Hey guys, I'm new to these forums. I guess what I'm trying to do is get more closure from this very shockingly sad period in my life. I purchased my quaker Mitu in June '07. He started off very healthy and oh what a character he was. His favorite food was taco bell, he had all the freedom any captive bird could ever hope for and a loving family. About a year down the line he started plucking the feathers at his feet and that sparked a visit to numerous vets. Finally one competent (rarity) vet told us that it could very well be the cigarette smoke in the house. My dad is a chain smoker and would also handle the bird sometimes. So once that stopped he got better for a while. That obviously didn't last long as he began to target his chest area now. He would pluck all the feathers out and then even started to pluck blood feathers which was evident from the dozen or so shrieks he would let out a day. The chest condition alleviated a little until finally his main focus area was his neck. He tore flesh in that area about a week and a half ago and us being very nonchalant about it thought he would be ok on his own. It wasn't until when we cleaned the wound and saw him constantly open it up again that we got some professional help. That realization came to us yesterday. We went to a vet (not our regular vet as he was in surgery all day). This incompetent doctor didn't make much of the situation, looked at him collected a stool sample, and washed his wound a bit. He prescribed some antibiotics for bacterial infection and sent us home. He didn't attempt to prevent the plucking in anyway. In retrospect now that we witnessed how he passed, it worked out well in terms of not having to subject him to a collar the last few hours of his life. So we bought him home from the vet, I hopped in the shower. By the time I come out he picked at it again and had considerable blood dripping down his chest. I cleaned him up again and that's when my mom and sister came home. I researched a little about a product called "Pluck No More." I found out that a store out in Rockville Ctr, NY has it so I took a 20 minute drive there. While I was there myy mom and sister were home with him wrapped in a little piece of cloth to prevent him from picking at the wound. I guess the little guy got to it with his feet and my sister said he picked at her for attention and when she took the cloth off blood was just pouring down his body. I came home 20 min later and applied some "Qwik Stop" for the blood and sprayed him with some water mixed with the "Pluck No More." I feel that was my only mistake in desperation. I didn't take into account how much my 50g bird had been through during the day and subjected him to more trauma. He tried running away from the spray and finally got too weak to even stand up on his own 2 feet. For the next hour or so I held him in my hands wrapped in that cloth and watched as he took his final gasps of air. He tried to get out of my grip and die on my shoulder as that was his favorite spot in the whole world. I miss the little guy. He brought along with him so much happiness and excitement. We fell in love instantly and he was such a special one that there was even a special wake and funeral. We buried him in our front yard. He will always live in our memories as one of the best things that could've happened to us. We are contemplating more quaker parrots (a pair this time) but are concerned with the frequency of Quaker Mutilation Syndrome. We honestly don't know what to do. I miss him.

I am so very sorry to hear about the lost of your baby. Thinking of you
Dinkie

I'm so sorry to hear about your poor little baby passing. I don't even know what to say as I can't imagine how devasted I'd be should that ever happen to Simon. I didn't even know there was such a thing as QMS. I do know that almost any bird will self mutilate in certain situations, and I know that there are some quaker owners here on this forum that have experienced this. I honestly cannot imagine life without a quaker now that I've had Simon, and I hope he has a very long life, but should something tragic happen, I do think I'd probably eventually get another one, just because I consider them to be extroidinary little birds.

Whatever you decide to do, know that there are some wonderful people here on this forum, and we understand as only other bird lovers can, and my heart really goes out to you.

My heart aches for your loss. Im sending you hugs and prayers for this difficult time.

I'm sorry for your loss. The little guys do find a pretty special place in our hearts.

i'm so very sorry for your loss. please know that, even tho you feel you hastened his passing, i'm sure he was comforted by being with you in his last moments.

while quakers and certain other species have a reputation for plucking and/or mutilation, please know that it's not a guarantee your next bird will do the same, so if that's a possible barrier to you bringing another home, don't let it be. they really are such remarkable birds, and after even a short time it's hard to imagine life without one.

if you ever decide to get another bird (or pair), please make sure your first step is no smoking in the house, and smokers wash their hands before handling the birds. it's really not good for anyone, but the very delicate respiratory systems of birds especially. there is no smoking inside my house anymore, and i'm glad i made that decision for numerous reasons.

please take care of yourself and enjoy the memories you have of mitu's short stay with you. you were truly blessed to have had such a wonderful companion in your life, no matter how short his stay.

kris

I'm sorry.

Good lord, what a STUPID vet. "Oh hey, this bird has an open wound and an infection, should I keep him in for observation? NAHHHH let's just send him home..."

I'm sorry to read about your bird Mitu, and I am struggling to understand the vet in all of this, Take care and try not to blame yourself.

I am so sorry for your loss.....

Thanks for all the support. If I can share something with you all through this experience it's this, cherish every moment you have with your parrot w/e breed it is. They have unconditional love for us and it's so painful when you can't always return that love. I remember how he would grab a seed and climb all the way down his cage, walk over to me, and climb up my sweats and then up my shirt onto my shoulder just so he can eat the seed in peace, comfort, and tranquility. Sometimes it'd get so annoying that I'd get him while he would be coming up my sweats and I'd place him back on top of his cage. Had I known he would leave me after a short year and a half I would've let him live on my shoulder.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how badly the hole in your heart must hurt. Think often of the good memories you made together. No one can ever take those from you. I pray God will soon ease your pain.

Your story was very sad to read---please accept my condolences in the loss of your baby...I know it hurts badly; just hoping your pain will ease soon....Bless You Dear One....

I am so sorry for you loss (((HUGS)))

Sending hugs from across the miles ..I and many others here know the pain of loosing a loved fid (feathered kid) ..Words cannot take away your pain but know that others understand and we truely care ...I am so sorry when I read about the loss of a loved fid , it breaks my heart truely and I hate seeing new posts in this forum..It takes me a while to come and read ...

My condolences. I wish I could take away your pain. Know that you are surrounded by friends who truly undertand your pain. ~Hugs

I am so sorry for the pain you feel at the loss of Mitu. Many of us understand all too well the pain of losing a beloved little fid. I hope your heart heals soon.

I'm so sorry to hear it. I ttoally understand how you feel. It makes me miss my JoJo .

*hugs*

So sorry for your loss (BIG HUG )

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

So sorry for your loss. How sad. Hugs going your way....