The perils of polyomavirus: coping with the loss of multiple birds

reeb

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Oct 23, 2017
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Cape Town, South Africa
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Berry (ā™€ Cockatiel) hatched June 2017
Opal (ā™‚ Budgie) hatched 13 August 2017
Pearl (ā™€ Budgie) hatched 15 August 2017
+ an aviary of 16 other budgies! all hatched 2014-2017
Recently, I experienced a tragedy I never thought I would. Berry, my cockatiel, came down with what initially looked like an ordinary bacterial infection in her crop. She had been seemingly active and healthy in the days leading up to the first symptoms. She then deteriorated after a few days in hospital, developing much more severe symptoms. Sadly, she passed away, despite the best efforts of the vet. I was (and still am) heartbroken. I had envisioned spending 2 decades with this bird, and it was cut short without any warning. She had made such a full and miraculous recovery after having metal poisoning just 6 months ago, so this was a real shock.

To my horror, my two budgies, Pearl and Opal, came down with the exact same symptoms just days after her death. I rushed them both to the vet. The vet became fairly certain at this point that it was a case of polyomavirus: a deadly, hyper-contagious and incurable disease. The symptoms and course of the disease all matched up. It can lie dormant in a bird for years, and then suddenly rear its ugly head, causing a savage onset of symptoms and death. We believe that Berry was the index case, having possibly harboured the virus for many years asymptomatically.

The vet immediately got to work providing supportive care for Pearl and Opal, as well as sending away blood tests to confirm her suspicions. Sadly, just two days into being at the vet, Opal also succumbed to his symptoms. We still had not had the results of the blood tests (due to the lockdown situation here in South Africa, the labs are working at a lower capacity). We chose to send Opalā€™s body away for a necropsy too, just to have as much clarity as possible.

At this point, I just had this gut feeling that Pearl would not survive either. She is already in poor health, as she has a lipoma in her abdomen, which is a kind of benign fatty tumour. I didnā€™t expect her to live for very long, as it can become very obstructive for her organs. And with the illness on top of that, it just wasnā€™t looking good. ā€Øā€ØHowever, she began to improve after a few days at the vet, and yesterday, she finally came home after about 10 days of supportive care. I guess it's kind of like coronavirus in humans. Some recover, some don't.

She is doing well, eating normally, preening, flying and chatting. I can tell that she is in mourning though. She doesnā€™t understand why her flock is suddenly gone. She was never a clingy bird, but since coming home, she has been sitting on my shoulder constantly. And because of the nature of this virus, I wonā€™t be able to get her a friend or introduce her to the outdoor aviary because it is so contagious. She is now a carrier of it, and thereā€™s nothing that can be done about that.

We are still waiting on the results of the tests. It could be a different disease of course, but all of the symptoms match up with polyomavirus to a tee. For now, Iā€™m just spending all of my time with Pearl as she adjusts to her new life as a single bird. Her cage is now in my room, so even when she isnā€™t out of the cage, she is around me. Iā€™m all she has left, after all.

Initially, I couldnā€™t help but blame myself in some way, because I feel so responsible for their well-being. That even though I reacted as quickly as possible with bringing them to the vet, it was no use.

I am so glad that my Pearl made it through, it truly feels like a miracle.

I just hope that she continues to heal, and that I heal too.

Berry:
6ba5e999f6bbe391609a860307f7d679.mov


Opal:
baa6dfe5317f3d87d70492ebd2c95089.mov
 
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LaManuka

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Oh dear reeb, I can barely believe what I'm reading! I am so sorry to hear this awful news, my heart is truly breaking for you right now! Honestly I don't know what's worse, losing a precious bird after a long lifetime together, or to lose them young when you could have expected to have had so many happy years with them. But because of you, Berry and Opal knew more love in their lives than many others ever will and that is something to be thankful for, and their memories will last a lifetime. And I know you will continue to give Pearl the best life a little birdie could ever hope for. I hope the test results come back soon and provide some closure for you.

Godspeed on your way to the Rainbow Bridge Berry and Opal, until we all meet again :smile016::smile016:
 

saxguy64

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Patches the Grand Eclectus, my best friend. RIP
Cuckoo the BFA RIP
Oh no!!! I'm so sorry for your loss. Berry and Opal were so loved, not only by yourself, but by many of us here on the forum. They will live on in the hearts of so many people across the globe. The thing that sticks with me is Opal's winning POTM photo from a while back. He was the most striking budgie I've ever seen. Absolutely stunning.

Your birdies knew how much you loved them, the best gift they could ever have from you. In the end, that love is the thing that truly matters. Fly free, little Opal and Berry.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

Laurasea

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Oh no!!! So sad, I canā€™t believe you and your flock have to thru this. Opal was such a handsome guy. Berry was sweet and beautiful! They look so healthy in the pictures, this is just not fair!!!

You took such fast action and did all you could to give them a chance. My heart aches with yours these beautiful loved happy babies should not have been snatched away!
I pray for the day avians veterinary science advances enormously so vaccines against these terrible viruses are available..

Much love to you
 

Terry57

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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)
reeb, I am so sorry for your unimaginable loss of Opal and Berry. You reacted so quickly and did everything you could, this is just such a tragedy.
I'm so glad Pearl made it, and that you have each other. My heart breaks for you both for your losses.
Sending much love to you and Pearl, and Beautiful Berry & Opal will always be remembered.
 

Scott

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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Dearest reeb, my sorrowful condolences for your loss of Berry and Opal. Both were beloved by members, your devotion to flock immensely respected. May you and Pearl grieve together and cherish bright memories.
 

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