My Babies Died Suddenly PLEASE BEWARE......

[Katisoo]

Everybody,
I have to let you know of a tragic situation that could help you and keep your birds safe.
I had 2 beautiful loving healthy Cockatiels (vetted) that died suddenly last Sat. Cowboy was 6 and Ruby was 5. I have lived in my new apartment for 6 months and everyone was fine. I had plants out on my porch that I sprayed (all doors and windows closed) with a pesticide called UltraFine Pesticidal Oil. The plants never came in the house and neither did the pesticide. Nothing else unusual went on during that day. I never did anything else differently than normal except spray that. Hours later both of the birds began breathing heavy and then Cowboy threw up. They died at the emergency clinic where the Avian vet said it looked like the lungs had been damaged. When I read the warning lables again on the pesticide it read "caution if injested may cause aspiration pneumonia. If inhaled may cause severe lung damage."
The company "SunSpray" Swears it was not there product since t was used outside yet they have picked up part of the product to conduct extensive studies.
I am lost without These Angels in my life and all I can do is warn everybody that this may be a danger to your pets. I did everything I was supposed to do with the product, I used it outside far enough away from the birds but it still took them away from me. Please be aware of the product and its dangers.

[kathyellen]

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for the warning. I recentely discovered ants coming in through the front window and was going to spray on the outside of the house....now I don't think so. :oops:
I threw away all my teflon pans on Sunday! Thank you for sharing your loss with us, it may very well save the lives of other fids.
take care, kathy

[Lynjupiter]

I am so sorry! What a tragedy.
Is it possible that the product got on your clothes or shoes and you brought it inside?
There has been a list of things lately that have been causing problems in birds. Recently I have heard about birds dying of fumes from Old Engish furniture polish and also on the foil bags you put in the oven. They even have a new kind of foil out that has teflon in it. My hubby bought it and brought it home without even looking at it. I of course gave it away immediatley.
Lynda

[Tiki]

Katisoo, what a tragic heartbreaking thing to happen. I am sorry you lost your little Fids. I know I have been cautious about garden pest sprays, I haven't even sprayed the hibiscus under the birds window in 2 years of fear it will get into their room. I use ant baits, not sprays and in the summer we get heaps of them.

I think Lynda is right that the product must have gotten onto your clothes or shoes. Or since you live in an apartment, maybe even a neighbor did something fumy that could have gotten into your apartment or they cooked with teflon. I think it is possible if you have central airconditiong-it could get through the ducts.

I am worried about the next door neighbor's construction. They subdivided the property, moved one house to the far side of us and are building a new house right next to us. Our lot is fairly large so the bird's room is a fair ways from the boundary but I am worried that products they use could drift over to our house and get in the screened windows. Has anyone heard of anything like this happening?

[The Outlaw]

Though it could have been a number of toxins in your home that you may not be aware of, it could also be from something in an adjoining apartment. That's one of the problems when folks in apartments decide to acquire birds. A neighbor may be using teflon (very likely, actually), insecticides or even some hobby chemicals. New carpet will need days or even weeks to out gas.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

THE OUTLAW

[Vankarhi]

This is scary. i don't use sprays at all. Have not since I was about 18 years old, not just for birds/fish/dogs/cats etc but just for general health. We use fly swatters for flys and bugs and try not to fumigate if possible, when I do I use a guy called natra-spray. We are renovating very slowly our house and we will be pulling up the carpets and laying wood laminate and putting a new kitchen and built in cupboards. I hope my birds will be ok. My Galah has survived previous renovations and pest exterminations and I have had her 14 years now and I never knew about Teflon before (and I just bought a brand new frypan about 3 months ago). I use it every night to cook but it is always on low. I will probably give it to my daughter (my son has one) and buy myself a stainless steel one now. Having a bird is pretty scary in theses "modern" times.

[Feather Heaven]

Aw Sweetie - I am so sorry. I will absolutely be mindful about pesticides. I don't trust them one iota.

Just a simple recommendation - soap and water solutions work wonders with bug problems. It won't hurt the birds even if sprayed from a pump as long as you take care with the prox to the fids.

Take care all,

[Katisoo]

I am so thankful for the sympathies from everyone. I had Cowboy cremated and put in a beautiful urn. we buried Ruby in a beautiful little casket.
My birthday was 1 week after I lost the birds to this tragedy and my boyfriend surprised me with a gift. It was a framed and matted picture of me kissing Cowboy that he had taken one morning. I had been asleep and Cowboy flew onto my bed to wake me like he always did.
The only color in the picture was Cowboys face. I hope it shows up so you can see it. The inscription says "Katie and Cowboy" underneath it has one of his feathers in the frame. I still look at it and cry. Will I ever be able to stop missing him? I feel so hopeless without him. Cherish every minute you have with them.

PS if you can see the picture Look at the shadow behind Cowboy. Doesn't it look like his spirit reflecting off of the wall. That happened on its own we can't explain it.

[GorgeouslyJealous]

That is a beautiful picture. You have a lovely boyfriend.

[Lynjupiter]

That is a beautiful picture. It brought tears to my eyes.

The hurt will lessen with time but it will never go away. There will still be times years later that you will think on Cowboy and tears will come to your eyes. Getting another bird eventually will help with the pain.

So sorry . I know what you are feeling, I think most of us here do.
Hugs,
Lynda