ramsey@kona.cs.ucla.edu (07/28/90)
First of all, my apologies because I know absolutely NOTHING about birds. I am just trying to get some information about a sudden death to my friend's cockatoo. If anybydy has anything to contribute, Patti would be grateful. On Tuesday night, Snoopy, a 4 yr. Cockatoo, was eating and sort of coughed. Pat picked him up and comforted him and ended up staying near to him most of the night. The next morning she brought her to the Vet and he said that she had probably aspirated and hopefully, whatever it was, would be absorbed into the system so they came home. Wednesday night was touch and go...Snoopy had several attacks of wheezing and appeared to be trying to get something out of her mouth. Thursday morning she went back to the vet where they decided to keep a close watch on her. All this time she had been eating and playing as normal. Four weeks ago she had a growth removed on her foot and had undergone anethesia, but recovered 100%. Thursday afternoon at about 2pm the vet called and she died! My brother is furious at her for not having an autopsy done, but since she had witnessed the incident of Snoop choking she is assuming that whatever was aspirated was not absorbed and the air supply was restricted. Any procedure to locate the problem would have meant a tracheotomy, which would, in itself, have been life threatening. She is sure, as is the vet, that it was a fluke accident and there is no indication of disease. Has anybody out there experienced anything similar to this incident? Thanks in advance your your help. I am retelling the story as it was told to me. -- Brenda Ramsey (213) 825-2778 UCLA Computer Science Department ramsey@CS.UCLA.EDU ..!(uunet,ucbvax,rutgers)!cs.ucla.edu!ramsey