DarkSoldier246
Walking the driveway
These three bird brothers were hatched on July 2nd, 4th, and 6th of 2010. I didn't know them until Mid-January of 2011 when my boss at work came to me and asked me if I wanted to expand my flock. (She is the co-owner of a small bird shop as her other job) they had a clutch of 4 yellow sided conure's and she told me that at around 6 months two of the 4 started to go blind in 1 eye and stayed at the bottom of the cage. She knew I had bird experience and wanted to know if I could adopt them both so they could stay together. I wasn't looking to increase the flock at that point but I couldn't say no to the little guys so I took them in. I took them out every day and after about a week they weren't afraid of me anymore, I was very excited. Well right around a week later I got a call from my boss asking how they were doing, and then gave me some troubling news. One of the remaining 2 brothers had stayed at the bottom of the cage (he used to hang out down there to protect the partially blind 2 while they were there.) However, now his vision seemed to be failing as well. I agreed to add him to the group since the last thing I wanted to do was split them up. And so Mojito joined the club. At this point I knew I needed to take them to the doctor (they were still under quarentine at my house) to see what was going on with these guys and if it was possible to cure it.
The news at the Vet's wasn't promising. He said that it was a congenital defect in the clutch and that most likely they would develop heavy cataracts in both eyes as their age progress but he could not give a definite timeline, however he said if it happened in one eye so early that it might not be too long. Well sure enough about 6 more months, right after the turned 1 year old they all started getting more aggressive and scared of me, where as before they wouldnt mind being taken out and put on the playgym, now they started to lunge at me. Well thats when I noticed the cataract in the wrong eye...then I realized it was because the blindness had finally progressed to both eyes and they could probably only barely see shadows at this point, and definitely didnt recognize me anymore.
I was heartbroken for my little buddies but i knew it was a grim possibility and unfortunately it happened. But I knew I had to be strong for them and after a few weeks of being what I assume is fully blind (both eyes completely glazed with cataracts) they seem to be adjusting just fine.
I can no longer take them out and interact with them but I bought them a nice big cage to spend their days in and gave them plenty of fun toys to occupy their time. And I am happy to report that they go up to the high perches still and play with toys. Every day I walk in and see them just being "regular" birds it makes me so happy. They don't let it bring them down. Even though they lost their vision they didnt lose their spirit. I worried they would just sit scared and shaking in a corner like when I first got them but they have overcome blindness and are making the most out of their lives and thats all I want for them. They have eachother and they will always have me. I will always cherish the times when I was able to play with them, but I know they are still happy to goof around in their big cage with their brothers, and thats good enough for me :]
And if, God forbid, that 4th conure brother has lost his vision too I hope he has found a good family. And if he ever finds his way back to the bird store in need of a home, I will gladly welcome him to join his brothers to grow old with, together.
The news at the Vet's wasn't promising. He said that it was a congenital defect in the clutch and that most likely they would develop heavy cataracts in both eyes as their age progress but he could not give a definite timeline, however he said if it happened in one eye so early that it might not be too long. Well sure enough about 6 more months, right after the turned 1 year old they all started getting more aggressive and scared of me, where as before they wouldnt mind being taken out and put on the playgym, now they started to lunge at me. Well thats when I noticed the cataract in the wrong eye...then I realized it was because the blindness had finally progressed to both eyes and they could probably only barely see shadows at this point, and definitely didnt recognize me anymore.
I was heartbroken for my little buddies but i knew it was a grim possibility and unfortunately it happened. But I knew I had to be strong for them and after a few weeks of being what I assume is fully blind (both eyes completely glazed with cataracts) they seem to be adjusting just fine.
I can no longer take them out and interact with them but I bought them a nice big cage to spend their days in and gave them plenty of fun toys to occupy their time. And I am happy to report that they go up to the high perches still and play with toys. Every day I walk in and see them just being "regular" birds it makes me so happy. They don't let it bring them down. Even though they lost their vision they didnt lose their spirit. I worried they would just sit scared and shaking in a corner like when I first got them but they have overcome blindness and are making the most out of their lives and thats all I want for them. They have eachother and they will always have me. I will always cherish the times when I was able to play with them, but I know they are still happy to goof around in their big cage with their brothers, and thats good enough for me :]
And if, God forbid, that 4th conure brother has lost his vision too I hope he has found a good family. And if he ever finds his way back to the bird store in need of a home, I will gladly welcome him to join his brothers to grow old with, together.
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