Bingo is going to the doctor

[LaManuka]

Two weeks on the milk thistle Rx..
Still no improvement
Weak, clumsy, skinny.

I have found something that he eats but it’s not good for him.
But it’s something anyway.
And I…. It was by accident more than anything else but I got him to eat more pasta.

Back in the early days I used to let Bingo take food out of my mouth. He loved it and may have had something to do with his strong bond with me.
But haven’t done in long time after learning it’s not good for him.
But anything that gets food into him is better than not eating.

Also went and bought Zupreem fruit blend pellets in hopes of getting something nutritious in him.

In the evening I carry him outside to get fresh air and sun for a bit. He spends so much time in the window he seems fascinated with the outside and he can’t possibly fly in his condition.

My heart goes out to you, Wes, and my most sincere prayers continue for both you and Bingo

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

My heart goes out to you, too, and bingo. Seeing a loved one, no matter the species, seemingly slide downhill is frustrating.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Big hugs sounds like you're doing your best for him, and he surely knows it.

When I was 10 both my parents had very serious cancer. My brother and I went to live with my aunt and uncle while my parents underwent treatment. I had only one bird at the time: sweet precious Tweety, my first bird, a sweet budgie hen. My aunt was very phobic of birds, so Tweety couldn't come with me. My grandparents took her in for the few months everything was up in the air for. Everything worked out, both parents beat the cancer that time, but when we went to go pick up my Tweety bird, I was *horrified* to see my Grandpop had taught her a new trick: she would poke her head in his open mouth and pick his teeth

She never got sick from it or anything like that, so if Bingo will take noodles from your mouth, I say go for it. He's not picking your teeth, and I assume you are careful with it now that you know it's not a fully safe idea not only is that nutrition, but it's an emotional boost for him too. Which, state of mind matters a whole whole lot when dealing with illnesses and that sort of thing

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Grandpa sounds like a funny guy! The cockatiel I had years ago loved to eat out of our mouths. Crackers mostly, just lightly chewed and put on our lips. Never got sick. I know my budgie Joey would do it in a second but I don't let her. She gives me gentle (dry) kisses on the face and lips all the time and never bites. She grooms my eyelashes, too. I've never had a budgie that I trusted with her beak in my face and I've had some really nice budgies.

 

[texsize]

Am I being selfish.
IDK.

I am kind of hiding this post rather than making a separate one.
It’s been more than 3 weeks given Bingo milk thistle and it’s not been helpful at all.
He has still lost more weight.
His keel bone is so thin and prominent, he has almost no muscle in his chest/Brest.

He’s fallen from the kitchen counter 2/3 times. Seems like he looses his balance and rolls to one side or the other and flop. He’s so thin even a short fall could break bones. He’s fallen from the tree stand a few times. That’s well padded but the last time it was head first like a high diver into a pool.
I am afraid to perch him anywhere cuz he can hurt himself before I can react.

He’s so weak he has trouble tucking his beak under his wing to rest/sleep.

He still likes to sit and cuddle with me. He really likes it when I take him outside in the afternoon. He looks up at the sky and watches other birds flying around the house.

He’s still interested in food. When I fix food he’s watching and waiting to have some but no matter what it is he rarely eats more than a bite or two.

When Pacho was …… on the way out I wanted so badly to take her somewhere to end her suffering but it was middle of the night and a weekend.

This isn’t something anyone can help me with.

 

[LaManuka]

Am I being selfish.
IDK.

I am kind of hiding this post rather than making a separate one.
It’s been more than 3 weeks given Bingo milk thistle and it’s not been helpful at all.
He has still lost more weight.
His keel bone is so thin and prominent, he has almost no muscle in his chest/Brest.

He’s fallen from the kitchen counter 2/3 times. Seems like he looses his balance and rolls to one side or the other and flop. He’s so thin even a short fall could break bones. He’s fallen from the tree stand a few times. That’s well padded but the last time it was head first like a high diver into a pool.
I am afraid to perch him anywhere cuz he can hurt himself before I can react.

He’s so weak he has trouble tucking his beak under his wing to rest/sleep.

He still likes to sit and cuddle with me. He really likes it when I take him outside in the afternoon. He looks up at the sky and watches other birds flying around the house.

