My baby girl is gone.

witchbaby

Member
Feb 4, 2014
551
2
Virginia
Parrots
cinnamon turquoise gcc - luna,
pineapple gcc - drago,
galah/rose breasted cockatoo - merlin,
timneh african grey - jasper,
pied cockatiel - picasso,
blue & gold macaw - mia
My heart feels so broken. It all happened so quickly. I wasn't ready for this.

A few days ago, I noticed Bandit seemed more tired than usual. She took three naps in one day, which is odd. I decided to keep an eye on her, but I figured she just wasn't getting enough sleep and I put her to bed early. The next morning I noticed she had lost weight. She felt much smaller and weaker in my hands. I could see in her eyes that she wasn't feeling well, so I called the vet.

They took x-rays and did bloodwork. Her digestive tract was inflamed and her white blood cell count was high. She had lost 20% of her body weight despite the fact that she was eating normally, which is insane. This literally happened overnight. I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep track of your bird's weight. If you see any change at all, even a small one, contact an avian vet. It could save your bird's life.

The vet wanted to keep her over the weekend. They put her in an incubator and tried to get her weight up as well as treat the infection. We said goodbye to her and she snuggled up against me and made soft, happy peeping sounds. They stayed at the clinic until late that night taking care of her. The vet said she seemed very happy because of all the attention she was getting. She passed away early in the morning.

I can't stop crying. This hurts so much. She was my best friend.

I'll know more about what happened after the necropsy results come back. I was told it wasn't anything I did wrong and she's probably been fighting and hiding this for a long time, but I can't help but feel guilty. I feel like I should have known my baby was sick long before she started showing any signs of it. I should have called the vet the minute she took that second nap. Maybe she would still be alive today.

And the timing is so horrible, but I paid the deposit for another conure just before I found out Bandit was sick. I'm supposed to pick her up in 2-3 weeks, only now I'm terrified of bringing another bird into the house until I know this won't happen again. I feel so lost.

.

I love you, Bandit. I'll miss you every day.

 

Agapornis

New member
Oct 25, 2012
478
1
California
Parrots
Turquoise GCC - Fiji - Hatch Date: 8/14/12 and Yellow Sided GCC - Sundance - Hatch Date: 4/12/13
So sorry for your loss!!! Birds are so fragile. :( I think you should go ahead and get the other conure. It will help heal your heart.
 

Terry57

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Nov 6, 2013
47,496
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38,649
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Parrots
Hawkhead(Darwin),YCA(Dexter),VE (Ekko),OWA(Slater),BHP(Talli),DYH(Calypso),RLA(Kimera),Alex(Xander)CBC(Phoe),IRN (Kodee,Luna,Stevie),WCP (Pisces),CAG(Justice)GCC (Jax), GSC2(Charley)
I am so sorry for your loss:( My heart goes out to you.
 

Chelle

New member
Aug 5, 2013
268
0
Parrots
CHEESECAKE (Pineapple~GCC) 2/4/14
I am so sorry to hear that you lost your baby! Keep us updated on the necropsy and the new baby please.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Sorry for your loss.
 

crimson

New member
Oct 8, 2012
3,223
Media
5
6
Ontario,Canada
Parrots
Senegal-Martini,1 pineapple conure~ Kahlua,1 GCC~ Flare, spl/b, 4 Lovebirds Halo,Tye-Die,Luna,Violet,8 Cockatiels,Num Num&Tundra,8-Ball&Angus,Magnet&Sunkist,Pearl, Blush, 1 gouldian finch, 7 canaries
I am so sorry for your loss of Bandit.

please keep us posted on the necropsy, at the very least you will know what happened.
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
I'm very sorry to read this. Please keep us posted about the necropsy. That's so important to know if it was a virus or not before bringing another baby into the environment.
Don't blame yourself please. You noticed it as soon as humanly possible. I'm afraid a few hours earlier wouldn't have made a difference. It's not your fault. I'm so sorry for your pain :(
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
Oh gosh, I'm sitting here crying....I am SO very sorry for your loss of your sweet Bandit. :(

Many MANY hugs to you.

