We lost our Sunshine

[Kathryn]

Well I'm just back from the vet. It's been a miserable morning.
I found Sunshine dead this morning and took her body to the vet for a necropsy. She said she would give me a report today or tomorrow depending on her patient load.

Sunshine is the Lutino in my avatar.

For the past four weeks Sunshine has been feverishly building a nest in the bottom corner of the cage she shares with three other lovies. I could not keep paper in the bottom of the cage until I gave her a soft folded towel to snuggle in. She shredded any wooden or string toy and even used sunflower seed hulls. Her nest was monstrous!

Sunshine was not paired with another lovie so I knew she would have dud eggs and had tried to put off the nestiness. She never developed a torpedo butt and never laid an egg. She loved to snuggle under the towel during the day and would rip you a new finger if you tried to disturb her. Every night she would sleep on the top rung of the ladder in the cage with the other birds.

Last night I noticed she was perched on her feed cup in the bottom of the cage. When I checked on her she ran to her towel and became really defensive. I checked on her twice through the night thinking she might be having an egg, but still there was no torpedo bumm.

This morning she was still in her towel with her head peeking out. When she didn't stir I checked and she was gone.

I've lost my Sunshine and need to know why. There is a somber quiet in the birdroom this morning.

[Elle]

Kathryn,

I am so sorry to hear that. I hope you get an answer from your vet soon. You're in my thoughts and prayer along with your family.

:grouphug:

[wilkiecoco]

i am so sorry to hear about sunshine. please know that you are in my thoughts.

[zlatushka]

So sorry to hear the news, Kathryn. :( We'll keep you and your birdies in our thoughts and prayers. Hopefully the vet will have some answers for you.

[bellarains]

Kathryn,

I am so sorry to hear this. I know Sunshine was a very special, and loved fid, and she will be greatly missed. It is heartbreaking to loose a little one I know, but try to keep the picture of her flying high at the Rainbow Bridge in mind, and know that you will see her there again one day.


((((HUGS))))

Lori

[BarbieH]

((((Kathryn)))) We and our birds join you in silence.

:grouphug:

Hugs,
Barb, Tim, and the flock

[Anjamau79]

So sorry to hear of your loss.... You are in my thoughts.

(((((((((((((((big big hug))))))))))))))))

[mjm8321]

((((((((((Kathyrn))))))))) I am so sorry about Sunshine.

[butterfly1061]

Kathryn,

I am so sorry to hear your sad news. You are in my thoughts & prayers. ((((HUGS)))) Fly high Sunshine!

[ottermom]

What a terrible loss! I hope the vet can tell you what happened to poor Sunshine. You're in my thoughts.

[Purpose By Design]

HI KATHRYN

Im so sorry for your loss (((((((huggs)))))))) you are in my prayers.

[cassysmiley]

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts with you all. :grouphug:
love
cassy.

[Janie]

Kathryn, I am so, so sorry! ((((Kathryn))))

[kimsbirds]

I'm so sorry to hear of Sunshines' passing :cry:
Hopefully you will find the reason soon.
(((((((((((((:grouphug: ))))))))))))

[sdgilley]

Kathryn,
I'm so sorry about your Sunshine. That's so sad.
Take care!

[Eliza]

Oh, Kathryn!

I can't even begin to understand what you are going through.

Please know that you and the flock are in my thoughts. Take heart in knowing that you gave Sunshine a wonderful, loving home.

((((HUGS)))),

-e-

[Buy A Paper Doll]

Kathryn, I'm so sorry. :(

[Jessica]

I am also so sorry for your loss of Sunshine. She sounds like she was a wonderful baby and I hope you get the answers you need.

[saxypanda]

I am sorry to hear about your loss today. :cry: :(

[michael]

SUNSHINE....What a beautiful name for a beautiful bird. You can fly as high as you want....Sunshine. Kathryn, I don't have to tell you to take care of the rest, I know you will. Take care of yourself too. Goofy N' Michael

[DebSpace]

Oh, Kathryn, my heart goes out to you. I'm so very sorry for your loss and apologize for not seeing your post sooner. Sunshine knew how much you loved her. I will be praying for you and am sending my number to you via pm in case you need anything or just want a shoulder to cry on. Heather put it so nicely, Sunshine really will light up rainbow bridge.

