Pineapple conure passed away during nail trimming

[Mickyduk]

Hi all,
I am absolutely devastated. My girlfriend & her daughter was successful 2 times before. His nails 100% needed to be trimmed as they would hurt or draw blood if he stood on bare skin. I wasn't there to help as was working. We had Piki for 2 years, he was a unique bird. So loving & I had such a strong bond with him. It's been a struggle to get over this.
Apparently they put a thin tea towel over his head to calm him, gave him treats and stroked him while they clipped his nails. Never hurt him in any way, never drew blood. My girlfriend struggled with his last toe for 30 seconds (they didn't talk to him) went to do the next leg but no movement. He sadly passed.
I can't get my head around this how he died. Was my girlfriend too rough, Did he suffocate being too long under the towel or did he get so worked up he died of shock. Has anyone had an experience like this. He was so loved.
It's so sad he had to pass away this way. If he passed naturally I could accept his death a bit better but I feel I can't get over it.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm so sorry! I feel your pain so much. This happened to me years ago when I brought my beloved budgie Buddy to have his beak trimmed. He had it done many times but this time he went limp mid procedure and died. I was devastated! I started screaming "You killed my bird"! and the whole bird store cleared out. I was inconsolable and didn't get another bird for two years.
Their little hearts can just give out from the stress apparently. Buddy was a very tame budgie but even tame birds hate being restrained like that.
The other possibility is that his chest was being held too tightly and he couldn't breathe. That's why experts always hold birds from their back and the head between the fingers with breast area as open as possible to allow their chest to expand. I don't think a tea towel itself could block enough air to suffocate a bird.
Did they give him treats while he was restrained? If so he could have choked. A bird being held like this shouldn't be fed anything because can't properly eat.
It's tragic, I know, but don't overthink it now because there's nothing to gain from it. Try not to blame your girlfriend and her daughter- I'm sure they feel bad enough already. In the future, and to others- always bring your bird to a vet to have these things done if you can so they can try to prevent it, but even then, birds can still die from the stress. I would rather it not occur in my hands or my husband's. Every time I bring my birds to a vet I'm aware there's a small chance of sudden death but it's a risk I need to take to make sure my birds are healthy and safe from their toenails getting snagged in fabrics and their beaks don't get too overgrown.

 

[TiredOldMan]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[Shoegoo]

Hi all,
I am absolutely devastated. My girlfriend & her daughter was successful 2 times before. His nails 100% needed to be trimmed as they would hurt or draw blood if he stood on bare skin. I wasn't there to help as was working. We had Piki for 2 years, he was a unique bird. So loving & I had such a strong bond with him. It's been a struggle to get over this.
...............................

So sad. We try so hard to help our pets and its not enough sometimes. I hope you get over the loss and find another bird.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

This is tragic. I put off nail trims as long as possible because it is so stressful for my bird and me.

I go to the avian vet to have his nails done. A vet tech used to do his nails and she did a good job with a strong, squirming macaw. Sadly, she had to leave the practice because of a sick family member in another part of the country. The next time I took the bird in, the vet herself was doing nail and beak trims. I asked her if she was going to have someone else do them going forward and she was adamant that only she would be doing them. I suspect she had another vet tech do nails and something bad happened. I will never know, but I got a weird feeling when she answered my question, so…. Why else would a high value vet spend her time doing a low value ($22) job?

I wish I could trim my macaw’s nails myself. He is an older parrot in his 50s and I worry about him having a heart attack or something.

 

[LaManuka]

Hi all,
I am absolutely devastated. My girlfriend & her daughter was successful 2 times before. His nails 100% needed to be trimmed as they would hurt or draw blood if he stood on bare skin. I wasn't there to help as was working. We had Piki for 2 years, he was a unique bird. So loving & I had such a strong bond with him. It's been a struggle to get over this.
Apparently they put a thin tea towel over his head to calm him, gave him treats and stroked him while they clipped his nails. Never hurt him in any way, never drew blood. My girlfriend struggled with his last toe for 30 seconds (they didn't talk to him) went to do the next leg but no movement. He sadly passed.
I can't get my head around this how he died. Was my girlfriend too rough, Did he suffocate being too long under the towel or did he get so worked up he died of shock. Has anyone had an experience like this. He was so loved.
It's so sad he had to pass away this way. If he passed naturally I could accept his death a bit better but I feel I can't get over it.

