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Cleo Update 💔
🕑 Added 2025-02-23 03:54:16 +0000 UTCHere's a message from Maddie to everyone who followed Cleo's journey via her facebook page:
I wish I had better news, but we have decided to say goodbye to Cleo tomorrow.
Though we've only had her for two months, she has become a cherished family member and saying goodbye so soon hurts horrifically. 
She has fought so hard over the past month and a half. I was sure last Monday that we would come home from the vet without her, but she fought all week to stay with us and showed us today that she's ready to be at peace.
I wish she would've been able to enjoy all of her fun toys and the freedom of sunning outside on the porch in the summer, among all of the other good experiences and memories we had yet to make. We were so hopeful that she'd have a new start to life and flourish for what should've been 25+ more years. She is too young to die; I can't help but feel so much anger that she was let down by her previous owners.
After we treated her for fungal and bacterial infections, she declined suddenly and we discovered she had heart disease - almost certainly due to a lifetime of being fed junk food. Switching medications did not improve her condition, and further testing revealed hepatitis and what our vet believes is low grade Aspergillosis.
All of these things theoretically could be maintained with medication, but we have been unsuccessful at stabilizing her and it is very possible there is something else going on contributing to her decline. We will be having a necropsy performed for our peace of mind.
For a week, we were taking her to the vet every other day for gavage feeding, sub-q fluids, and anti-inflammatory & vitamin injections. For a bird that had not been to the vet in their lifetime, and a 3+ hour round trip drive to get to our vet, this was unbelievably stressful for her.
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that we did absolutely everything we could. We tried every treatment plan, every medication, every supplement that was suggested.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ~1 week we had that she was alert and so willing to train for me before becoming sick. I know we would've had something really special if she was able to stick around, and I know she tried her best to stay with me. I will do my best to remember her by the great week we had together and not the turbulence of sickness that followed.
I'll miss you pretty girl. I hope you can spread those wings and fly free somewhere beautiful without pain.
And here's the video from their channel.
Comments
Julie K
Can I second what Tony said? ;) I have been trying to get the word out as well about the importance of an appropriate diet, but many people are simply afraid of change. They think they will invest money and their bird won't eat it, or they wouldn't eat it so why would their bird? I have started to be called the person in our rescue who knows training (lol) but I wish it was nutrition. Even the people I volunteer with feed their birds trash, and then struggle to understand why their lives are cut short. But the wins are there, too. I will also say that I am seeing more and more people on other bird forums recommending BirdTricks (for diet, training, etc), and their suggestions are not being shot down but welcomed. (Looking at you, Tony and Kayla!) I hope I can introduce you to Angel soon, a B&G rescue that I have had for three days, after he lived with one owner for 23 years. Mostly, his diet was seeds for 20 years; a couple years ago they switched him to a sugary fruity pellets diet. This morning, he ate two helpings of seasonal feeding system (with some scrambled eggs!) and then his BT pellets -- and he is licking the bowl clean. What you do is making a big difference for him.
BirdTricks
Thank you, Tony 🥰
BirdTricks
Thank you so much, Robin. 🥰
BirdTricks
Thank you, Kristen 🥰
Kristen Pace
That’s devastating news. My heart breaks for Cleo. Thank you for what you do and for trying all you can and investing so much and trying to save these project parrots. There is nothing I love more than watching your project. Parrot updates. As for getting in front of more people and educating to nutrition, I don’t know how you could possibly do more than you already do. You’re already changing The culture altogether of nutrition for birds and unfortunately, you’re one of the frontiers having to push forward at a time that changes slow because Information hasn’t been out there for people in abroad enough venue. But you’re doing it and I can tell you that I have five pairs at my house and they’re all healthy because of you specifically. I did not know any better prior to watching BirdTricks. And I have an entire life history of pets and my family, owning pet store and being immersed within pets throughout my life. Bird information is few and far between and you guys are reaching lots of people with the information that you have And literally saving birds one person at a time.
Robin Marlin
My heart is breaking for you and for Maddie. You and Dave (and your staff) are doing so much to change the lives of parrots and their owners. You have educated me and given me the desire to educate others and be part of the mission of saving one parrot at a time. Continue to do what you are doing and reaching as many people as you can. We in turn will help you to spread your message. Your mission IS spreading exponentially! Let me know what I can do to help you. I am sincere in saying that. Sending the biggest of hugs!
Karen Lash
So sorry to hear this Jamie. I want to thank you again for saving Autumn’s life with your diet. All you do has made the lives of parrots and their people better!
Landon Perdue
Another one gone too soon.. I hope so many learn from her story. Thank you for sharing her with us, Maddie and Jamie.
Wendy Cottingham
Heartbreaking!
Camispets.blog
I'm sorry, Jamie. and thank you for what you do for the birds.
Tony
I’m so sorry, Jamie. You’ve done so much more than anyone else I can think of to help an incredible number of parrots live healthier, longer lives. You guys are doing all the right things. You reach an incredible number of bird owners, not just personally and through BirdTricks, but through all your followers who share the info you share. I see people on just about every bird page pushing for better diet and linking to your site. Think about what the online parrot scene looked like 15 or 20 years ago. You’ve been a huge part of the change for the better in parrot keeping in that time period. Be proud of all the advancements you’ve made. For every parrot you can’t save, there a ten whose life you’ve made so much better. You do incredible things and have a special heart. We’ve got your back.
