What to do

[Lynjupiter]

What to do. This is the part I hate the most. The time when I have to make choices on what to do. Here is the dish. We have a female tiel who is sweet but in the last stages of kidney failure, she is a chronic egg layer who laid a soft shelled egg 2 days ago. The vet saw her today and prescribed liquid calcium. If she does not pass the egg by Friday she has to have the egg extracted and get a lupron shot. She needs the lupron anyways. Now the choice. We are running a rescue and take in some very seriously ill birds. Do we spend the money on a bird who is dying to have the egg extracted and a lupron shot? Or save the money for a bird who vet treatment makes a difference to and put her to sleep.
Of course my rescue partner boughs out of the whole thing and leaves me to make the choice. My brain screams at me to save the money for a bird who's life I can save. My heart screams at me to treat her, keep her comfortable and let what happens happen. Though if the time came when I thought she was suffering I would put her down. She was so neglected and I would like for her to stick around a bit more and enjoy a good life. A life where she dies feeling secure and loved.
She is not suffering right now. She eats well, enjoys the time out of her cage and her biggest problem is the egg laying. She came with a boyfriend and I refuse to separate them. They really love each other.
Lynda

[Archive]

Lynda, i can't bring myself to answer your dilemma. I just wanted to say I'm sorry that you have to be put in this situation to choose. *hugs* Whatever decision you make should never be something to argue or flame about....it should be respected.

good luck.

[JP]

miracles happen too. You are in a tuff spot thats for sure. As for myself I would have to break it down to deal with what is right in front of me. The tiel. That other sick bird may or may not come any time soon. This probably wasn't any help.

[gayla]

I'm sure no matter what you decide, she will know she is loved. Follow your gut instinct. You'll make the right choice.:hugs:

[Tiki]

Lynda, I'm like you in that my heart rules my head. I don't envy you that dilemma and I would be happy to chip in for vet bills and even have a fundraiser for your rescue. I trust you will make the best decision here.

[Vega]

As for myself I would have to break it down to deal with what is right in front of me. The tiel. That other sick bird may or may not come any time soon.

I agree, deal with the situation in front of you at the moment.

[Samm]

Lynda:

Its a tough call to make, I wish I could give you an answer.

But whatever you decide will be for the best for the tiel, and no one here would ever flame you or call you on it. I'm glad you came here to share it with us.

[Archive]

That is a hard decision. I know i have no answers...do what you feel is right :hugs:

[Lynjupiter]

The problem is I have three very neglected tiels I am waiting to be released from Animal Control. One badly plucked. They won't release the animals over to another rescue for a certain period of time. I expect them this Saturday.
Every neglected bird we have here has needed some kind of vet treatment or another. I know these birds will need treatment also. Another thing the vet did today was clean out the clogged nostrils of a new resident tiel and flush them. I know he cringes when I call because he ends up seeing half a dozen birds each time. Three weeks ago I had him treating four wild adult quakers with the runs that came in from a closed down wild bird rescue, he was in twice just for them. That was a nightmare in it's self. Poop everywhere! Spring is coming, with spring comes wild baby quakers with puncture wounds.
The situation in front of me is that every week I get in birds who need vet treatment. To spend money on one I can't save may mean down the road that one I could have saved will not get the treatment it needs. The more funds we have the more birds we treat. They are endless. So even if someone donated 500 right now I would still be faced with this problem.
I hate this. I am going to be sleepless on this dilemma. I just talked to two of my trusted bird advisors for the rescue and they are on either side. One says do what you can for her, the other argues to put her down.
My biggest problem is I love Sylvie cockatiel. It is going to break my heart to see her go. :gloomy: I love them all and that is a bad thing in rescue. It makes you do things that common sense says you should not do.
Lynda

I agree, deal with the situation in front of you at the moment.

[Amanda]

Gee Lynda, I don't envy your position at all. I want to say do what you can for her, since she's not yet suffering. But only you know your situation fully......

I had to make this same decision with my 17 yr old Siamese last year. She may have had a few months left, but she was beginning to suffer, and while medication may have made her a little more comfortable, I just felt I needed to let her go. Poor girl, I so wish I could have extended her life a few more years. I'm ok with the decision I made though.

[Archive]

You will do what you think is best and I believe we are all saying that we trust your judgment to do what is right -- whatever that might be. None of us envy your dilemma but admire all your hard work and dedication to the rescued birds.

IMO if it were me, I would try and save little Sylvie. She has a mate that will grieve over her death and if there is a way to delay that suffering -- even if for a little while -- I think it worthwhile. That may not be a very "logical" decision, but sometimes those that come from the heart are the only ones we can live with. Sincere good luck with whatever decision you make. Hugs!!

[Doyle'sMommy]

Oh wow, I don't know how you do it. I am in tears over your dilemma. I will say a prayer for you and sweet Sylvie. I don't know what to tell you, even though you want to I know you can't save them all. If it was me I know I couldn't ignore Sylvie, I would have to help her. I know it isn't a very logical decision but it would be the only one I could live with. I do not envy your situation at all and I don't think anyone could ever judge you or think bad of you if they knew how much good you do. We all know how much you love all those birdies. (((HUGS)))

[Lisa B]

I had this once with a tiel. Before there were real avian vets, it was suggested that a little caster oil on her butt, a bit in her beak, and kept warm, she would pass it. ....................She did.

Recheck with your vet, and see if indeed it was caster oil that can be given. old time breeders might be able to tell you better.....

Isnt caster oil used in alot of old wives tail stuff? didnt moms make kids take it for some reason?

My memory is fading. I know it was clear and oily. this was about 20 years ago......

