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With the Pope about to visit the UK, what better time to unburden yourself of anything that's weighing on your mind by posting it on the internet? Pay particular attention to the Seven Deadly Sins of lust, greed, envy, pride, posting puns on the QOTW board and the other ones. Top story gets to kneel before His Holiness's noodly appendage, or something

(, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 12:47)
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I don't think that mattered.
With respect to birds, I've only had experience of Budgies; but they're tough little sods (and I mean that with deep affection), they'll keep up appearances as long as possible because they're flock animals. Collapsing unconcious means certain death, by initial falling or ground predators - so their biology delays that by every means possible: stopping unessential processes; burning fat (what little they have, since they're from warm environments, kept in warm environments, and have to lift it all), then muscle tissue; all the time damaging internal organs.

So, by the time they clearly act ill, it's usually too late; serious and irreversible damage already done. Sure, if 'lucky', you can rush them to the vet, but their options for small animals are woefully limited - you can't hang an IV to rehydrate, perform dialysis, provide respiratory support, take blood samples; and unless exceptionally tame they'll fight any handling all the way, wasting more energy they can't spare.

In any case, most people's natural response to discovering such a situation would be to immediately provide unlimited food and water; which usually proves fatal. Few pet-owners could be hard-hearted enough (or possess the skills) to provide an appropriate and limited renourishment; such as an electrolyte solution needed to prevent hyponatremia.

My point is, after days of multi-faceted neglect; most likely the die* was cast. No matter what he did, a tragic end was inevitable.

Wanderer, you have my sympathy too. Perhaps one time I'll tell you all about the time I was outsmarted by one of our budgies; at least it wasn't while playing chess or something, so I don't feel too embarrased about it...

edit: * No pun intended, sorry.
(, Fri 27 Aug 2010, 14:52, 1 reply)
you sir are correct,
in fact most parrots/parakeets do this so they as well as the above don't get shunned by the rest of the flock.

Me and the ex had a Lineolated parakeet which overdosed on sunflower seeds to his demise, looked fine until then.

Also had a budgie but the ferret killed that (I'd left by this point so nothing to do with me that one!)
(, Fri 27 Aug 2010, 16:28, closed)

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