Very Sad Day.

I am so sorry for your loss, Kaela!

I'm so sorry. There is never easy when you loose your feathered friend

Thanks everyone.

It's certainly not easy, particularly when they're so young. I'd only had him for six months, but I'm guessing he'd've been about 20 months now.

Budgies unfortunately very rarely make it past their second hatchday in pet situations. Statistics (I can't find them at the moment) have shown that their diet in captivity greatly reduces their lifespan. Common owners also consider them throw-away birds and rarely get them vet care. I think the next person who tells me a budgie is a throw-away or beginner bird will be punched.

KayLayUh wrote:

Thanks everyone.

It's certainly not easy, particularly when they're so young. I'd only had him for six months, but I'm guessing he'd've been about 20 months now.

Budgies unfortunately very rarely make it past their second hatchday in pet situations. Statistics (I can't find them at the moment) have shown that their diet in captivity greatly reduces their lifespan. Common owners also consider them throw-away birds and rarely get them vet care. I think the next person who tells me a budgie is a throw-away or beginner bird will be punched.

My friend who was considering getting a bird, asked me what kinds of parrots would fit her lifestyle. My first suggestion was a budgie. She then basically compared them to goldfish. Did she ever get an ear full.

Also, I'm just wondering, what diet did you feed your budgies?

zazanomore wrote:

My friend who was considering getting a bird, asked me what kinds of parrots would fit her lifestyle. My first suggestion was a budgie. She then basically compared them to goldfish. Did she ever get an ear full.

Also, I'm just wondering, what diet did you feed your budgies?

I don't think I could be friends with someone who compared them to a goldfish. But, even though I don't like fish, I was upset when my black goldfish died after multiple rounds of ick treatments.

The budgies came to me from PetCo on a Kaytee brand seed diet. They've been on a diet of Zupreem Avian Naturals pellets, Alta Loma Seed Company fortified seed and dried veggie/fruit mix, dried oatmeal, and dried pasta. They get millet as a treat, usually once every other week or two. They also get fresh veggies daily, but the budgies tend not to eat them. They do eat dried veggies and fruit, though.

Petco isn't known for rearing the most healthy birds.

That being said, I know you did a fantastic job with him. If he did die of a heart attack or stroke, it wasn't because of anything you did.

I think it may be comforting to know that even though his life was short, it was lived to the fullest.

zazanomore wrote:

Petco isn't known for rearing the most healthy birds.

That being said, I know you did a fantastic job with him. If he did die of a heart attack or stroke, it wasn't because of anything you did.

I think it may be comforting to know that even though his life was short, it was lived to the fullest.

Thanks.

I used to work at the Petco I got him from, and I honestly don't even know why I would buy a bird from them considering the things I'd seen from them. I think both he and Pigpen just kind of caught my eye. And at his vet checks, they always said everything was perfectly fine. Even back in March, his labs were all normal.

Unfortunately avian cardiovascular disease isn't diagnosed until shortly before, but usually after, death. There's only a few avian vets that I know of in this state with the capability to do avian EKGs and my avian vet isn't one of them. The closest with the equipment is over an hour away.

I really wish avian medicine was as paid attention to as canine and feline medicine. I mean, they're the third most popular pet in the U.S., you would think someone would be researching these things.

I have been feeling sad off and on all day myself.

I am beginning to wish I could go into avian research. I may look into it. I'm fairly burned out on astronomy, and if the field is really as small as it seems, maybe crossing into it is possible.

ScooterNScotty wrote:

I have been feeling sad off and on all day myself.

I am beginning to wish I could go into avian research. I may look into it. I'm fairly burned out on astronomy, and if the field is really as small as it seems, maybe crossing into it is possible.

There definitely needs to be more people in the field. I can't imagine why it's so small considering there are so many companion parrots in the world.

ScooterNScotty wrote:

I am beginning to wish I could go into avian research. I may look into it. I'm fairly burned out on astronomy, and if the field is really as small as it seems, maybe crossing into it is possible.

That would be awesome! We'd have our own resident expert!

Hey Roz, some big fancy forum might lure her away with free cookies and such.

henpecked wrote:

Hey Roz, some big fancy forum might lure her away with free cookies and such.

But we HAVE cookies!

And I think we're the only place with

Better than a Magic 8 Ball!

I want to learn more on Avian health and Nutrition. Hey, I could even take Ornithology courses one day.

Sorry to hear of your loss

*hugs*

crystalsbirdtoys wrote:

Sorry to hear of your loss

*hugs*

Thank you.

Oh I am so sorry for your loss! Poor No Name, poor Pig Pen, poor you! : (

So sorry to hear about this and so many days after. I'm hating being away from the board so much. I hope the other fids are doing well and will slowly come out of their own grief. You're in my thoughts as well, I know this is hard for you. I can't imagine what it's like losing one of my own fids.