[Archive]

miracles happen too. You are in a tuff spot thats for sure. As for myself I would have to break it down to deal with what is right in front of me. The tiel. That other sick bird may or may not come any time soon. This probably wasn't any help.


Lynda,

I feel for you. You have been put in a very tough situation. Jack has a terrible kidney problem. When we first got him (almost 2 years ago) our avian vet didn't expect him to live another day. I agree with JP. Miracles do happen. I wouldn't give up hope so soon. We are constantly on a roller coaster with Jack, but with a very strict diet and medicine, he can still live a quality life.

Good luck. I will pray that God guides you in the right direction for not only you and your decision, but ultimately what is the best for your tiel.:angel:

[Lisa B]

then it is castor oil. I know the vet said it was awful tastin, and that it would make her poo alot.

[Archive]

I don't envy your position at all. I think I would also try to save this little baby. The castor oil sounds like something you should try...it couldn't hurt. Sending prayers for you and the little tiel.

[Tiki]

Lynda, remember 2 years agothe lady with the sick baby cockatiel? You directed her to a breeder named Joe? Do you think he could help Sylvie with the egg at least?

[Archive]

Lynda, I wish there were something I could think of to say that would help you. There's a good reason why the burnout rate is so high in rescue work. One thing you gotta know though, is that we're with you here, and respect you and thank you so much for the work that you do.

[Tiki]

Lynda, how about an update? We are getting worried about you and Sylvie!

[Archive]

What to do. This is the part I hate the most. The time when I have to make choices on what to do. Here is the dish. We have a female tiel who is sweet but in the last stages of kidney failure, she is a chronic egg layer who laid a soft shelled egg 2 days ago. The vet saw her today and prescribed liquid calcium. If she does not pass the egg by Friday she has to have the egg extracted and get a lupron shot. She needs the lupron anyways. Now the choice. We are running a rescue and take in some very seriously ill birds. Do we spend the money on a bird who is dying to have the egg extracted and a lupron shot? Or save the money for a bird who vet treatment makes a difference to and put her to sleep.
Of course my rescue partner boughs out of the whole thing and leaves me to make the choice. My brain screams at me to save the money for a bird who's life I can save. My heart screams at me to treat her, keep her comfortable and let what happens happen. Though if the time came when I thought she was suffering I would put her down. She was so neglected and I would like for her to stick around a bit more and enjoy a good life. A life where she dies feeling secure and loved.
She is not suffering right now. She eats well, enjoys the time out of her cage and her biggest problem is the egg laying. She came with a boyfriend and I refuse to separate them. They really love each other.
Lynda

Lynda...... Forgive me for not chiming in on this before but I was not fully aware of your problem till very recently. I did skim over it the other night but was in such a hurry to take care of some important personal business here, that I forgot to get back with my opinion.

I would like to know how the kidney trouble is manifesting itself, showing itself on a daily basis? Is the bird flighted? Is it outside getting proper sunshine and etc...... Just initial questions.

[Archive]

Praying for you. :pray:

[Lynjupiter]

Hi ,
Thanks for answering me. Yes it started because to us she looked sick, off somehow. Her poops are a small amount of fecal matter in a puddle of urine (polyuric). Along with that I called the vet because she was puffed up a bit, not sleeping on both feet, not looking totally steady on the perch. This is all on a daily basis. Her urine output is incredible. She had a chem panel done, we checked for diabetes ( which was mine and the vet's first guess) She was flighted until the other day. I am going on a trip and can't leave my volunteers with flighted birds. Sunshine she gets at least once a week. I wish it could be daily but that is impossible with not enough volunteers. I concentrate on feeding, cleaning and socalizing.
Food is safflower seed-pellet diet ( we wean them off sunflower seeds and peanuts first, then concentrate on pellets once the bird is healthy) fresh greens, veggies, fruits, pasta and a dose of red palm oil
You have to remember we are not a long term sancutuary. We take only the birds in bad situations , rehabilitate them to pet birds with love, vet care and daily out of cage time and then get them out a new home. A lot of our birds have come out of the wild and have to be clipped to get them tame again. We plan on having OTT lights someday but for now it is not possible. The way I see it most of these birds would have been dead so if I can't get them daily sun they will survive until i get them to a new home.
So far she has not passed another egg nor do I see any signs of egg binding.
She has laid three eggs. Two normal and one softshelled.
Lynda


Lynda...... Forgive me for not chiming in on this before but I was not fully aware of your problem till very recently. I did skim over it the other night but was in such a hurry to take care of some important personal business here, that I forgot to get back with my opinion.

I would like to know how the kidney trouble is manifesting itself, showing itself on a daily basis? Is the bird flighted? Is it outside getting proper sunshine and etc...... Just initial questions.

[Lynjupiter]

Update: Thanks everyone for your advice and words.
Sylvie has yet to pass another egg but I am checking daily and see no signs of egg binding. She is sitting on fake eggs. I called the vet yesterday worried he would take off and leave me with no help this weekend and he promised he would stay on call for me just in case. I talked to my board members and they all pretty much said it was totally up to me since I do pretty much all the care.

People kept telling me about rescue burnout and I would laugh. Not me, I bite on to things like a pitbull and I don't let go. I have had the same job 17 years as a caregiver and never burned out. But making choices like this I can see how you burn out. I can't see how I am going to be able to make that choice when it comes to it. I thought it would be easier in the rescue because they aren't my birds. But it turns out every bird is mine in my heart. I love them each and all so much it hurts.
Lynda

[Tiki]

Lynda, I am glad Sylvie is hanging in there. I wish tiels weren't so keen to lay eggs.

I can relate to how you get attached to rescue birds like your own, they just worm their way into our hearts. I got attached to birds I met at my friends houses too, like your Zorro! What a sweetie!