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Comfort for Dying Old Cockatiel
Petey, my 22 year and 5-month old cockatiel is dying. It started over two months ago when he go sick. He looked like the wild birds I've seen with West Nile virus. Just when we were certain it was the end, Petey rallied but hasn't been the same since. He's had loose stools off and on and has lost a lot of weight. I've used moulting and conditioning vitamins as a supplement for several years, but it's not making any difference now obviously. He does eat his regular seed, but not as much, and has trouble with his old favorite sunflower seeds. A spray of fresh millet gets the biggest reaction out of him these days.
He sleeps most of the time, keeps his feathers puffed up like he's cold, and seems to need his wings for balance more often than not. There's certainly a loss of coordination. Petey never would use a Happy Hut, so I have a small towel on the bottom of one corner of his cage that he likes to snug with. Better than nothing. During the worst of his illness, he wanted nothing to do with us. In the past few days, he wants nothing more than to sit under my chin and sleep.
I want to do right by my little companion, so any hints you can offer for comfort measures will be greatly appreciated. Petey was the first companion "child" that my husband I had. Life will be so strange without him, but I'm grateful for all the years we've had with. He's never had one single health problem in all this time, so it's difficult to see him like this. All I can think of is to keep him as warm and comfortable as possible until he's gone. :-(
He sleeps most of the time, keeps his feathers puffed up like he's cold, and seems to need his wings for balance more often than not. There's certainly a loss of coordination. Petey never would use a Happy Hut, so I have a small towel on the bottom of one corner of his cage that he likes to snug with. Better than nothing. During the worst of his illness, he wanted nothing to do with us. In the past few days, he wants nothing more than to sit under my chin and sleep.
I want to do right by my little companion, so any hints you can offer for comfort measures will be greatly appreciated. Petey was the first companion "child" that my husband I had. Life will be so strange without him, but I'm grateful for all the years we've had with. He's never had one single health problem in all this time, so it's difficult to see him like this. All I can think of is to keep him as warm and comfortable as possible until he's gone. :-(
The other thing that ***** is, I'm really not sure know what she died of.
I found Figgy at the airport 24 years ago, so, I don't know how old she was when I found her. Maybe she died of old age ..?? She'd been looking kind of haggard the last year, so I'm thinking perhaps renal failure. When the vet examined her, he said her lungs were "gurgling", so he thought she had an infection or pneumonia and he gave her Baytril. During the week that I gave her the Baytril, the first 3 days she seemed to get better. Then, the last 3 days, she went downhill fast.
She put up a fight. She fought death. She didn't want to die.
I did everything I could.
Maybe I should've taken her to the vet sooner, but there are very few vets around who treat birds ...
:>(
I found Figgy at the airport 24 years ago, so, I don't know how old she was when I found her. Maybe she died of old age ..?? She'd been looking kind of haggard the last year, so I'm thinking perhaps renal failure. When the vet examined her, he said her lungs were "gurgling", so he thought she had an infection or pneumonia and he gave her Baytril. During the week that I gave her the Baytril, the first 3 days she seemed to get better. Then, the last 3 days, she went downhill fast.
She put up a fight. She fought death. She didn't want to die.
I did everything I could.
Maybe I should've taken her to the vet sooner, but there are very few vets around who treat birds ...
:>(
1 Comments
Birds catch cold very easy, never drafty areas or areas to close to heaters as it drys the air,birds are the best and I'm glad you took him in and had so many years, sorry for your lost though, mine is really old and he doesn't have much longer
Thanks, Maryann. The male is grieving badly. He won't eat. Won't stay in the cage. I had to take him out of the cage and keep him with me in the computer room/office. Last nite he wouldn't get off the ceiling fan in the bedroom. Today I figured out why. He's on the ceiling fan in my office right now staring at the reflection of himself on the housing (of the fan). It looks like a mirror, so I suppose he thinks it's another bird. This guy has NEVER been alone. When I got him, I already had the female.
Honestly, I will NEVER get another pet because frankly, going thru the death process for me personally, is far worse than the many years of joy the animals gave me. My day was HORRIBLE yesterday -- going back and forth trying to keep Figgy (the female) alive. I couldn't eat 'cause I felt like throwing up, and I couldn't sleep last nite. This was an horrible experience.
