Sad News :-(

[Courtzrocks]

It's not a trade off, really. Like your friend said, you were planning on keeping both before this happened. Cozi will soon fit into a nice home, he's still young. Maybe you could let him have sleep overs at different people's houses like you friends so he is used to being with different people? You are doing the right thing, keeping him would make everything worse and you dying from him wouldn't help anyone. Maybe whoever gets him should keep some of his favourite toys so it makes the transition easier and keep you updated on him until you are comfortable with him being gone. I'm sure your new ekkie wouldnt mind all the attention it will get either...just don't compare them. You're doing the right thing, hang in there.

[Sprecker]

Wow that would tear me to peices. I give you my deepest concern and I hope you get better. I can't imagine having to rehome any of my Fids let alone my baby CAG Jordy.
Just one question, do you know for 100% thatit Cozi causing all this and not a mould outbreak in the walls or insullation? Bacause maybe you will find out that it isn't Cozi and you may be able to get him back (doubtful I know but stranger things have happened). Maybe you can see if a friend can take him in for a month or two to see if it really is him that is causing the allergies and not something else. Maybe you can still visit him even though he will be living with someone else.
Either way, I feel your pain and wish you the best. Life can be some crule sometimes but as they say, "When one door closes, another window opens."

[catschair]

I am so sorry for your trouble, but PLEASE take care of yourself. I have a friend who became allergic to his conure. They agreed to rehome him, with great sadness, but my friend ended up in the hospital for on a ventilator for weeks because they did not find out until late in the game. I know it is devastating, but take care of your health, even if it means finding someone to foster Cozi, while you are finding him a forever home. Be strong!

[Lucky Feathers]

There is no possible way to know exactly 100% sure if it is infact the dander of Cozi - nothing is ever 100% if you know what I mean. However, I have lived here for 4 years in the same complex and same exact apartment and have never gotten ill like this. I don't normally get sick or have awful allergy reactions because I take care of my allergies, so in the 4 years I really haven't been sick. I have had Cozi with me for a month or more (can't remember exactly) and this illness is very new and basically the symptoms came on all of a sudden.

We are almost positive that it is because of the dust and dander coming from Cozi - I cleaned his cage today and you should have seen the amount of dust that came from there. He is also loosing alot of the small feathers, I am guessing he going through a small molt or something as they are everywhere - anyway I know that isn't helping at keeping the dust down.

[Tobysmom]

im so sorry to hear this ....i know you love cozi but your health comes first....and it is not a trade off either.....you got to do whats best for your health and im sure you will find someone for cozi that will ease your mind...

[Timnehmommi]

I understand how difficult this must be for you. We will keep you in our thoughts. Please keep us updated.

[lisark]

I feel really bad for you and I sure hope you can get your allergies under control.

I do suggest something, though, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I think you should get your health stabilized prior to welcoming the Ekkie to your home. Give it a month or so, get things under control, before she comes. That way you can find out if indeed it was Cozie or not. What if you are just generally allergic to birds, you give up Cozie, then get the Ekkie, your symptoms stay the same, and then you have to give up the Ekkie too? At least if you get yourself healthy first, then get the Ekkie, you will know in the first few days if you are having a reaction to the Ekkie, also, and you can return her if need be.

Now that you know you have such severe allergies I think that it's only fair (to yourself and to any potential pets you might get) that you think of their welfare as much as your own. Take precautions that will benefit not only you but the pet.

[becca623]

First of all, I am terribly sorry. Your situation is a difficult and painful one. Do your symptoms improve when you are away from Cozi? For instance if you leave the house for several hours at a time, do you find you are better able to breathe? I've never really had allergy problems but was very, very ill several years ago. I was on a ventilator for several weeks. Anyway, it severely weakened my lungs. I didn't know this until after I brought home a moluccan cockatoo. It took a year for us to figure out what was causing my health problems. By then, I had adopted a second moluccan in need of a home. I ended up having to give them to my mother. It broke my heart. I notice now that whenever I am near greys, toos, or tiels I become very sick. Even if I handle another bird that is housed with any of the above, I still have a bad reaction. I am fortunate to be able to have other types of parrots. I have to mist my birds often and wear masks when I clean cages. Air purifiers actually make it worse for me. Go figure. I agree with lisark that you should probably give yourself time to recover, to be sure that it was your grey, and that you are not allergic to eclectus before you bring your baby home. Eclectus are wonderful birds. I have a male that is like a child to me. I couldn't imagine rehoming him for anything. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck.

[kittykittykitty]

I am so sorry!!! Allergies can be the pits! I've been there, done that. I really want to rescue you AND Cozi. I'm in So. California but if no one closer can help, I will. (I'm an RN also.)
Precious, my CAG, and kittykittykitty

[Amie]

I'm so sorry. A friend of mine went through this years ago, and it was very hard on her. I can only imagine what you're going through. Sendign good vibes.

Do you have any bird loving friends who could take Cozi? That way, you can still be close and you will probably feel better?

I do have allergies (although nowhere near as severe) and my ekkie has never stirred them. I hope the same goes for you!