Morbid Question, sorry

[Pebbles]

My parakeet has a nasty Xanathoma and has pecked at it and is now bleeding. I need to euthanize her, and am wondering what others think as regards method and how to handle the situation as regards her mate. These are my only birds and I love them so dearly. I'm sorry to ask such morbid questions, but wonder if others think I should let the mate see the dead body afterwards so he knows she's gone? Or just do this all in a separate room and he never sees her after she leaves the cage?
Also Ive found a vet to come to my home but have read horror stories about pain and bird shrieking when needle is inserted into such a tiny heart.
Please....any advice would ease my breaking heart.

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm wondering if you have considered alternatives to euthanizing your beloved little one for this reason? I think a trip to the vet is in order, but to discuss what might be able to be done for the xanthoma and a solution to prevent further picking at it. If your budgie is still up and about and eating, and still basically having a decent quality of life, there are other options to think of . Also, there are many vets who will make the decision based on their ethical beliefs and not what the owner wants IF they themselves feel that the animal doesn't deserve to be euthanized at that point. Good luck.

To answer your question about mates, since most don't pass away at the same exact time.. most of the time budgies will be sad and a bit quiet for a little while as they adjust to not having their other half around. They do come to terms and generally recover emotionally rather quickly. IMO, although birds form strong loving bonds, they do recover and move on in a much shorter time frame than most humans would.

With Twigs, he saw Pix going downhill to the point of death (two avian vets, and tests and treatment for his genetic issues and there was nothing we could do. He passed naturally, but sooner than I had expected). By the time Pix passed, Twigs didn't even act sad. Perhaps he knew and sensed his friend was dying and already had moved on.

 

[Anansi]

Wait. Are you euthanizing your parakeet due to a xanthoma? A fatty growth? I've always understood that they could be safely removed and that, with a healthy change in diet, might not recur. Unless there are different types of which I'm unaware.

Nothing wrong with asking that question, though, provided your bird really does have to be euthanized. In my case, I chose to allow Maya to see Bixby once he'd passed. I could tell from her reaction that she understood that he was gone.

I've never regretted it.

 

[riddick07]

I agree with others on the vet alternative options issue.

I allowed my male cockatiel to see my female after she passed away. He kind of cried and sang over her. He knew what had happened and has always been a bit clingy to other birds since.

 

[Minimaker]

If your budgie is on a seed diet (I'm assuming that is the case-correct me if I'm wrong), that causes big problems. Change the diet asap and you may be able to drastically improve your budgie's health. Switch to tiny zupreme or roudybush pellets, I feed roudybush nibbles which are seed sized. Fresh fruits and veggies will really help. I recently read on another group somewhere else where someone saved their sick budgie with a growth and fatty liver disease by doing just this and working with a vet. You can slowly work seed out of the diet by adding in a quality brand pellet and reducing the seed each time you refill the food. Seeds are like feeding cheeseburgers for life, causes fatty tumors and early death.

 

[Aquila]

Here's a little more info. These types of growths are common in parakeets and cockatiels, and more common in females.

Fat Tumours or Fatty Tumors: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

I would try changing the diet as well as exercise, and if possible, try to get it removed before it becomes infected, as outcomes are very good as long as they're in otherwise good health.

I know it's difficult to think about such a tiny bird undergoing surgery, BUT, if you have any vet schools near you, I would try taking your budgie there.

 

[Pebbles]

Thank you dearly, all, for your responses. My bird was primarily eating seed, yes, but so was her mate - who is fine. The vet said sometimes it's genetic. I've added more pellets and fruit and hoped I could turn this around, but she's already pecked at the growth (it's on her abdomen) and there's a spot of blood on the bottom of the cage. My birds fly all day in an open room - so they get plenty of exercise. Neither is fat. The vet said however that the tumor is too big to remove, and gave me syringes full of anti-inflammatory/pain meds for her, which I'm now reluctant to use - as I fear that grabbing her will only make the open wound worse. I've a vet friend who can come over to euthanize my bird at home. Still trying to decide how to handle this with the mate - so thanks for your ideas - and well, - just your caring helps a lot. It's amazing how big in my heart this little bird's life is. My friend won't tell me her euthanizing method, and I'm just a mess as this decision weights so heavy.... I'm assuming the situation can only worsen as the bird will keep trying to remove the area that's bothering her.

