When to put down a bird?

Post by **finchmix22** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:25 am

Gary,
If she is trying to survive and struggle through the disability or condition, I would try to use paper towel on the bottom of the cage or a flat, small cookie sheet without the sides, to put food on top. There are some that go with toaster ovens without an edge and that would keep her from tipping over the food. For water, I'd put a hanging bottle close to the bottom, where she sits, so she can reach the water and the food right next to her other side. I agree with Cindy, that making a small, flat nest area/sleep area that is comfortable allows her some space of her own and a chance. However, if she seems to be too scared or does not try, you may need to be merciful. My vet told me, "When a pet stops eating, it is usually time to let go." That applies to most animals, as they have a survival instinct that is strong. Finches will be strong in their will to survive, but you have to figure all issues in this type case. Of course, in the wild, she'd have become prey. So, she is living longer with whatever you can do, than if she was outside as a wild finch. Keep us posted. I always hurt for animals and people in these situations, as they are never without pain.
Deborah

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:16 pm

My heart breaks for this sad situation you afe in, for both you and the bird. Never easy, I have been unable to euthanize one myself. I am much like Sally and will try everything under my powers to heal or at least make comfortable accomadations for the handicapped.
Sending prayers for a miraculous healing

ibon_337 · Post by **ibon_337** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:33 am

Sorry to hear that Gary. If you think and see that the condition is getting worsed then it is only right to put your bird to sleep. Of course we always hope for the best, these creatures are part of our family they are not just pets but sometimes we have to take some actions and decide to end their sufferings. Yes they might survive and get well, but how soon? If they can only speaks and tell us how tey feel and what their wishes are it will be easy. I might be cold but if you asked me I'll say put him to sleep now.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:03 pm

Well the penguin hen that gradually lost the use of her legs died a while back. I just could not bring myself to kill her.

But I ended up in the same situation with the gray zebra that was plucked to bleeding. Seems that once she started bleeding, she would constantly pick at her own wound (like a kid picking at his scab), so the wound never could heal and kept bleeding. This has been going on for 2 months. Some times she would be so listless that she could not get her head off the cage floor, I presume due to constant loss of blood. So...I decided that I had to end her missery.

I put her into a plastic bag, squeezed most of the air out so the co2 would not be diluted by the air in the bag, put tube from my co2 tank into the bag and filled the bag w co2. She was gone in a few seconds.
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Having grown up in a farming environment, my father would be shaking his head..."darn city kid."

Post by **Sally** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:13 pm

So sorry for your loss, Gary, but sometimes we have to be merciful. It is always hard for me to give up on them, but sometimes I wonder if I keep them going for them or for me.

annague · Post by **annague** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:26 pm

So sorry for your loss, Gary. I know what you mean about the city vs. the "farm" raised kid... my dad was raised on a farm and his stories about how they took care of some of the injured animals was horrifying to me (the city kid). Yet, they were not cruel to the animals that they had to euthanize (at all) just less conflicted about what they had to do.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:41 pm

Sally
The penguin hen was me.
I kept putting it off, cuz I did not want to kill her.
Eventually she got so bad she died on her own.
She should have been put down earlier, so she did not have to suffer so much.

Post by **finchmix22** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:09 pm

Gary
Every time in my life as a pet owner I struggled with when to let go of a pet, if they're quality of life is poor and worsening. The one time, I tried to save the pet and keep him alive as long as possible, he paid a price, which broke my heart. He suffered more because I did not have the guts to put him to sleep sooner and I will always regret that decision. Now, although, it is still sad and very difficult, I choose to have them put to sleep by a vet. I cannot do the deed myself, but I want to be with them when they go. There is not a right or wrong answer here. We all just do the best we can for our pets. So sorry for both losses.

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:27 am

So sorry Gary

I honestly have never had to do this myself, and wonder just how I will

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:11 am

So sorry for your loss. I admire your courage to do this. Although I have had to do this before with a few of my birds, I am not brave enough to do it myself. My husband does it for me.

He assures me it is swift as you described.....always a tough decision. Again... so sorry...

The canary man · Post by **The canary man** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:13 am

Hi my friend iam sorry about this sad situation.
Iam a canary breeder but does not mean that i did not experience this matter with two of my female canaries .

There is two reasons that i know of can causes the bird to become Paralysis and as mentioned above i have experienced it with only two of my female canaries :
1) Lack of calcium can cause a female canary or finch,etc.... to become paralysis especially during the breeding season .
2) Lack of vitamins and minerals can also cause paralysis, even if the bird receiving the best food, bird can have worms thats live in it digestive system feeding on all the food he/she receive.

What made me think that your finch could have internal worms is that you mentioned the swollen by her vent.

Iam sorry that i could not come up with other reasons to support your finch situation .
I remember when my female canary acted with this matter she become ok as soon as i provided her with Calcium supplement .

Good luck to you .
Dean K.
Web site.. http://WWW.CanarySience.com

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:29 am

So sorry Gary, thoughts are with you. It is difficult. I could not do it myself in one sitution. My daughter to it to her work/vet office and they did it for me. Sometimes it is the kindest thing you could do for them. She gave you such a gift with her presence, you repaided her by easing her suffering.

kenny66 · Post by **kenny66** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:23 am

the swolen cloaca is an indication of a toxic shock in many circumstances. It is caused by many things and sometimes is treatable and sometimes not. I am struggling with a gouldian baby at the moment who came out with 5 other siblings (all perfectly healthy) and on day 3 mum and dad stopped feeding him but not the others, He is on 2hr feeds with no begging response but at least gaining weight. I often wonder whether I m doing the right thing in intervening, but a life is a life. Many times my heart has been broken by me not being able to save every one, even after all the experience and effort I could bring to bear. I cant take your pain away, but at least I can share it. I hope tommorrow is brighter for you.

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