Devastating morning.

[LovelySydney]

My boyfriend and I found Luka dead this morning. I am beyond devastated, I can't even put into words what I am feeling. My bf came upstairs and told me not to go downstairs and I knew instantly it was Luka. I went to see her and just cried, and have been crying all morning. I don't know how this happened. When I put her to bed last night she was so full of life and so happy and then this morning there she is, passed away. I called the breeder and she couldn't believe it - said all the other babies are fine so it could've been a freak accident. I can't bring myself to take Luka out of the cage. I am so heartbroken. I loved that little bird so much and in the one week I had her she was a complete joy. I wish it didn't end like this. The breeder said I can get another bird but I cant even fathom another bird right now.

It's so terrible. Its heartbreaking and I really cant comprehend it at the moment. I blame myself that maybe she was too cold, or not happy or sick and I didn't notice:very_sad:

Anyway I wanted to post and tell the bad news - today will be a very hard day for me. Rest in peace little Luka, I loved you more than you will ever know.

[wilkiecoco]

oh my goodness - i am so very sorry. just from reading your posts, we all knew how much you loved luka, and she knew that as well. they are such fragile creatures, and despite our very best care and love, which you gave her, things can happen that is beyond our control.

fly high sweet luka - your momma is going to miss you.

[NickyBeth]

I am so sorry for your loss, Sydney. My first lovie went almost in the same fashion. Totally fine in the AM, and then gone by dinnertime with no sign of distress in those few hours that passed in between.

My second lovie passed because they were improperly weaned and just didn't know that the food I put out for them was indeed FOOD and WATER.

Sometimes these little guys aren't just meant to be around for us, though. Sometimes someone else up there needs a little birdie to love and they have to go where they are called.

I hope you feel better soon. We are here if you need us!

[linda040899]

I'm so very, very sorry to hear about Luka!

Please, please, please have a necropsy done on the remains! I know you don't want to hear this right now but it's very, very important. I've said this before and I will repeat myself. The only thing I know that kills this suddenly is Polyomavirus. Young birds, just at or past weaning age are the most likely to get it.

It would be my guess that it came from the parents and has been sitting dormant until stress caused it to flare up. Luka is your only bird so there would be no other explanation if that turns out to be cause of death. The other babies are fine, as they are still in a familiar situation and not subject to change of scenery as was Luka. Enko_Chan lost her first baby to Polyoma and I would be placing bets that's what happened to her second one.

[spiritwolf46]

:very_sad: Oh! I am so sorry to hear this! My prayers and thoughts are with you on this very devistating day. Please take care of yourself and please, though it is so hard to do, take Linda's advice and have your baby tested. :hug:

[LovelySydney]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I just can't believe that she was only here for a week only to leave so suddenly. I don't know if it is the polyomavirus because all the other babies are now at new homes and are fine, they all left the same weekend I took Luka home (the breeder stays in touch). I have taken luka out of her cage and put her in a little box with a bow around it. I thought that her eyes opened when I got her out, I believed it for a second, but that obviously wasn't the case. I keep thinking I hear her chirping and it only makes me cry harder:very_sad:

I need to know what to do as far as cleaning the cage and what to do with the toys. Can I wash her happy hut in the washing machine? I don't want to have to throw everything out - but if I have to I will.

My boyfriend wants to get another bird (which I love because he grew to love Luka and was against getting the bird in the first place! lol) but I don't know if I can do it at the moment. My breeder has a yellow peachface but now Im concerned that its something in my house or something I did - I don't think I can bring another bird in here with this guilt and obviously my mourning.

Thanks again everyone - I wish Luka could've been here longer, I didn't think it would hit me like it did! but this is definitely hard.

[Pips mom]

I am SO very sorry!! I am with Linda also......if it was me, I would be going crazy until I found out WHY??? Why does a perfectly healthy, happy bird just pass away in the night? Again, I really feel terrible for you! I don't know what I'd do if this happened to me.

[cp.lovebird]

I am so sorry that you lost Luka. How heartbreaking. :very_sad: I know that you did your best to care for her and love her. Maybe it is a good idea to get her tested so you will know for sure what happened.

Rest in peace, sweet Luka!

[Cannuck]

I am so very sorry to read this! It is always awful to lose a beloved companion. I am also with Linda though. A necropsy doesn't cost all that much and it will give you peace of mind to know why. Otherwise you will continue to blame yourself and I am sure that it was nothing you did. There are many other diseases that can lay dormant and then suddenly pop up out of nowhere. It may even be that there was just something not quite right with Luka from the beginning. Either way it is best to find out so that you can rest easy.
Our thoughts are with you!

[luluxoxo83]

I am so sorry to hear about Luka! I know how you feel; losing a fid is the worst feeling ever. Will you be getting a necrospy done?

[LovelySydney]

I dont know if Im getting a necropsy done. I am in grand rapids, MI, a fairly large city, and am having a very tough time finding an avian vet. I dont really know where to take Luka. Any suggestions would be great.


