Another baby in trouble--hydrating solution?

[Birdmom4ever]

I'm sorry to say, my little one did not make it. He died early this morning, after 10 days in the house. He never truly "turned the corner." His crop remained slow, although he had good days and bad days. He grew, but with painful slowness, and he was woefully behind in terms of development.

I was at the vet with another one of our pigeons last week (not a bird from the loft) and it turns out she has a fungal infection (Aspergillus) for which he prescribed medication. Anyway, I talked to the vet at length about the chick I was hand-feeding. He said what you did Terry, that slow crop is usually caused by a yeast infection. He told me I could try giving the baby a single drop of the anti-fungal medication he prescribed for the adult hen, for 4 days. I gave him a drop on Friday and initially he seemed to improve. But after I gave him the medication on Saturday, he rapidly went downhill. I don't know if it was the toxicity of the medication or if he was just losing the battle anyway, but he declined rapidly yesterday afternoon. I'm so sad. After 10 days of trying EVERYTHING I could to help him, he didn't make it. I know I can't save them all, but I feel terribly discouraged. He (and I) fought so hard, and it was all for naught.

[TAWhatley]

I'm so sorry the little one didn't make it. I know how badly you are feeling. Though I tend to get dozens and dozens of babies to hand raise each year and most of them make it, the ones that don't really, really hurt.

It's hard to say what the problem was .. could have been just slow crop .. could have been paratyphoid .. could have been just not meant to be.

Terry

[cyro51]

I am so sorry.

Cynthia

[Birdmom4ever]

Thank you Terry and Cynthia. It makes me feel better to hear from you because I know you understand. You'd think I'd get used to it. I've loved--and lost--pets my whole life. But the losses don't get any easier. Of course we lose babies out in the loft from time to time. It always saddens me, but when I've personally cared for a bird in the house, the loss is wrenching. It haunts me that this little one trusted me to help and I failed him. But hindsight is always 20-20. I'll never know if I made things better for him or worse, but I do know I did my best.

Little wings that will never fly,
You gave this life a valiant try.
Little peeps that now are still,
Most would forget, but I never will.

[Poulette]

I'm sorry for your little one too, and I understand how you feel. You did your best but sometimes we don't know why things happen. Don't blame yourself!

[Lin Hansen]

That is such a beautiful little verse....don't forget that -you- gave a valiant try too, to save this little one's life.
Sorry for your loss,
Linda