Such a sad night. I can’t believe that in the past two weeks, I’ve lost two finches. As you know, I just got Penelope on Sunday. If she was sick, I had no idea — but then, they are very good at hiding illness until it’s really serious.
Shortly after writing that last entry, I went into the bedroom to check on the birds and found Penelope sitting on the floor of the cage, all puffed up and eyes half-closed. I tried not to panic. I thought she might be eggbound. I reached in the cage and picked her up — she didn’t even resist, so I knew it must be bad. :( I massaged her tummy a little, but I couldn’t tell whether she had an egg in her or not. She wiggled a little but not much. I put her back in the cage and went to the computer to look up avian vets — but it was already 8:00, so I knew everywhere would be closed. I went back in the bedroom and she was lying on her side this time! I was crying by then. I didn’t know what to do. Finally I found a number for a 24-hour emergency vet clinic, and called them. They said they didn’t have an avian vet on staff tonight, but I could bring her in and they could do everything possible to keep her alive until tomorrow, when they could get an avian vet in. So I put Penelope in a small cage and set off for the clinic — it was 15 miles away in Marietta, but it was my only option. I was crying and trying not to get too upset.
I sped up I-75. When I got to the clinic, Penny was still alive, but just barely. I rushed her inside and they immediately took her back. A minute or so later, the doctor came to talk to me. She said Penny was still alive, but in very critical condition — she was barely breathing and her heart barely beating. :( The doctor said they could do CPR and whatever else, but her chances weren’t good. She recommended euthanasia. :( Of course I just wanted Penny to be at peace, so I said go ahead. Afterward they wrapped her up and gave her to me to take home — they had drawn a heart on the outside of the wrapping.
Poor little thing!! I know there’s nothing else I could’ve done, but I just feel so bad. I hope my other birds are okay!!
Tomorrow night I’ll have to go back to Petco with the vet receipt, since their policy says they’ll cover any expenses within 15 days — and of course I’ll have to take Penny, too. :( They might try to give me another finch for free, but I don’t think I’m going to take another one from that store. In fact, I don’t know if I’m going to get another one at all. I might just stick with five.
Not a good night at all. :(
P.S. I took several pictures of all the birds yesterday and managed to get this one of her.
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5 Responses to "Penelope"
Very unfortunate. Hearts are yours.
maybe this pet store should be “investigated”.are they treating them properly?
That’s what I was thinking too. The thing is, this pet store (by all appearances) seems to be treating them better than the ones closer to me. That’s why I drove outside the perimeter to get to it, because it seems that the birds are happier and better taken care of. Cages are cleaner, there aren’t ever any birds with plucked feathers, there’s an employee who’s the “bird specialist” and actually knows, for example, how to tell the difference between a male and female zebra finch… but, they could’ve caught pneumonia or who knows what else. I haven’t ruled it out. I hope my other 2 from that store are ok. :(
the thing i have heard is that somepets stores–with dogs anyway buy the animals from”puppy mills”. its not healthy for the dogs (parents) or the puppies and i think there is higher potential for health problems for the puppiess…i wonder if this may be tru with birds..i will ask my sister!
:( sorry baby