Welcome to the forums, @Mickyduk, but I'm awfully sorry for the tragic circumstances. This kind of loss is very hard to cope with as you're experiencing, particularly as it involves those closest to you, so I hope you are able to find some comfort by being a part of our community, certainly being here has helped me deal with some devastating losses over time. I've also just moved your post to our "Bereavements" sub-forum, as this is a better spot for your tribute to Piki. Again, my deepest condolences go out to you, but I'm so glad you found us

 

[Mickyduk]

I'm so sorry! I feel your pain so much. This happened to me years ago when I brought my beloved budgie Buddy to have his beak trimmed. He had it done many times but this time he went limp mid procedure and died. I was devastated! I started screaming "You killed my bird"! and the whole bird store cleared out. I was inconsolable and didn't get another bird for two years.
Their little hearts can just give out from the stress apparently. Buddy was a very tame budgie but even tame birds hate being restrained like that.
The other possibility is that his chest was being held too tightly and he couldn't breathe. That's why experts always hold birds from their back and the head between the fingers with breast area as open as possible to allow their chest to expand. I don't think a tea towel itself could block enough air to suffocate a bird.
Did they give him treats while he was restrained? If so he could have choked. A bird being held like this shouldn't be fed anything because can't properly eat.
It's tragic, I know, but don't overthink it now because there's nothing to gain from it. Try not to blame your girlfriend and her daughter- I'm sure they feel bad enough already. In the future, and to others- always bring your bird to a vet to have these things done if you can so they can try to prevent it, but even then, birds can still die from the stress. I would rather it not occur in my hands or my husband's. Every time I bring my birds to a vet I'm aware there's a small chance of sudden death but it's a risk I need to take to make sure my birds are healthy and safe from their toenails getting snagged in fabrics and their beaks don't get too overgrown.

Thank you for sharing your personal experience over this. It has really helped me. I feel in future we will do our best & give our love to a new parrot. That's all we ever did for Piki. That's all you did for your Buddy to.

 

[Mickyduk]

This is tragic. I put off nail trims as long as possible because it is so stressful for my bird and me.

I go to the avian vet to have his nails done. A vet tech used to do his nails and she did a good job with a strong, squirming macaw. Sadly, she had to leave the practice because of a sick family member in another part of the country. The next time I took the bird in, the vet herself was doing nail and beak trims. I asked her if she was going to have someone else do them going forward and she was adamant that only she would be doing them. I suspect she had another vet tech do nails and something bad happened. I will never know, but I got a weird feeling when she answered my question, so…. Why else would a high value vet spend her time doing a low value ($22) job?

I wish I could trim my macaw’s nails myself. He is an older parrot in his 50s and I worry about him having a heart attack or something.

Nail trimming is such a delicate procedure. You just wouldn't think that procedure would be enough to make a parrot pass away in that way.
Vets or a parrot pet shop for help would be the best way in future.

 

[kme3388]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I myself struggle getting my conures to the vet in general regardless of the reason. My sun conure pants like a dog, and looks like he’s hyperventilating. I feel awful putting him in a carrier, and bringing him to scary places. He’s the most sensitive parrot I have. I worry about his well being when it comes to removing him from his environment. My largest parrot I trimmed his nails once. He didn’t come out of his cage for days. I felt awful although I know how to trim nails, and have been doing it for a long time. He now goes to a vet tech, and she did fine with him. He hates her, and not me so win/win. Parrots are such sensitive, and fragile creatures. I myself would have a vet evaluate a parrot, and see how they handle nail trims before taking that on myself. All parrots are different, and I’ve made mistakes myself. Thank you for sharing your story. It helps other parrot owners have a perspective that they may not of had. It could save another parrots life. I’m again sorry for how things ended. I can tell by your posts that your conure was very loved, and cared for.

 

[AprilRobin]

I am very sorry to read about your loss. We all do the best we can for our pets.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

OH NO! I'm so sorry that happened to all of you! **Hugs** Our birds could be hit by a truck and survive, yet others pass away for unknown reasons .

