Definitely fridge, not freezer - and do it as soon as possible, tissue unfortunately breaks down terribly quicklyIf you are considering this, then keep her in a ziplock bag in the fridge.
Definitely fridge, not freezer - and do it as soon as possible, tissue unfortunately breaks down terribly quicklyIf you are considering this, then keep her in a ziplock bag in the fridge.
I feel so terrible. I can't stop crying. I can't believe this is real
I took macaroni to an exotics vet today. There are barely any vets who deal with exotics in Wales let alone avian vets, and I had only been able to access a regular vet who reluctantly examined her and gave her an all clear when I first got her. I called and researched extensively and finally got an appointment with a vet who's familiar with cockatiels and other small to medium parrots. It was a 2 hour car journey- I don't drive and bribed a friend to take us... I thought it would be worth it. The reason I wanted to take her so desperately ASAP is I'd noticed breathing problems whenever she exercised which I've posted about. Plus she has been acting docile, inactive and low energy since I got her and I was worried her low energy was symptomatic of something. I've been trying my best. Got her a bigger cage, toys, altered her diet from all seed to seed, pellets and fresh veg. Spent lots of time with her every day and researched so much about what she needs to be happy and healthy. I just loved this bird so much
So today after her morning shower, and some snacks and scratches, she's acting normally. A bit low energy but nothing unusual. I take her to the vet, she has a physical exam, is weighed, her poop is looked at inside her carrier, she does some tests on the poop and some bloodwork done and... all clear. Everything is normal.
Now she's gone. She did not make the 2 hour car journey home
Idk what to do with myself. Her empty cage is with me in the room and I just keep crying
Thank you so much for all your advice on my threads... it helped me care for her the best I could while she was here. I miss her so much already, my room feels oddly quiet without hearing her beak grinding in her sleep or her soft little happy chirping. She deserved so much better and I wish I could have gotten her sooner.I'm so profoundly sorry for your loss.
Unfortunately she did have a lot of things stacked against her: a poor diet and history of egg laying means that she was almost certainly battling malnutrition and low calcium, her unusual mutation may have meant that her immune system wasn't as strong as it could have been, she may have been exposed to all sorts of things before you got her. It certainly sounds like there was something not quite right in terms of her health, but unfortunately it's hard to tell exactly what was wrong. Her bloodwork (and a necropsy) may help answer some questions, but you might never get a definitive answer.
What I do know is that her last month with you was filled with love and the very best care you could give her. You gave her everything that was in your power to give: more space, the exercise that she could tolerate, a vastly improved diet and huge amounts of love.
Take all the time you need to grieve. It is a huge, sudden loss and bound to leave you reeling.
Just yesterday I took her outside in her carrier to enjoy an unseasonably warm day and she was so happy in the sunshine, watching the other birds... we went to the park and I gave her pets through her cage bars. I had just increased her hours of sleep to reduce hormones and ordered her new foraging toys... it was just so sudden. Thank you for your words, it really means a lot that much more experienced members think I was doing right by her since she was my first bird and I always worried...Try to remember that yes, she did deserve better - but that she deserved better from the people who had her for the first four years of her life. As soon as she came into your care, you did everything you could to give her a wonderful life. I've watched your knowledge and understanding of parrot care grow by the day. You've asked good questions, made every change that we've suggested and have a really thoughtful, caring approach.
It is terribly sad that you lost her at such a young age. It will not help your grief much right now, but I hope that in time it helps ease the hurt to know that she did not die neglected and alone. She really did have a taste of all the joys of life, even if we all wish it had been longer.