inmemoryofrio
New member
- Sep 3, 2016
- 1
- 0
In memory of our beloved Bourke parakeet who died due to egg binding, I wish to try and save as many lives of small pet birds as possible by sending this message out.
We had had Rio for over five years and that tragic summer she layed her first egg without any problems. Being very attached to her, we were naturally worried and read up any advice we could find about egg laying on the internet and sadly none of them prepared us for what was to come. Almost all texts written online correctly state that egg binding is a serious problem with small birds and that they can die from it. But they also say to watch out for signs of bird being unwell in order to be able to get them to a vet immediately. Sadly, small birds are very good at hiding that they are unwell. By the time she was no longer able to fake it on that tragic day, it was about half an hour after the only vet locally specialising in treating small birds closed for the day. All emergency vet numbers I called out of hours were not able to deal with her. Two hours later she rapidly deteriorated and died.
I therefore urge all owners of small pet parakeets who are kept as single females and therefore no breeding is involved, to not repeat our mistake. As soon as the first egg is layed, take her to a specialised vet. They might give her calcium treatment as a preventative measure, they might give her hormonal treatment which will stop further egg production, and many other things. Don't wait. The single female attached to her humans will continue to lay eggs every few days and if the egg binding takes place it will probably be too late to save her. I am suggesting this course of action because the alternative is to stop the broodiness by withdrawing loving attention from them which seems too cruel. Our Rio loved us so much and we couldn't do things like walk out of the room when she starts lovingly singing to us or not pat her on the back when she wanted us to, or kiss her beak. All these have been suggested online. She obviuosly enjoyed all those expressoins of love and we could not deny her that, but perhaps a vet would have been able to prevent her premature death. If you love your parakeet, please take my advice seriously. Prevent egg production rather than wait to treat egg binding. Bourke parakeets are such lovely birds and I wish them all a very long, healthy, and happy life, filled with love and song. Rio has enriched our lives in a way we never thought was possible and we will be grateful for her friendship eternally. Heartbroken Nelson family.
We had had Rio for over five years and that tragic summer she layed her first egg without any problems. Being very attached to her, we were naturally worried and read up any advice we could find about egg laying on the internet and sadly none of them prepared us for what was to come. Almost all texts written online correctly state that egg binding is a serious problem with small birds and that they can die from it. But they also say to watch out for signs of bird being unwell in order to be able to get them to a vet immediately. Sadly, small birds are very good at hiding that they are unwell. By the time she was no longer able to fake it on that tragic day, it was about half an hour after the only vet locally specialising in treating small birds closed for the day. All emergency vet numbers I called out of hours were not able to deal with her. Two hours later she rapidly deteriorated and died.
I therefore urge all owners of small pet parakeets who are kept as single females and therefore no breeding is involved, to not repeat our mistake. As soon as the first egg is layed, take her to a specialised vet. They might give her calcium treatment as a preventative measure, they might give her hormonal treatment which will stop further egg production, and many other things. Don't wait. The single female attached to her humans will continue to lay eggs every few days and if the egg binding takes place it will probably be too late to save her. I am suggesting this course of action because the alternative is to stop the broodiness by withdrawing loving attention from them which seems too cruel. Our Rio loved us so much and we couldn't do things like walk out of the room when she starts lovingly singing to us or not pat her on the back when she wanted us to, or kiss her beak. All these have been suggested online. She obviuosly enjoyed all those expressoins of love and we could not deny her that, but perhaps a vet would have been able to prevent her premature death. If you love your parakeet, please take my advice seriously. Prevent egg production rather than wait to treat egg binding. Bourke parakeets are such lovely birds and I wish them all a very long, healthy, and happy life, filled with love and song. Rio has enriched our lives in a way we never thought was possible and we will be grateful for her friendship eternally. Heartbroken Nelson family.