Does anyone know know anything about Sudden Death (very sudden) in Parrots?????

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 9:00am

Here's what happened. Yesterday my Blue-Fronted Amazon was absolutely fine. I gave him a new toy and everything. Today we woke up to let him out in the morning and he was fine. He was on his cage, when he suddenly yelped and died.

Hes 19 or so; we got him second hand and have had him for two years. We get the impression his previous owner mistreated him in the last two years of having him. By the time we got him, his feet were spindly almost like a cockatiel. We fed him and he came to grow much heathier, and by about a month he was skinny, but his feet were strong and heavy.

I'm assuming his death was a heart attack, or stroke, due to his age and poor nourishment before our care. I'm VERY worried though. I have two other Amazons in a cage on the other side of the room, and my parents refuse to move them out, denying that the cause of death might not be natural. He showed no sign of illness until he suddenly yelped and died.

i'm also afraid the toy i bought him had some effect, but i'm probably just trying to rationalize it. I had giving him a parrot pinata which he was pretty afraid of at first, but i set it in his cage hoping he'd get used to it, and actually like it. My friend had suggested it since her bird loves it. Is it possible that this toy caused the heart attack?

please help me out in any way possible, i'm trying to make sure my other birds aren't in danger

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 9:02am

sorry for the double post, i can't delete the second one

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 9:19am

hmm i just tried deleting the other one and it wouldn't work

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 9:32am

Here's a whole list of reasons why:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Birds-General-2349/Parakeet-sudden-death.htm

Google is your friend.

[Mistress Overdone]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 9:57am

Take the other two birds to the vet ASAP! It is very important that they get checked out.

The awful thing about birds is that they are programmed to hide their illnesses and symptoms until they are about ready to drop dead. In the wild, this serves them well because if a predator sees that they are weak, they will quickly become dinner. But it makes having them as a pet difficult because it's tough to diagnose when your bird needs medical attention.

It is possible that his past bad nutrition and low weight and abuse contributed to his untimely demise. But you still need to get your other birds looked at. Also, when you take them to the vet, take a list of everything that happened the day your bird died - were there any environmental stresses, like the sound of construction outside? Were you cooking anything or using any cleaning products? Any clue may be helpful to your vet.

At any rate, I'm sorry your bird died. Best of luck in trying to piece together what did him in, and best of health to your other two birds!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 10:20am

Mistress has given you very good advice...
Go to a Vet with some qualifications with working with birds...

Birds can die from so many different things, and they are particularly vulnerable to things like lead-based paint, toxic plants and a plethora of bird-related illnesses. Always ensure that anything that goes in or near a bird's cage is bird-friendly, as parrots will attempt to chew on basically anything, regardless of whether or not it will harm them. If the bird is allowed out of the cage for any period of time, then the room must also be made bird-friendly, including removing any dangerous plants (a google search will tell you if your plant will harm your bird) and covering all glass surfaces, including mirrors...

But of course, they can also die of completely natural causes too. And it sounds like your bird was very lucky to have an owner such as you, especially if it was abused in the past...

But seriously, get the other birds to a qualified vet, and have them examined, and tested for infection...

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:42am

Dramagirl-I'm so saddened to hear this news. I relate totally-I have a blue front-I was not the first owner. The first owner was abusive to my parrot. My parrot's thin but healthy, thank God, and he's at least 30 now.

I have to assume that your bird had preexisting conditions when you got him and that's what finally killed him. The new toy-no. Birds are usually frightened when you first put the new toy in.

Although everyone here has tried to give you the best advice, I'd go to a vet who specializes in tropical birds. i don't know where you live, but here in NY we have a huge animal hospital which is where I go.

Again, I'm so sorry-I hope your other two sweeties live a long and healthy life!

[ThatBroadwayBitch]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 1:59pm

Awww, poor thing. I hope the other birds are healthy.

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 3:11pm

thanks everyone, your support means a lot.

of course our house is very bird proof. We have had the other two birds over 27 years.

I googled everything, but nothing addresses sudden natural deaths like that, everything only addresses poisons or accidents, which aren't in the picture.

my parents are REFUSING to take the other two to a vet, which has me very upset. I convinced my dad to at least CALL a vet, which he's doing now.

i was HORRIFIED when i came home from church today and saw my one bird against the cage panting. when i went to check on him he stopped and calmed down, but both birds were looking out the window very scared. We remembered that our blue-fronted died right after the curtains were opened. I'm wondering if something outside is scaring them. Its possible that if he had heart trouble, it was triggered by something outside, but its a really bizarre situation.

my parents think i'm kinda rationalizing the one's death by attributing it to disease, but i'm seriously concerned that theres an underlying problem that will harm the remaining two.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 3:14pm

Your other two birds could possibly be suffering the loss of the third in their frightened behavior. I hope a vet can help with this mystery. Please keep us posted. I for one, am very interested.

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 3:46pm

and to Jane2, i wish all the best for your blue fronted! i'm not suggesting his poor previous owner was the cause of his death. We did call the vet, and he said that although nurtition issues might have been involved, the sudden death suggests a blood vessel or heart problem, which can sometimes happen. I wouldn't worry about it, as long as, as the vet said, your bird is well cared for in your hands

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 3:54pm

and we did call the vet.

he started by asking if the birds were exposed to outside ones, and we told him they weren't.

he also asked if our bird, Duke, had any symptoms like labored breathing, and he really didn't at all. Basically my mom had him out, was holding him, put him down to go clean the other birds' cage and he called to her and then his call became shrill and he died instantly.

