Getting another cockatiel..need advice

[suzcg]

Sorry for the long post

I had two cockatiels (both 1.5 years old) one got sick...sleeping a lot, I noticed this on a Sunday. I took him to the vet on the Monday, they took some blood and gave me some antibiotics for him. I went and got a heat lamp, baby bird formula and fed him and gave him water and meds and kept him warm. I watched him all night, in the morning I took him out and within 30 mins he was dead. I was devastated as was my other bird. I took my other bird to the vet to have him (found out he was a she) completely checked out. My bird that died had a high white blood cell count. Anyway all the tests have all come back on my bird that is still alive and she is OK.

She is very lonely I work at home so I am with her most of the time but she screams if she is alone (when nobody is in the room). I try not to take her out all the time as I do want her to get used to be alone but its breaking my heart. I am wondering if I should get her another friend. There is a local bird store they hand rear all species of birds there and I was looking at the young hand reared cockatiels. If I do get another bird should I go through all the tests for the new baby bird. The store owner told me that the parents have been tested and are kept in a special location as are all of the babies. I am not sure what to do for the best and I am so worried about my little bird.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[MikeyTN]

How long ago did he die? I would wait for at least 3 months and dis-infect everything. From the cage, dish, toys, etc. Yes to take the new bird for testing and also quarantine the new comer in a complete different room for at least a month before you attempt introducing them together!!! Sorry about your loss, when they get sick they can die pretty quickly....

 

[EmeraldIsle]

My cockatiel died from sickness recently too, but I didn't even get to take him to the vet because I realized too late that he was sick. I work at home too. We lived together for 6 years and that can't be replaced. I'm gonna get another cockatiel or an amazon parrot in the next few months. I think you should get another cockatiel to keep your cockatiel company.