Rest easy, Bandit. You were much loved, have left an enormous hole in your mommy's heart, and you will never be forgotten. :(
 

strudel

New member
Sep 30, 2013
1,939
Media
5
1
How awful for you. :( Please try not to feel responsible, it was not your fault. Vale Bandit.
 

ruffledfeathers

New member
Aug 23, 2012
1,970
Media
5
3
NJ
Parrots
Gilbert Oliver, Blue Crown Conure; Georgie, Sun Conure (2/8/01-8/8/12) RIP little girl; Percy, budgie 1993-1999. RIP Pepito-spanish timbrado canary
So sorry for losing your little buddy. :( If you are worried about the new bird, maybe just take it a step at a time. Get the necropsy results first and if it is something that would make you want to wait a while to bring a new bird home, explain the circumstances to the breeder?? I'm sure they don't want to jeapordize their bird either.
If it is just a matter of grief, you never know...maybe the new bird was "meant to be"??? You have a deposit on a new baby waiting to be loved at a time when you have a hole and all the love to give....
In any case, i'm very sorry. I still miss Georgie and feel sad over her sometimes too. I am thankful little Gilbert eased my pain.
 

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
I am so sorry to hear about Bandit. The worst thing about birds is they hide so well when they are sick and by the time they show symptoms or anything that makes us think they are ill, its usually so late.... I am so sorry, you got Bandit to the vet as soon as you knew there was a problem, there was nothing more you could have done. Its the hardest part about birds, they keep up the happy face even when they feel terrible.

I hope you are obtaining a necropsy report. You need to know what and why. If it was viral, you may need to make sure your home is clean and safe before a new baby comes home. Or if it was something Bandit got a hold of, you want to be sure what it was to eliminate a threat to any other birds that come into your life.

These are by far some of the hardest lessons to learn in life. We had a similar experience years ago, still one of those things that bother me, the what ifs...

I am so so sorry... big hug to you...
 
OP
witchbaby

witchbaby

Member
Feb 4, 2014
551
2
Virginia
Parrots
cinnamon turquoise gcc - luna,
pineapple gcc - drago,
galah/rose breasted cockatoo - merlin,
timneh african grey - jasper,
pied cockatiel - picasso,
blue & gold macaw - mia
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #16
Thank you for all the kind comments.

It turned out to be a fungal infection in her stomach. Usually it passes through and can be detected by testing the poop, but somehow her results came back negative when I took her in a few days ago AND when he ran the test during her last check-up. Strangely, this is usually acquired through contact with other birds, but Bandit hasn't had any contact with other birds since she came home with me. It doesn't make any sense...
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Again...I am so sorry for your loss. :( I know what it's like to lose a beloved pet more than once.

Disease AND infection particles can be passed on by toys and supplies purchased in an environment that has birds, or people bringing in pets for grooming (bird store). Not sure how long fungal infections stay stable in the environment, but I'd throw out any old items which cannot be thoroughly sanitized. Good luck to you as your heart heals.
 

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
Have you been anywhere that you visited with birds? Even a pet store....

I am so sorry...
 
OP
witchbaby

witchbaby

Member
Feb 4, 2014
551
2
Virginia
Parrots
cinnamon turquoise gcc - luna,
pineapple gcc - drago,
galah/rose breasted cockatoo - merlin,
timneh african grey - jasper,
pied cockatiel - picasso,
blue & gold macaw - mia
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #19
I just bought her a whole bunch of new toys a few weeks ago. Some of them hadn't been given to her yet, but now I don't trust any of it. I'll have to throw all of them away and sanitize the hell out of my home.
 
OP
witchbaby

witchbaby

Member
Feb 4, 2014
551
2
Virginia
Parrots
cinnamon turquoise gcc - luna,
pineapple gcc - drago,
galah/rose breasted cockatoo - merlin,
timneh african grey - jasper,
pied cockatiel - picasso,
blue & gold macaw - mia
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #20
Have you been anywhere that you visited with birds? Even a pet store....

I am so sorry...

I've been to two different pet stores in the last few weeks, but I never handled any of the birds and I know I washed my hands before I handled Bandit. I really hope I didn't bring something home with me...
 

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