The vet said that this indicates a natural death, as opposed to illness, since illness, although fast would be gradual.

he said that if the bird was misfed it might've taken a while to show, but we've had him three years, and the vet said as long as he was eating well with us and accustomed to our house, it wasn't the problem

they said they could perform an autopsy on him to check for dietary issues, but my family and i decided it wasn't worth it, as long as there was no threat to the other birds, its better (and more respectful)to not do that.

Duke also had some wing problems we never really looked in to. When we got him, the old owner said he was clipped and his feathers never grew back, which isn't correct. We always speculated he had a broken wing, since he had wing feathers and never flew. The vet said he might've been hurt when he was young but that it wasn't the cause of death.

to any bird owners, the vet said that many people think you're supposed to take the birds to the vet anually, like dogs and cats, but he said that a proper diet is all that needed, and that its healthiest to avoid vet visits.

my other birds seem sad since i think they know Duke isn't with us anymore. My one, Budd flew over to Duke's cage and was looking around for him. My second, kelly is here with me, she and I are SO close.

Thanks again for the support, it helped just getting the issue out here for other opinions

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:00pm

Dramagirl, first of all, thanks for you info.

second of all, my heart just broke when I read what happened in Duke's last moments. And then it broke again when I read about the other two looking for him. I can't tell you how much I relate and how sorry I am.

It's going to happen to me too, with Robbie Sue. I've had him almost 30 years, and he hasn't been sick at all other than a couple of mild colds, which I treated myself.

He's only been to the vet once in his life, and that's because I saw a huge reddish black growth jutting out under his beak. It looked like cancer to me. That's why I ran to the hospital. It turned out to be a bruise. Whew!

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:33pm

i really do appreciate your support. I know you understand that parrots come to be part of the family. theyre amazing pets to have.

Duke was closest to my Mom; he was actually very mean to me since another one of our birds, Kelly is overprotective of me and Duke and Kelly weren't able to be together. Even though he didn't like me, i worked with him a lot, and he was very very affectionate to everyone else in my family. Our third parrot Budd was the only bird my parents bought on their own, yet Budd is the least tame of them all. He can be held by about anyone, but hes skittish and refuses to let anyone pet him. Kelly is very mean to everyone but me, and Duke used to be very nice to everyone but me.

theyre interesting animals, they all have such personalities.

All the best for Robby Sue; So lucky to have found a caring owner. You've every reason to expect many more great years.

[The Boy From Ohio]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:33pm

Sorry for your loss!

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:36pm

and thats great about you having Robbie Sue over 30 years!! such a companion.

My family has had Budd for about 28 now, and Kelly was adopted within a year of getting Budd. she's had over FIVE owners before us!!! Budd and Kelly are very close, they've been together since Budd came home, since my parents would babysit Kelly for extended times while her previous owner was away. They share a cage and everything, and i'm only 17 so theyve been together for my whole life.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:37pm

Dramagirl-one more thing-I had to chuckle at your last post. You know parrots bond with one person, and are jealous and mean to everyone else! Robbie hates it when I talk to another person, gets mad, and bites me! Even when I'm on the phone!

thanks so much for your support.

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:37pm

The Boy from Ohio, thank you very much. We're alright, its sad though.

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:39pm

HAHA they're SO jealous. Kelly is insane. shes screaming right now since i put her away. She even learned how to cry if i put her down.

its soo loveable. Does Robbie let you pet him?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:51pm

dramagirl, so sorry for your loss!

I just wanted to chime in - I was personal assistant to someone who had two parrots, an African Grey and an Eclectis. The Eclectis mirrored her owner's personality - she was crazy, literally pulled out all her feathers - and when let out of her cage, would attack anyone in the apartment. The African Grey was SO bright, had a fabulous sense of humor, and as much as he loved his owner, also loved me from the moment we met. Apparently they will bond with one or two people, but that's it. The Eclectis never bonded with anyone though.

I always love reading Jane's stories about Robbie Sue and seeing pics. I would never be able to handle the responsibility of a parrot, but having had such a wonderful friendship with one in the past, I definitely have a soft spot for parrots now.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:03pm

Dramagirl-he lets me pet him if HE'S in the mood. And when he is, he can't get enough petting and kissing!

Rath, thanks for saying that! I'm glad you get to enjoy the African grey also-that's one bird I wish I had, but I'm hesitant to get another parrot while I still have Robbie Sue.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:09pm

This thread makes me miss my birds...I bred parrots from age 6, but I had to sell them all when I moved overseas...

I'm really sorry for your loss, I can definitely sympathise. I've shed more than a few tears over the loss of particularly special birds...

It sounds like your birds have a wonderful owner, and that they are really well looked-after. I'm so sorry for your loss, but enjoy your other birds. They sound wonderful!!

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:13pm

Rathnait62, thats so interesting! I've heard African Grays are very smart birds. parrots do bond with only certain people. Like i said, Duke was nice to everyone but loved my mom, Kelly only bonds with me, but Budd hasn't bonded really with anyone. He used to be bonded to my mom, but she was going to have my brother and worried that Budd would feel lonely, so they took Kelly, and from that point on Budd lost much of his kindness (lol Kelly is pretty nasty actually, but she and I are best friends)

thanks to everyone for making me smile =)

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:14pm

and thanks to paradox! thats so awesome that you bred birds, i'm sorry you had to give them up

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:31pm

I never knew it either, drama, but my boss told me. She knew the bird liked me from my first day - I was working at the dining room table and he kept coming and trying to steal the pen in my hand in order to get my attention.