Hey guys,
I'm new here and wanted to share this story with you and possibly get some advice.
I have had a cockatiel (legal name: Sun Ra Badu Chaplin // also known as: Charlie) since the end of January, he is my first and only pet, and about 9-10 months old. I did a lot of research before getting a bird and was aware that it would be a huge commitment that I am 100% invested in.
We have become good friends over the months, I've done some flight training with him in closed spaces, and he is surrounded by musicians and a vibrant environment when my friends come over to my apartment. Everyone adores him.
However, Charlie has been sick a lot, since January I took him to my local vet about 5 times and got antibiotic treatment for him, until I finally decided that I need to make the trip to Amsterdam( I live 40 minutes by train from there) to a specialist bird clinic for second opinion. Since I don't drive, this meant taking him by train and tram and being surrounded by lots of curious people wondering what that chirping sound is coming from my lap.
Well, he got diagnosed with psittacosis, and this is a serious condition that needs treatment for 42 days. The vet asked me to administer the liquid to him orally with a syringe twice a day, which is stressful for him but he eventually collaborated.
However, since my parents don't live here and I don't have many opportunities to see them, i decided to meet with them in Germany for a week and leave Charlie with my neighbor again (last month he stayed with him for 3 nights while I was traveling with no problems) . We practiced administering the medication to him, and I reminded him again of all safety precautions. I left last week Monday,and kept checking up on him by phone, my neighbor would tell me he is fine.
Then Saturday I was eating out with my parents at a restaurant and my neighbor calls me, telling me Charlie is lying in his hands and dying. He couldnt sit or stand, was just lying limp. It was horrible to hear something like that by phone, and I started panicking and called a friend who lives closeby. I told him that if my bird is dying I want him there with him, as a comfort. So he went over, and they took him to an emergency vet, the only one available in my city.
The vet called me and said he is dying, and that with my permission she could put him to sleep, so he suffers less. I told her I don't want that, I want him to die out in nature, under a tree, in the loving hands of someone. So my friends took him to a park, laid him down in the grass, held him, and he was unresponsive for the most part.
Then my friend decided to call me and put me on speaker so I could talk to Charlie. Apparently, as soon as he heard my voice and I started whistling to him, he opened his eyes and tried to stand and even walked a few steps. They took photos as it was happening and sent them to me.
Then I immediately got on a train to the Netherlands around midnight, I traveled around 13 hours and arrived Sunday afternoon, constantly fearing he is dead by the time I arrive.
Well: as I am typing this, he is alive, standing on his perch. He was very shaky and wobbly when I first arrived, but since yesterday he is even able to climb to his food bowl. He is too weak to fly, but I do believe he is improving. I updated my local vet and the one in Amsterdam about this and they said they never heard of such a thing before, normally when they are lying flat there is not much anyone can do.
I do see this as a miracle, and I am touched that hearing my voice and whistles gave him enough energy to fight a bit longer to live.
So now I'm wondering... This whole experience is showing me that he is likely very very attached to me (I spend many hours with him every day), and since my apartment is not that large and I am a student, I don't have the finances or the space to take care of 2 birds. How do I deal with this? How can I leave him alone, how can I travel? For the other cockatiel owners who have birds that are strongly bonded, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!
Thank you (if you made it this far)
Mina
P.s. Attached some photos from our phone conversation.
I'm new here and wanted to share this story with you and possibly get some advice.
I have had a cockatiel (legal name: Sun Ra Badu Chaplin // also known as: Charlie) since the end of January, he is my first and only pet, and about 9-10 months old. I did a lot of research before getting a bird and was aware that it would be a huge commitment that I am 100% invested in.
We have become good friends over the months, I've done some flight training with him in closed spaces, and he is surrounded by musicians and a vibrant environment when my friends come over to my apartment. Everyone adores him.
However, Charlie has been sick a lot, since January I took him to my local vet about 5 times and got antibiotic treatment for him, until I finally decided that I need to make the trip to Amsterdam( I live 40 minutes by train from there) to a specialist bird clinic for second opinion. Since I don't drive, this meant taking him by train and tram and being surrounded by lots of curious people wondering what that chirping sound is coming from my lap.
Well, he got diagnosed with psittacosis, and this is a serious condition that needs treatment for 42 days. The vet asked me to administer the liquid to him orally with a syringe twice a day, which is stressful for him but he eventually collaborated.
However, since my parents don't live here and I don't have many opportunities to see them, i decided to meet with them in Germany for a week and leave Charlie with my neighbor again (last month he stayed with him for 3 nights while I was traveling with no problems) . We practiced administering the medication to him, and I reminded him again of all safety precautions. I left last week Monday,and kept checking up on him by phone, my neighbor would tell me he is fine.
Then Saturday I was eating out with my parents at a restaurant and my neighbor calls me, telling me Charlie is lying in his hands and dying. He couldnt sit or stand, was just lying limp. It was horrible to hear something like that by phone, and I started panicking and called a friend who lives closeby. I told him that if my bird is dying I want him there with him, as a comfort. So he went over, and they took him to an emergency vet, the only one available in my city.
The vet called me and said he is dying, and that with my permission she could put him to sleep, so he suffers less. I told her I don't want that, I want him to die out in nature, under a tree, in the loving hands of someone. So my friends took him to a park, laid him down in the grass, held him, and he was unresponsive for the most part.
Then my friend decided to call me and put me on speaker so I could talk to Charlie. Apparently, as soon as he heard my voice and I started whistling to him, he opened his eyes and tried to stand and even walked a few steps. They took photos as it was happening and sent them to me.
Then I immediately got on a train to the Netherlands around midnight, I traveled around 13 hours and arrived Sunday afternoon, constantly fearing he is dead by the time I arrive.
Well: as I am typing this, he is alive, standing on his perch. He was very shaky and wobbly when I first arrived, but since yesterday he is even able to climb to his food bowl. He is too weak to fly, but I do believe he is improving. I updated my local vet and the one in Amsterdam about this and they said they never heard of such a thing before, normally when they are lying flat there is not much anyone can do.
I do see this as a miracle, and I am touched that hearing my voice and whistles gave him enough energy to fight a bit longer to live.
So now I'm wondering... This whole experience is showing me that he is likely very very attached to me (I spend many hours with him every day), and since my apartment is not that large and I am a student, I don't have the finances or the space to take care of 2 birds. How do I deal with this? How can I leave him alone, how can I travel? For the other cockatiel owners who have birds that are strongly bonded, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!
Thank you (if you made it this far)
Mina
P.s. Attached some photos from our phone conversation.
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I can't even handle how sweet the love you and your bird have. I hope he gets better and fully recovers. Incredible story. 