Thanks for the condolences, tho'.
Honestly, I will NEVER get another pet because frankly, going thru the death process for me personally, is far worse than the many years of joy the animals gave me. My day was HORRIBLE yesterday -- going back and forth trying to keep Figgy (the female) alive. I couldn't eat 'cause I felt like throwing up, and I couldn't sleep last nite. This was an horrible experience.
Thanks for the condolences, tho'.
2 Comments
My bird has never had a companion and really loves to talk to himself and kisses the mirror, I know they often say not to give them mirrors as they won't talk but mine talks up a storm, he loves his bird mirror friend
Hi Karen,
I've had four cockatiels myself, and I well know how heavily they grieve for one another at their passing, especially if the birds were mates, or close. I lost dory not long ago, and my other bird, Rubes, did grieve her absence and did spend much time staring at himself in his mirrors. He hardly moved from his spot from the top of the cage for weeks. It really bothered me to watch the way Rubes would incessantly scan the room over and over looking for some sign of his departed friend. But it's a couple months later and Rubes is doing good and his grief seems to have passed, and does seem happy with me now. I did buy him a couple of Parakeets which have their own cage, and I think the distraction helped a good bit. At least he wasn't stuck home alone when I'm gone which is quite a bit since I work a forty hour a week job. I can understand your feelings about not wanting to be hurt by the loss of another bird and not wanting to have to see one of your little friends grieve for his friend. It's tough. No doubt about it. Some of us might be too tenderhearted for pet ownership.....but somehow I can't seem to give it up for good.
I've had four cockatiels myself, and I well know how heavily they grieve for one another at their passing, especially if the birds were mates, or close. I lost dory not long ago, and my other bird, Rubes, did grieve her absence and did spend much time staring at himself in his mirrors. He hardly moved from his spot from the top of the cage for weeks. It really bothered me to watch the way Rubes would incessantly scan the room over and over looking for some sign of his departed friend. But it's a couple months later and Rubes is doing good and his grief seems to have passed, and does seem happy with me now. I did buy him a couple of Parakeets which have their own cage, and I think the distraction helped a good bit. At least he wasn't stuck home alone when I'm gone which is quite a bit since I work a forty hour a week job. I can understand your feelings about not wanting to be hurt by the loss of another bird and not wanting to have to see one of your little friends grieve for his friend. It's tough. No doubt about it. Some of us might be too tenderhearted for pet ownership.....but somehow I can't seem to give it up for good.
Dear Karen
I am so sorry to read your post about your beloved cockatiel. It is very sad and I have lost cockateils and now have a 28 yr old, and two 26 year old cockateils still living. I am dreading the time my 28 year old will die; she has been frail, weak, lost her balance since some strokes over five years ago. She is hanging on - I will be thinking of you in your loss and stay strong. I know it is sad to see her mate grieve, as I had the same issue; I had the mate just look at the still body and I think helped him absorb what happened. Again, I will be thinking of you.
maryann
I am so sorry to read your post about your beloved cockatiel. It is very sad and I have lost cockateils and now have a 28 yr old, and two 26 year old cockateils still living. I am dreading the time my 28 year old will die; she has been frail, weak, lost her balance since some strokes over five years ago. She is hanging on - I will be thinking of you in your loss and stay strong. I know it is sad to see her mate grieve, as I had the same issue; I had the mate just look at the still body and I think helped him absorb what happened. Again, I will be thinking of you.
maryann
She's gone. She died. Both her companion of 24 yrs. (the other 1/2 of a breeding pair) and I are grieving. 24 years!
It'll be rough.
It'll be rough.
My bird is dying. I am so sad. I don't want her to die.
I just gave her some Palm Oil. I was giving her baytril, but now it seems to make her condition worse.
Please, tell me what to do.
Thanks.
I just gave her some Palm Oil. I was giving her baytril, but now it seems to make her condition worse.
Please, tell me what to do.
Thanks.
My bird is dying. I am so sad. I don't want her to die.
I just gave her some Palm Oil. I was giving her baytril, but now it seems to make her condition worse.
Please, tell me what to do.
Thanks.
I just gave her some Palm Oil. I was giving her baytril, but now it seems to make her condition worse.
Please, tell me what to do.
Thanks.
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