Oh and I was just on craigslist and some JERK (i would like to use a diff. word but wont) somehow got a picture of my luka and was selling her online! Not her obviously but was saying that it was her bird and she was selling it for a re-homing fee, etc. Named her 'tootsie' in the ad. Due to the circumstances I am FURIOUS that someone would do this and even more hurt that I had to see my little Luka on that page by some person trying to sell her to make money. That just makes me so angry. People are selfish and sick.

[linda040899]

Are any of these vets near you? http://aav.org/vet-lookup/locate-vet2.php?query_field=state&search_string=MI

Question for you and this may also shed some light on what happened. Was there any bleeding from the mouth area? How about bruising under the skin on the chest area or back area? You will see either of these, both or none with Polymavirus.

Until you can find an avian vet, you need to wet the body and wrap it with a damp paper towel. Put it in a plastic bag and keep it in the frig. Results aren't as good after 24 hrs.

[LovelySydney]

thank you so much Linda thats perfect.

[carrier]

(((((hugs)))))

I am sooo very sorry to read this. It is heartbreaking, but don't blame yourself.

Find out what happened by getting the necropsy done, and take your time with your grief. You'll know if and when it's time for a new bird.

Fly high, Luka! You are in some great company now at the rinbow bridge.

[Jally]

:( Ohmygosh! I am so sorry to be reading this. Why is everyone losing birds so rapidly around here :( My thoughts and prayers are with you. {{{HUGS}}}

[LovelySydney]

I just read that it couldve been because I gave Luka tap water and the chemicals couldve killed her? Is this accurate?

[NickyBeth]

I just read that it couldve been because I gave Luka tap water and the chemicals couldve killed her? Is this accurate?

I'm not the bird expert, but I am a water expert as I worked in water filtration for quite some time in my early 20's.

Tap water is regulated, and the chemicals in the water are used to treat water so that no infectious bacteria are in the water when we drink it. Sometimes our tap water is collected from the rain and streams, and therefore must be chemically altered to ensure that we are not drinking hazardous bacteria.

Spring water, on the other hand....can actually be sold "as is". I do not drink spring water, because I have seen first hand the bacteria it can contain.

I do not think tap water could have killed your bird. We drink it, our dogs and cats drink it -- we bathe and shower in it for much longer than our pets/birdies do and even though the human tolerance is much higher than that of our avian friends....it shouldn't kill them.

[HaleBoppPeachyluv]

Fly high Luka!

This board has made me happier and more paranoid in the last year that i've been a part of it. I had my Makalii for all of 6 months before the "incident" and i've had my sunnybird for almost that long. I've taken her to the avian vet twice & twice have gotten antibiotics for her. The last time i made my hubby take her, vet said she was fine. (sigh) I worry almost everytime i put her to bed at night or go to work without her. And I rejoice when i come home and she's hoppingly happy to see me.

sunnybird is teaching me painfully not to take happiness for granted. Hugs to you & BF... fly high Luka!

[Tango's_Mom]

I would also have to agree that the tap water probably had nothing to do with it. Tap water is more tightly regulated than bottle water and is just as safe if not safer. Unless you are on a private well (which then as far as I know wouldn't be as regulated and may have contaminants) your tap water should be very safe (not to say that private wells aren't). I give all my pets including Tango tap water without any problems. I would follow Linda's advice and have the necropsy done and definitely don't dismiss polyoma just because the others appear to be fine. It's not always clear why some individuals succumb to disease and others don't but there are a vast array of factors involved and if it was polyoma your breeder needs to know that asap. Also just because all the other babies are fine now doesn't mean they will be tomorrow, hopefully they will be but it's best to get the necropsy right away.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[newloviemom]

OMG---I am soooooooo sorry for your devastating loss!!! I just can't believe it!!! Please take comfort in the fact that Luka could know he was very loved. That little bird had more love in his short time here on earth than what many birds have in an entire lifetime.
Fly high precious Luka--and please say hi to Skittles for me up there at the Rainbow Bridge!! Tell Skittles his mama misses him and loves him!!
Big hugs to Luka'a mama!!!
Cindy & Zoe

[bookworm0550]

ohmigosh, i am so very sorry :( I know how much you loved luka. I enjoyed reading about her. oh man...i'm sorry.

[MykL]

:( So Sorry!

[bookworm0550]

Oh and I was just on craigslist and some JERK (i would like to use a diff. word but wont) somehow got a picture of my luka and was selling her online! Not her obviously but was saying that it was her bird and she was selling it for a re-homing fee, etc. Named her 'tootsie' in the ad. Due to the circumstances I am FURIOUS that someone would do this and even more hurt that I had to see my little Luka on that page by some person trying to sell her to make money. That just makes me so angry. People are selfish and sick.

I'm sorry, but that is disgusting!!!! I hope you flagged that person. That is horrible. ARGH >: I swear if I ever find a picture of my fids online that someone else claims, all **** will break loose. i'm sorry, but that makes me mad.

[Bubblelady]

This is just too sad! I am so, so sorry. Hugs.