracking that into the house can be a health problem for your indoor companions. You are doing the right thing by having your birdies checked out. Tell the *avian* vet everything, and hope for the best! We will all be keeping our fingers crossed! Debbie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My son’s very beloved male cockatield died quite suddenly last night. > He was fine and actively wooing his cagemate females at 6 pm last > night, was fine, but somewhat subdued when my son had him out to > give him a shoulder ride and snuggle at 9 pm, but when I went to > cover his cage at 11:30 pm, I found Petey on the floor, nearly > comatose, unable to grip with his feet.  He died while I was trying > to get a hold of the emergency vet.  He died in my son’s arms.  I > am totally mystified as to what could have happened.  All our other > birds (‘tiels, ‘keets and a baby conure) seem fine today, but are > going to the vet for a precautionary check at the first available > appointment.  Petey was an older bird, sold to us 2 years ago as > a "used breeder".  He had a wonderful voice and loved to whistle > the one song he knew.  He had been removed from the cage he shared > with his mate yesterday because he was killing hatchlings.  My > son thinks he died of a broken heart.  He had done all the caring > for the eggs and then the chicks, when he went on a rampage and > killed two of the three chicks.  We also had a small fledgling > wild bird in the house the day before yesterday that a neighbors > cat had caught.  It died fairly soon after my son brought it > inside.  I am worried that it may have introduced some disease. > Any ideas?   > ZoeJohnson

Response:

My son’s very beloved male cockatield died quite suddenly last night. He was fine and actively wooing his cagemate females at 6 pm last night, was fine, but somewhat subdued when my son had him out to give him a shoulder ride and snuggle at 9 pm, but when I went to cover his cage at 11:30 pm, I found Petey on the floor, nearly comatose, unable to grip with his feet.  He died while I was trying to get a hold of the emergency vet.  He died in my son’s arms.  I am totally mystified as to what could have happened.  All our other birds (‘tiels, ‘keets and a baby conure) seem fine today, but are going to the vet for a precautionary check at the first available appointment.  Petey was an older bird, sold to us 2 years ago as a "used breeder".  He had a wonderful voice and loved to whistle the one song he knew.  He had been removed from the cage he shared with his mate yesterday because he was killing hatchlings.  My son thinks he died of a broken heart.  He had done all the caring for the eggs and then the chicks, when he went on a rampage and killed two of the three chicks.  We also had a small fledgling wild bird in the house the day before yesterday that a neighbors cat had caught.  It died fairly soon after my son brought it inside.  I am worried that it may have introduced some disease. Any ideas?   ZoeJohnson

Response: