Sudden Death of Cockatiel

[Milletman]

I have two cockatiels, Buddy and Baby Tiel. Both seemed fine, but I went away on vacation this past weekend and had my regular pet sitter take care of them. When I got home, both seemed normal.

This morning both birds seemed okay at first, but Buddy seem tired and extended his wings open a little as if he was hot. I went downstairs and made an appointment with the vet for a check up, and when I returned about 10 minutes later, I found him dead on the floor of the cage! I am devastated since I've had him for five years since he was a baby.

I noticed the pet sitter had added water bowls to the cage because she thought they might like extra water. She put them right under the perches, so they ended up more as toilet bowls than water dishes. My male bird Buddy loved to drink lots of water, and I am afraid he may have drank from them instead of the protected water disk I normally provide. I don't know if this could have made him sick or not, but it seems like one possibility since he was so healthy right before my trip. Do you think this could have caused his death?

I am going to take his little body to the vet tomorrow for her inspection and get a full physical on my remaining female bird, Baby Tiel (who is six years old). She has been screaming all morning and seems as upset as I am. I scrubbed the entire cage down and replaced all of the perches to help kill any lingering germs. What a horrible day this has been!!!!!

[mobetta]

Im so sorry for your loss. Fly free little one.

[Astrid660]

hopefully the vet will be able to figure out what happened. I'm so sorry for your loss, I can only imagine how you must be feeling... :(

[Ashling]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know exactly how you feel and can empathize. I'm sure you and Baby Tiel can give each other comfort in this hard time.

[habs71]

I empathize with you for your loss. The necropsy should be able answer your
questions. Hopefully Baby will get a clean bill of health.

Skip

[LovelySydney]

Im so sorry to hear of your loss, a lot of us on the board have been through what you are now going through. I hope the vet can tell you something, Im not sure if contaminated water can do enough damage to kill that quickly. keep s posted, I know this is a difficult time.

[Milletman]

Thank you everyone for your kind comments. Today is very difficult for both me and Baby Tiel.

DSCF0004.JPG

In memorium, Buddy 2004-2009

[hollyhawkz]

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope the vet may be able to shed some light on this sudden tragedy.

[clarify]

Originally Posted by Milletman

Thank you everyone for your kind comments. Today is very difficult for both me and Baby Tiel.

Attachment 36130

In memorium, Buddy 2004-2009

You need to not have that bird sitter go near your birds ever again and you need to start shopping for a new tiel to replace the dead one.

[Milletman]

Originally Posted by clarify

You need to not have that bird sitter go near your birds ever again and you need to start shopping for a new tiel to replace the dead one.

I'm afraid that no bird will ever replace my Buddy. I loved him very much and would never consider "replacing the dead one and simply shop for a new tiel." My bird was a member of my family and is not an object that can be replaced. Your response, while perhaps not intended to be taken this way, seems highly offensive to me and is not appreciated on one of the worst days of my life. Thank you.