Spryte Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 You are such a good bird mommy, she’s in wonderful hands. Thinking of Sunny, and sending healing thoughts. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 Poor Sunny, I hope she shows signs of improvement soon. You're doing everything possible. Holding you all in my thoughts. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 Please don’t be too hard on yourself about her tail feather — you are doing the very best you can for her, but you can’t be 100% perfect all the time. I’m sure Sunny isn’t holding it against you! Still praying!!! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 Sending Sunny some hugs. I hope she comes around to her new food soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 Praying for Sunny still 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoeless Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 Come on little miss Sunny ☀️ Try the new food! It's delicious, I promise! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 would seed without honey be something she'd eat? I don't know about birds, but I know in humans sugar is processed by the liver (similar to alcohol) so is hard on the liver. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoeless Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 1 hour ago, ktgrok said: would seed without honey be something she'd eat? I don't know about birds, but I know in humans sugar is processed by the liver (similar to alcohol) so is hard on the liver. It's the fat in the seeds that is problematic. Birds on primarily seed diets develop fatty liver disease 😕 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 You probably already did this but did you mix - bit of the old food and new food together to get her a bit more used to it? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 I read somewhere that sprouted seeds are lower fat, as some of the fat energy stored in the seed is used in the growing/sprouting process, and birds that refuse other "healthy" food may eat them. You'd need to research it, but maybe an idea? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 14, 2022 Author Share Posted April 14, 2022 9 hours ago, ktgrok said: would seed without honey be something she'd eat? I don't know about birds, but I know in humans sugar is processed by the liver (similar to alcohol) so is hard on the liver. Seeds are her main food, supplemented with greens, fruits, egg food, cuttlebone, and treats. The new thinking is that pelleted / extruded food (basically like dog food!) is better for birds, in part because of the fatty liver disease that can result from eating a bunch of seed. In the wild birds have a greater variety of food and the pelleted food attempts to be more nutritionally complete. The trouble is that it can be hard to get birds to accept pelleted food, especially when they are used to seed. I tried it when we adopted Sunny, but she had been eating seed (AFAIK) for four years at that point and wasn't having it. Now of course I wish I had tried harder. She hasn't wanted to eat her regular seed lately, so I've been trying everything possible--the treat sticks, millet sprays, fresh produce several times a day. I'm hoping that she will eat the pelleted food I bought, but she hasn't yet. It's not too dissimilar from her egg food, which she loves (a mixture of grains and egg). It's made for finches, so the pellets are teeny-tiny, which I think she needs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 14, 2022 Author Share Posted April 14, 2022 7 hours ago, itsheresomewhere said: You probably already did this but did you mix - bit of the old food and new food together to get her a bit more used to it? I put the new food in her foraging tray, a place where she can find all kinds of treats at various times. I also put other foods she is used to in the tray, but didn't mix them. I guess I am worried right now about her refusing things she will usually eat if the new food is mixed in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 14, 2022 Author Share Posted April 14, 2022 So I was very, very worried about Sunny this AM. She was sitting on the bottom of her cage, very tired, not eating much at all. She is always worse after we take her out of her cage to medicate her. It's stressful for her, although much easier than it was at the beginning. I think she understands now that we are not going to harm her. She improved a little in the afternoon. I got a little silent chatter, some happy head shakes, and a tongue waggle out of her, and DD said she was eating her seed again. She also had some millet, treat stick, spinach, and apple. But she is not eating enough. The vet had told me that I could discontinue the eye drops if her eye seemed clear. I decided tonight that I am going to go ahead and do that. She is receiving oral antibiotics anyway, and I don't think the added stress is worth the tiny bit of benefit she might receive from the eye drops. She was *much* less stressed when we just gave the oral meds and not the eye drops so I'm hopeful that will help with her stress level. Thank you so much for your continued thoughts and prayers. 💛 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom_to3 Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 Thanks for the updates! She sounds like such a sweet little spirit and I hope she improves. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 15, 2022 Author Share Posted April 15, 2022 (edited) My sweet Sunny is growing weaker. She is spending more time on the bottom of her cage. She lost her balance a little again yesterday. She didn't quickly fly out of my hand when I put her back in the cage today. All of these things are discouraging. In better news, she is still eating and drinking and eliminating. And she ate some of her new pellets today, and gave an approving, happy head shake or two! Please pray that she will hold on long enough for the milk thistle and/or antibiotics to decrease the size of her liver and then that she will gain strength again. Please pray that she stays comfortable and happy and feels loved and well regardless of the outcome. I am thinking about whether it would be wise or unwise to take her to the vet for another gavage feeding and more fluids. It really perked her up last time, but she was stronger then. Thanks so much. Edited April 15, 2022 by MercyA 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 Oh no, sending some positive thoughts to Sunny today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 Aw, thinking of Sunny, you, and your family. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 I wish I knew what to advise you about the vet— maybe you could call them and ask their opinion. The only reason I would lean toward getting the treatment for her today is because the weekend is coming, and it might be hard to get the help Sunny needs over the weekend if your regular vet isn’t there. I’ll keep praying for her. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbollin Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 sending hugs and prayers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
***** Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 You all are in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 Thinking of you all. I wish I had some helpful advice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 15, 2022 Author Share Posted April 15, 2022 1 hour ago, Catwoman said: I wish I knew what to advise you about the vet— maybe you could call them and ask their opinion. The only reason I would lean toward getting the treatment for her today is because the weekend is coming, and it might be hard to get the help Sunny needs over the weekend if your regular vet isn’t there. I’ll keep praying for her. Thank you so much, Cat. I was going to text them and ask what they thought, but Sunny has perked up considerably since this morning. She is perching and enjoying our visits. Honestly I think the handling for the meds in the morning and evening is what wears her out so much, so I'm reluctant to subject her to more. I think what I'll do is weigh her tonight. If her weight is holding steady, I'll keep doing what we're doing. If it's dropped even more, then I'll text the vet. They are open Saturdays until 1 PM. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 I almost never post on here anymore, but I just wanted to tell you I’ve been praying for Sunny and will keep doing so. She is the most adorable birdie! 😍 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 Still thinking of Sunny and her family and hoping for the best possible outcome for all of you.💛 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 @MercyA Thinking of you and Sunny, and wishing you all the best. In my experience, while a bird is still independently eating, there's still hope. I understand how exhausting this all is. One moment you're feeling like she's turned a corner, and then you notice a concerning behaviour. And then she's bounced back somewhat and you have hope again. All the best 🌼 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 Sunny has lost another gram and is down to 26 grams. She is not eating nearly as much as she should and DD said she lost her balance once. She is a funny little thing. I always give her the antibiotics first and then the milk thistle. Tonight I accidentally reversed the order and she gave a happy, approving head shake. She must like the taste of milk thistle better. 🙂 She still enjoys interacting with us. She was sitting by her duck toy tonight and I said, "Oh, do you like your ducky?" and she gave me a happy little tongue waggle. And when I praised her for making it all the way up to her sleeping branch for bed, she was very pleased with herself. I know she very well might be and likely is in her final decline. I just texted the vet for her advice about whether to keep her home and comfortable or make the two-hour round trip for another gavage feeding and fluids. I want to do whatever is best overall for her. Thank you all for understanding me. I had to switch off a sad love song today because it reminded me of my canary. 😞 I know you guys get it. 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 I'm so sorry Mercy. Sending healing thoughts to you and little Sunny. (((hugs))) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 I have been praying and will keep praying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 Oh dear. Sending love and gentle hugs to you, Sunny and DD. I think we are all coming to love Sunny, so she has lots of hive aunties pulling for her. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 Thinking of you and Sunny tonight. Sending some hugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 Also — I just want to say again that you are a wonderful bird mommy, and seeing the care you’ve given her has made my heart happy. Thank you for caring for her and sharing it with us. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 Thank you all so much. ❤️❤️❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoeless Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 Oh, little Sunny ☀️ ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 Just wanted to let you know I'm reading every update and praying for Sunny and your family. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 So very sorry that she’s losing weight. But also so grateful that you can still find joy in the small moments when she’s happy. Sunny is so lucky to have such wonderful care and humans who adore her. Praying for you guys. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 I’m getting very worried because there haven’t been any updates. I’m praying that nothing happened to Sunny! 😞 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 17, 2022 Author Share Posted April 17, 2022 Thank you, Catwoman. It means so much to have you and others checking in. Sunny is in decline. 😞 She is not eating much at all--just a tiny bit. She did take a little refreshing bath today. It was a sunny day and it inspired her to take a little swim. 🙂 We also played her some bird song and all of us went to visit with her frequently. I am touched by how cheerfully she responds to our company even when she is not feeling well. She made it up to her bedtime branch tonight. She is stumbling more and experiences little tremors / jerky movements sometimes. She looks very sleepy sometimes. She does not seem to be in pain or distress. She is supposed to be done with her antibiotic on Monday. The small hope I have is that her appetite may increase again when she is finished with it. I would say that since she has continued to decline since taking the antibiotics, that she likely has either liver disease or a liver tumor. I'm trying to continue to stay encouraging and cheerful for sweet Sunny, because she loves happy voices and, especially, praise for how pretty / sweet / smart / good she is. 🙂 Please pray that God will keep her comfortable and free from distress or pain until the end and that when she does pass, that it will be peaceful. Please also pray for DD, who is having a hard time with it. Thank you all. 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 I’ll keep praying, Mercy!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Sending some prayers to Sunny tonight. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom_to3 Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Oh I am so sorry to hear the updates. She sounds like such a sweet loving funny being (I never knew that a canary could be such a wonderful pet - please forgive my ignorance). I am keeping Sunny and your family in my thoughts! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 @MercyA Thinking of you all and wishing you all the best. Sweet Sunny is so fortunate to have you as her family. She is so loved 🌻 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Thinking of you and Sunny this morning. (((hugs))) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted April 17, 2022 Author Share Posted April 17, 2022 Hive aunties, please pray for Sunny's peace and comfort. She has almost stopped eating and drinking. We gave her a little water with a syringe today and she liked that, and liked receiving her milk thistle. She fell off her sleeping branch this morning. 😞 We're going to try to give her a happy day with sunshine and lots of praise and love. 26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 (((Mercy, Sunny, and family))) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Hugs to you and your family. I'm so sorry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 I am so sorry. Sending prayers to Sunny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Aw, I'm sorry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Hugs to you and your daughter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Sometimes, all you can do is be there for them and give them as much comfort as you can. I'm so sorry, though, because I know how hard it is to go through this with a beloved pet. I'm wishing Sunny and you and your family as much peace and comfort as is possible. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 I’m so sorry. I will be praying for her and y’all today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.