Ivory is gone

[biccio]

I am writing here, since it is the only place where I can be understood. Today is a sad day, tonight Ivory left us for a better place.

She had a lot of troubles, but I think not a painful life. Everything went south when she lost a foot about 6 months ago. Then she slowly and painfully recovered. The day the bandage came off with the leg completely healed, I was so happy.

Unfortunately she never learned to stand on that leg, considering that the other leg was not working well anymore too. Eventually, sitting on the belly all day long logorated her belly and vent to the point she could not stand it anymore. She was eating and looking fine, until she developed a strange lump that we were not able to figure out. yesterday night her vent probably stopped working. I found her with the body full of poop and losing feathers on her head. I was able to clean her up, but she clearly was in pain. I was hoping she could rest during the night and recover full functionality of the vent, but the night was fatal.

Now I have to find a little sister to Ebony, the other zebra finch i have. she was looking for Ivory today. How long should I/can I wait to get her another sister? I know she cannot stay alone..for today we left the radio on...we'll be back in few hours.

Thank to the support of this forum, we were able to give her some love for more months than expected after the accident. I will be always grateful to the people who helped here.

[Jen]

So sorry you lost Ivory. Her little life was such a struggle so I believe she is in a happier place now. Sending you a hug...

[finchmix22]

biccio
I am so sorry to hear you lost Ivory. Sounds like she had a blockage. At least, she is at peace. I would get another zebra and put her next to your other one, in a separate cage for a couple weeks, to make sure she is not sick and to let them get to know each other from a safe distance. Then, you can rearrange the cage with perches and food in new places before placing them both in the cage together. Watch for aggression because they may not get along, but hopefully they will become buddies. Again, RIP Ivory. I feel your heartache, as I've lost many finches over the years and each one is difficult. Prayers out to you and yours.

[Sally]

So sorry for your loss. I can't add anything more to what Deborah said.

[lovezebs]

biccio

What can I say? :'(
I know yoy loved Ivory very much. The one concellation is knowing that she is no longer in pain and is free.

I just lost a juvenile and several hand fed babies in the last little while. It always hurts, and leaves a little empty hole in your heart.

I'm sorry for your loss, but hopefully the future will bring a happy, healthy little Finch girl into your lives.

Warm regards.

~ Elana~

[biccio]

thank you for your support and details. About the other girl I have, I have a couple of questions:

I am not sure I can get another guest into my house. I understand they can't stay alone...so I was thinking about finding another home for Ebony (Ivory's sister). What should I look for? I definitely want a good place for her..and not anybody.

If I do take another finch, I have only a couple of hospital/travel cages. Are those ok for the new guest for the first couple of weeks?

[finchmix22]

Where do you live? If you post her in the Marketplace here, you'll most likely get a good new home. Or, you can get her a buddy. A hospital cage will be fine for quarantine purposes for a couple weeks.

[MiaCarter]

I'm so sorry to hear this.
Like Elana and several others, I've had a string of losses myself, recently, so I can definitely relate.

I agree with Deborah; you could place Ebony here in the marketplace.
If you decide to re-home her, I would look for someone who would give her a home that's equal to or better than what you would provide.
So a nice large cage, at least one friend, since finches are social.
I'd also ensure they were going to feed a good, varied diet. I'd also want them to have some basic medicines (e.g. antibiotics) so they could provide quick treatment if a problem arose. I'd also want to know that they would take them to a vet if they were in pain or seriously ill.

Giving up an animal is very difficult. I've only ever done it with fosters; never one of "my" babies. Even so, it was very difficult. But I always knew when I'd found the right home. I felt it in my heart and I knew it in my gut when I'd found the right person. So I daresay you will too.

[biccio]

I am in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States. I will give it a try..if not, I will just get another friend for Ebony. How many days/weeks can she stay alone? I am trying to entertain her in the evening when I am at home, but I just see that she already is a little bored.

[Airlyn]

I live in kcmo too.
If I were you I would give it a bit of time before parting with your bird. Grief and frustration can make us feel as if we want to throw in the towel at times. After a bit of reflection we realize the joys over compensate our losses.
Airlyn