I know how devasted you'll be if you lose your bird. I just this week lost my darling cockatiel. He would have been 34 years old in two months. I got when as a baby when I was 24, so I've had him almost my entire adult life. We literally went everywhere with me....even flying on a 747 once. Throughout his life he'd had his share of mishaps. Broken wings, broken legs, being blinded in both eyes, but he always mended and recovered from his accidents. His last year was rough. He broke a bone in his wing that prevented him from flying. He had the most confusing look on his face when he continued to try to fly. But soon he got used to us carrying him everywhere that he wanted to go. It got to be a routine. Then he stopped eating seed about three months ago. He only wanted treats and millet. But that kept him going and he was as feisty as ever. Then he developed lumps on the bottoms of his feet and we could tell it was hard to walk. On his last morning he didn't cry to get out of his cage. I kept checking on him and the last time I did, he was on his back staring up at me. I got him out and held him under my chin and rubbed his head and cheeks....which he loved so much. After about 1/2 he suddenly scrambled, through out his wings and flew to heaven. He was gone. I'm inconsolable and doubt the pain will never end.
I think my cockatile is sick or dying he has been breathing hevy and he won't whisle any more he has not been acting like him self he is 26 and his name is f.e please help I will be devastated if he goes
I have just found this forum while looking for some health tips for my cockatiel "Sparky". I think he is on his last legs and it's no wonder! He is at least 30 years old and may even be 32 or33.
My late wife and I have been very lucky to have had so much pleasure from a loving and very friendly companion and it will be a massive loss when he does go!
Thank you tielbob for your kindness.
I checked her after she passed and the lump was just feces that hardened outside of her anal area which was clean and clear. She couldn't walk good so I think from sitting in the back of the cage it just developed. So I think she had another stroke (she had two over the past six years but she was doing okay). Almost 29 years is a long time to have a little one just be gone. Her mate was screaming this morning and my blind male kinda stopped screaming. Time will pass - Saturday she will be buried in my mom's yard with all the other tiels.
maryann
These little ones can't tell us they don't feel well - it's also not in their nature - if they show any weakness or illness, predators select them in the wild. So if they don't feel well, they don't show it, and other times they might even feel ok but not be. It's not practical in day-to-day life to think that we can spot every problem a bird might develop, or that we can do something about it to 'fix' it even if we find something wrong. You are right about several things you said: Your vet probably would have euthanized her. Also, Kelly was greatly loved and she knew it. On the other hand, you assume it was an impaction but you don't know if there was something internally wrong that caused it or if it was a tumor or something - things beyond anyone's control. In the end, no matter how long our beloved pets live, it's never going to be long enough. I'm really sorry you lost Kelly :(.
I'm really glad I found this thread. My lutino boy, Cheri, started looking pretty worse for wear on Sunday night. He's 18 years old and has had your problems typical of the over-bread lutinos. He's always been a little "slow" and went blind early in life, but otherwise has always been very happy and loving. He sings me such sweet little songs. I'm leaving work early today to take him to the vet, and hopefully they'll be able to tell me what's happening. I don't want to hear that his time is near and that his body is failing... but if that's what they tell me, then I'll do whatever I can to make him comfortable until he's gone. Who knows, maybe he just needs to change of diet or some vitamin supplements. But he is quite old and frail, so I feel like I just need to prepare myself to say goodbye. I'm just absolutely dreading it.