He’s still interested in food. When I fix food he’s watching and waiting to have some but no matter what it is he rarely eats more than a bite or two.

When Pacho was …… on the way out I wanted so badly to take her somewhere to end her suffering but it was middle of the night and a weekend.

This isn’t something anyone can help me with.

I'm so sorry for this, Wes. I do believe they let us know when they've had enough, although I wouldn't dare to suggest you're there just yet. I don't think you're being selfish but your heart will know, as only yours can. Blessings and love to you and Bingo

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm so sorry you have to watch Bingo deteriorate like this. One thing he has is a lot of love from you and from all of us that have never met him but feel like he's family. As long as he's not in pain your love and affection will make his journey peaceful and when his time comes we will all grieve with you.

I don't think I could put Bingo down unless he was in obvious pain and distress. Maybe I'm selfish, but it was so hard to watch them take Lilibet out of the room knowing what was going to happen, but she had a bad stroke and couldn't function at all so I had to do it. As long as Bingo is getting some enjoyment out of his life, which from what you write, he is, I'd let nature take its course.

Years ago I had a beloved budgie, Buddy, who was slowly dying of kidney failure for over a year at 13 years old. He was getting very thin and when faced with putting him down I asked a human doctor if dying of renal failure was painful. He said it wasn't- that people just faded away peacefully- so I decided to let him go naturally, and he died at home where he felt safe. Perhaps Bingo is slowly starving because he can't process food anymore. They say that starving isn't painful either.

When I think of Bingo, I will always remember that prize winning photo of him on your shoulder, outdoors, smiling at the world like only a joyful parrot can.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

It's tough watching a loved one fade. We're here for you. **Tight Hugs**

 

[bug_n_flock]

Sending big gentle hugs and lots of support

I've put some thought into this sort of thing and personally I think if they still seem like they have some enjoyment, let them stay. I've thought about how I would feel in that situation and I think that even if I were in considerable pain, as long as there was still anything that I enjoyed I would want to experience it for as long as I could, even if it meant feeling pain for longer. There probably would come a point where I wouldn't think it worth it any more, but I would put up with a *lot* of pain if it meant more time with my loved ones and my home and the many other things I love. I do not think you are being selfish at all. I think you are doing an amazing job at being a very good friend to Bingo in his time of need.

 

[texsize]

Bingo has an appointment with the vet tomorrow afternoon.

I stopped giving the milk thistle 2/3 days ago.
After 3 weeks of no improvement or weight gain.

At that time The corner of his beak was looking kind of crusty and I thought it was residue from the Rx.

This morning I got a close look at it and it looks like some kind of growth.
I need glasses for close up vision and Bingo doesn’t let me wear them but if it was there before I should have noticed it. He likes me to rub/ scratch that spot on his face and even if I didn’t see it I would have felt it.

I took a picture… but I don’t know I want to post it.

 

[texsize]

Vet said it doesn’t look good.

The fact that he saw Bingo just 3 weeks ago and didn’t see it means it’s growing fast and that means cancer most likely.
There is an abscess inside his mouth as I thought but could not confirm.
He showed it to me, looked about the size of a pencil eraser.
Touching it with a Q tip caused it to bleed a little.
Can’t be cut out because it would bleed too much.

So my vet went with his trademark treatment,, pain meds and antibiotics.

If this doesn’t help then his next vet visit will probably be his last.

 

[LaManuka]

Vet said it doesn’t look good.

The fact that he saw Bingo just 3 weeks ago and didn’t see it means it’s growing fast and that means cancer most likely.
There is an abscess inside his mouth as I thought but could not confirm.
He showed it to me, looked about the size of a pencil eraser.
Touching it with a Q tip caused it to bleed a little.
Can’t be cut out because it would bleed too much.

So my vet went with his trademark treatment,, pain meds and antibiotics.

If this doesn’t help then his next vet visit will probably be his last.
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I know this is hard, Wes, but try to enjoy every moment as much as you can, because nothing beyond this moment is guaranteed to any of us. And my warmest hugs, love and strength go out to both of you.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could say to help you cope with your grief. Losing a loved one is so incredibly painful. I've been trying to help my sister with her grief after her husband suddenly died and all I can do is lend and ear and let her openly grieve. All of us Parrot People feel your pain- we all go must go through it at some point. You and Bingo are in my thoughts.