2012 thread: Humanely putting birds to sleep?

[hoopwxf]

Hi All,

I have had my budgie aka My Most Adorable baby girl for 15 years now and I think [ever so sadly] she is just about at that time.

I made a pact with her, after her first traumatic vet visit when she was about 6mths old, that I would never take her back to the vets. We have managed very well together with no vet visits throughout the years and I do not want to traumatize her with a vet visit so late in her life.

As she quickly became my Companion and not just a pet, I learnt quickly to monitor her various body postures and droppings, and we have been through various little colds and other sick patches together but nothing like the current situation.

She did start a molt a good week ago which is never fun for her: but about 2 days ago, she suddenly took an unexplained turn for the worst - maybe like she has had a little stroke or something?? She does not seem to be able to stand on her feet for very long and when she does she is ever so wobbly. She is spending much of her time sleeping: preferring a flat surface - her various perches being too difficult. She is still alert to me and shows moments of her cheeky perky character. But signs are not showing favorably and I am thinking that I have to consider my options.

I read the 2012 post "Humanely putting birds to sleep" and was wondering now 7 years down the track whether further 'home' options have been successfully taken? perhaps an overdose on pain killers in the water or, similar???

Ever evening it is ritual that we have cuddles, scratches and pats [for up to an hour plus], before She lets me put her to bed: The last two nights it has been for Many hours and she just [uncharacteristically] lies on my chest, while I ruffle her feathers - just the way she likes it - and just does not want me to put her to bed. Normal cuddle time occurs on her scratch pad which she scratches when she wants a pat. Yes, she is the boss of me, she tells me the whats, the whens and, the wheres. And to this day I am still amazed at how such a tiny little animal [approx 2000 times smaller than me, 4000 times smaller than my partner] can have so much character. My poor baby girl, I wish she could live for ever by my side!

If anyone has any advice about "Humanely putting birds to sleep" at home, i will greatly appreciate it.

 

[jellybean]

I am so sorry, we can all empathize with you. Making this decision is so hard.

To save you and your little bird any stress, could you speak to an avian vet and get them to come to your house.

[Hezz]

I am sorry your little girl has reached this point in her life. It's a very difficult position, one I know I have considered myself, but could not bring myself to do. Unless you had access to the drugs necessary and a good relationship with your vet, which I would gather you don't, I don't know how you would go about it. jellybean's suggestion of having a vet come to you is about the best option, but in their defence, they would still need to examine her to determine just what was needed.

A budgie is not going to drink enough of heavily medicated water to put it to sleep, my opinion only, and anything else you would need to do would be forcing her to take something which would be traumatic for both of you. In all honesty, it sounds as though she doesn't have much fight left in her, why not just treasure the time you have left, keep her close and be with her at the end. Is she still eating and drinking on her own?

If she did have a seizure, she may have another, or she may rally with a little time, it is so hard to know. Whatever you do, it won't be easy and my heart goes out to you for being in this position.