 

[wrench13]

Little avian hearts, beating many times faster then ours do, can suffer much easier then our tougher ones. Any tiny latent defect, not normally an issue, can be exacerbated during times of extreme stress and cause failure. This kind of death is not unknown in parrots. Totally unpredictable and not yours or anyones fault. Very sorry to read the news, my condolences.

 

[Mickyduk]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I myself struggle getting my conures to the vet in general regardless of the reason. My sun conure pants like a dog, and looks like he’s hyperventilating. I feel awful putting him in a carrier, and bringing him to scary places. He’s the most sensitive parrot I have. I worry about his well being when it comes to removing him from his environment. My largest parrot I trimmed his nails once. He didn’t come out of his cage for days. I felt awful although I know how to trim nails, and have been doing it for a long time. He now goes to a vet tech, and she did fine with him. He hates her, and not me so win/win. Parrots are such sensitive, and fragile creatures. I myself would have a vet evaluate a parrot, and see how they handle nail trims before taking that on myself. All parrots are different, and I’ve made mistakes myself. Thank you for sharing your story. It helps other parrot owners have a perspective that they may not of had. It could save another parrots life. I’m again sorry for how things ended. I can tell by your posts that your conure was very loved, and cared for.

Thank you for your comfort words.
Piki was very loved. The daughter even made an Instagram page for him. (pikiparrot)
He was such a unique special individual. Would bob up & down and get excited. Kisses noises, even stopping halfway on the arm to stop for a kiss, clucking noise on command. Greet you every time & move up & down his perch, At start would be scared going onto your bare arm because he thought it would hurt you. Had confidence going on your arm & on your shoulder, was potty trained, poop on command, loved going under the sofa & chew underneath which we had to block off. Would eat sometimes what we ate (looked up what he can't have), loved his fruit, especially apple. Loved his baths and hairdryer drying him off, cuddles. Had a few lovely sounds, duck noises, chirps & loud ones when you left the room. Would also have his own bed against the cage where he snuggled up against. Would misbehave going to bed then he would go sleep quiet as anything with blanket covering his cage. Even in mornings he would not make a sound when he woke up until you are awake. Even cheekily threw out his food pots on the floor in frustration. Loved going out in a special backpack the daughter took everywhere she went. Also could climb the stairs step by step. I've ran out of how special he was. I know if we decide to get another parrot I don't think it would come close but I'm sure would give us unconditional love.
My last days over weekend with him gives me some closure as I gave him 2 baths 1 each day because of the hot weather. Gave him lots of kisses, cuddles, played with him. I tried to give him as much time as I had a busy day, shopping, washing car. That's what is important to me, he was never neglected. Only time was when we had to go out but I gave him freedom to go on his perch. When we went work during the week, at home he was in cage until we came home from work. Didn't want him out the cage without our watch. He was so much loved & will always be missed.

 

[AprilRobin]

OH NO! I'm so sorry that happened to all of you! **Hugs** Our birds could be hit by a truck and survive, yet others pass away for unknown reasons .

This is a good way of describing it. There will always be someone - especially on the Internet - who knows what you "should have" done and will act like this could never happen to them. But it could happen to any of us.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

We see that Piki was a very special bird and gave you so much joy. Remember that you gave Piki an amazing life right up until the end, too. Some people are so affected by a loss like this that they vow never to get another bird, but that would be like saying I'd rather not love anyone and be alone than enjoy a loving relationship that will eventually end. They ALL eventually end- every single one of them- and the grief is an unfortunate part of being human.

Take your time, but you really should get another bird- giving another bird an amazing life would be the best way to honor Piki's memory.

There have been several tragic losses recently and each one has been heartbreaking. You are not alone. Just in the past two months, one young woman's 6 month old cockatoo, Grim, that she had proudly posted new photos of on PF just hours earlier, followed her out the door only to be snatched out of the sky by a hawk moments later. Another member's budgie, Crescent, got his head trapped between the cage bars and died from his injuries. A man watched Bingo, the Amazon parrot he loved for over 40 years, slowly succumb to cancer and die in his arms. One of my birds could be next so I cherish every day I have with them.