 

[Pebbles]

PS I didn't mean to defend or excuse the bad diet.
I was given the birds and wasn't told or aware of how critical it was to keep trying to get them to eat veggies and fruit; I tried and tried, but now, too late - I understand the process with pellets and slowly changing out the seed.
Thanks again for your messages. Any other ideas re euthanzing. (?)
I assume my vet friend will use a needle, but I read somewhere that this is painful for birds. I've read, too, about making a co2 chamber with white vinegar and baking soda. Really, I haven't the nerve and am so shaken and surprised by how much this impending loss hurts, - I'm not thinking clearly, so again, I really appreciate all your help here.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome to the forums, Pebbles.

I'm terribly sorry to hear of your parakeet's xanthoma. I would strongly suggest you take her to a different avian vet who could AND would take on the task of removing it. What is the worst that could go wrong? Your baby will be anesthetized during the procedure, so please forgive me for being blunt now - the worst that could happen is that she may not survive the surgery.

My YN Amazon had recurring Xanthomas on her third eyelid, and she has undergone several surgeries to have them removed. Each surgery is a risk of course, but it was a risk I was willing to take. She's been Xanthoma free now for over 2 years (knock on wood).

We are all bird lovers here. I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place to ask for advice on HOW to put down your parakeet - other than by an avian vet. I do hope your 'vet friend' is an avian vet.

 

[Pebbles]

First, did I mention that my bird is a very small parakeet? I'm only considering this because the avian vet said that surgery was impossible, - the tumor is too big - and the bird has now started to peck at it. She seems ok today and maybe the wound would heal - but I assume she'll keep trying to remove it, and I don't want her to bleed to death. When she was swelling up (the tumor is very low on her abdomen,) I assumed it was an egg, as she's laid some before, and didn't realize a xanathoma was developing.
Anyway, thanks for your cautionary words, and concern re qualifications of the vet. I'm just wondering still if anyone has experienced euthanizing a bird and the mate's reaction, too, as I'm uneasy to show him his mate, post-death,- if bird-lovers here feel that this would cause him more sadness.
I'm relatively new to this, - these are my first birds, - have had the male for 6 years and the female for 3, but believe me, I LOVE these creatures with all my heart. I'm trying to let go at the "right time," so the bird doesn't suffer; she's so active still, and chirping and flying- so it's hard to say there's no quality of life. I'm just not sure what to do, as she has an open wound now, and the xanathoma is very big and probably not reversible so late....

 

[RavensGryf]

It sounds as if your mind is made up based on the fact that the tumor is now too large to operate on. The other option, if you are indeed still open to other options, is to have your bird be as comfortable as she can be in her last days, even if it means making special accommodations (platforms, lower food dishes, or whatever) for the cage for her to get around easier, and simply letting her pass with you at home. But, if you feel more comfortable with your first decision to not let her feel the pain of declining any further, then no one can tell you what to do, as this is an entirely personal decision.

Again... Sounds as if your other bird will outlive this one regardless. He will most likely be quieter and seem depressed for (depends on the individual) a day to a couple weeks, but if he is healthy himself, he will pick himself up and move on. He will start calling for another mate "next!" Lol, not being mean, but that's what birds do I've seen it first hand more than once.

 

[JerseyWendy]

As for the euthanasia itself: My avian vet uses gas. Depending on the size of the bird (small animal), the pet is either administered gas directly over the face, or placed into a container that allows gas to be administered to. It's 'usually' a very peaceful process.

You could take your deceased parakeet home and place her in her mate's cage, so he can 'say his goodbye' to her.

Good luck with your decision. I understand it's an extremely sensitive subject, and a heartbreaking one as well.

 

[Flboy]

Pebbles, I have nothing to offer than support, I understand your Delma , it is so hard!