Fly with the angels, Sunshine.

[Kathryn]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers.
As soon as I receive a vet report, I will post it.

[graushill]

I'm so sorry about Sunshine Katherine :(. She was a beautiful bird, well deserving of her name. I hope finding why it happened helps you feel better.

(((((Katherine, family, flock)))))

[Kathryn]

The vet called me to come in to see the report and something unusual she found in Sunshine's digestive system.
All the bloodwork was clear of disease, but there were signs of infection.
What was unusual was tiny slivers of wood, little pieces of fiber, and some very tiny pieces of something that looks like plastic. She thinks this is what overwhelmed little Sunshine. While her elimination system was working well, there were tiny punctures from the slivers.

It seems, Sunshine was ingesting these unhealthy morsels as she was building her nest. The pieces of fiber look like the preening toy that has veggie dyed hemp, the slivers of wood may either be sunflower seed hulls or some wood from the window frame behind the cage...I had not noticed this before!! And the plastic...perhaps from the plastic seed bag....I thought the cat had been playing with the bag.

The vet also indicated that there was some evidence that Sunshine had been re-absorbing an egg.

While I'm relieved there is no disease, I am distressed to think that Sunshine was eatting things so unhealthy. I can't imagine why. I also thought I was a vigilent fidma. I'm just sick that this happened to my baby on my watch!

[kimsbirds]

Kathryn,
You ARE a fantastic fidma!! Don't ever doubt that. What happened to Sunshine was tragic and very unfortunate, but it's nothing you caused through neglect or abuse. You know that lovies are notorious for their curiosity and ability to get their beaks on things they shouldn't, even under the most watchful eye. Please give yourself credit for the care you DO give your birdies.
It's sad that Sunshine is gone but you can rest easy that your flock isn't affected via disease or illness. All you can do is love the rest of your flock and by sharing your experience with this board, we can all learn from your mishap. Remember Sunshine in your thoughts and in your heart.

Best Wishes and a big huggg...
Kimmie

[DebSpace]

Don't be hard on yourself, they manage to get themselves into the strangest things no matter how hard we try, it seems. I'm just thinking about the way Skylee and Sophie shread they're pinatas and wood ice cream spoons. We just don't know, do we. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers through this.

[graushill]

You shouldn't blame yourself Kathryn. I too think you take great care of all your flock. But the instinct to breed is so strong.....A hen will use anything she can to build a nest, and there's really not much one can do. After reading about Sunshine though, when I come home, I will give everything in the cage a once over trying to see all items through the eyes of a nesty hen and I will check Pontus nest box to see what she's been using, even if she gets upset. So thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Gloria

[wilkiecoco]

kathryn,

i am once again reminded just how fragile our lovies are. their curiousity knows no bounds, and it is darn near impossible to predict what they will get into next. i never would have thought of those wooden bird toy spoons kiwi likes to dismantle as being a problem, nor the veggie dye chew toys that sunshine had.

You are as vigilent as they come, and do everything in your power to keep your lovies safe and sound. Try not to be so hard on yourself - this was an tragic occurance, but I know sunshine knew that she was loved. Take care.

[cassysmiley]

Ditto to wants been said. Please dont blame yourself. :grouphug:
I got a pair of lovies who will feed only when the covers are on. so what i am saying, seeing as it gets lighter in the mornings now, (our summer time starts this w/end.) she could have done it while you still asleep. Same with children, when our backs are turned, you never know what Mischeif they get up to.
love
cassy.

[michael]

Kathryn. Thats one big plate full of could be's. And who wouldn't feel bad losing something they care for and love so much. Surely you'll look for whatever may be of danger to the rest of your family and then take it a little easier on yourself. You wasted absolutely NO time trying to find out what happened and shared it with everyone here. If I were a bird I would definitely want to land on your door step! You are one of the reasons this is such a wonderful community. We are grateful.....GOOFY N' Michael