I have an 11 1/2 year old canary that is nearing the end of his life, but it seems he needs to be helped on his way. Besides having arthritis (or whatever) in his feet, about a month ago he went blind rather suddenly (the interior of his eyes is now clouded). He now spends all his time on the bottom of the cage, either on the floor or on his food and water dish, which he still manages to find. He has adjusted somewhat to his blindness (at first he was quite disorientated), but I know he cant be very happy. He never has liked to be handled and now becomes agitated when he knows Im near his cage since he cant keep an eye on me anymore. I dont want to scare him to death (perhaps literally) by taking him to the vet to have him put to sleep and so was wondering if there was something I could do at home to help him on his way without traumatizing him in his last moments (the vets only suggestion was to bring him in). I would hate to have to do it myself, but I also hate to see him suffer so. Im still hoping hell soon go peacefully on his own, but in case he doesnt, does anybody have any suggestions?
>~Susan An old book (Bates & Busenbark, I think) recommended putting the bird in a paper bag and wrap the top of the bag around the exhause pipe of your car. The carbon dioxide will kill the bird in a few minutes, hopefully, painlessly.
I know how difficult it can be to euthanize one of your birds. Especially one thats been around for 11 1/2 yrs. Its a decision you have to follow your heart to make.
I think you should take it to the vet to do, however if circumstances prevent this…
The best (fastest, least painful) way Ive figured out is to take a *very sharp* large kitchen knife & cut the birds head off. I know it sounds gruesome, but Ive had to do it a couple of times & am convinced its the best way for small birds (although very painful for us).
I think it must be a TFH book–only they could come up with such utter stupidity.
I hope to God this is just a troll, buy now Im so mad/upset i cant even describe it. For one thing, if youve had a bird for 11 1/2 years and you cant even manage to take it to the vet for the last (first?) time, well, I dont know what to say. Second, youre worried to vet trip will scare it to death, but youre looking for some way to kill it??????
> I *KNOW I”M NOT READING THIS*!!!! > THE BEST WAY? HOLY **** > GO TO THE VET!!!!! > > Alisa >
I am in total agreement with Alisa, be kind take your companion to the vet. I have had to make that trip it was not pleasant but my little companions did not have to suffer anymore. I just wish that I too had that option. Debi
Is this offer still open, Art, or did it only apply to that one bird? You seemed eager to kill a bird; heres your chance!
************************************************** Whoever said that a dog is “mans best friend” never had a hookbill 🙂 ************************************************** NOTE: The email address in the header is more or -less- altered to foil would-be spamming programs 😉
>Nathan Schulman (njs…@pop.usit.net) wrote: >: An old book (Bates & Busenbark, I think) recommended putting the bird >: in a paper bag and wrap the top of the bag around the exhause pipe of >: your car. The carbon dioxide will kill the bird in a few minutes, >: hopefully, painlessly.
>I think it must be a TFH book–only they could come up with such utter >stupidity.
>I hope to God this is just a troll, buy now Im so mad/upset i cant even >describe it. For one thing, if youve had a bird for 11 1/2 years and you >cant even manage to take it to the vet for the last (first?) time, well, >I dont know what to say. Second, youre worried to vet trip will scare >it to death, but youre looking for some way to kill it??????
As for Nathans reply about the knife, I wonder if hed like someone to do that to him in the end??????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take that bird to a vet. He/she will be able to do it MUCH faster and more painless than any of these methods.
Do not poison, bleed to death, sever his head, frighten or otherwise torture your little bird. Hes been with you a long time, do whats right and give him a dignified last day.
Gloria — Cant keep my eyes from the circling skies, Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit D.J. Gilmour
— Cant keep my eyes from the circling skies, Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit D.J. Gilmour
I didnt say that I approve of the procedure. I merely reported that I read about it in a book. Nathan
Please give thought to yourself also. Are you going to be able to live with yourself knowing that your bird died directly by your hand? Are you willing to have the memory of your birds head being chopped off by your kitchen knife, as someone suggested? It may be scary for your bird to take him to the vet, but remember you will have to live on with the decision that you make? Will you be able to go through with actually ending the birds life on your own? Obviously, it is your decision. Just be sure you can live with it afterwards.
If you quickly pick him up and pop him in a cardboard box, lined with old toweling, and put the lid on tightly, you will be able to take him to a vet.
> >Thanks, > >~Susan Susan have you looked in the phone book for mobile vets- our area have several. Some vets will make house calls under CERTAIN CONDITIONS such as putting an animal to sleep.
> >Nathan Schulman (njs…@pop.usit.net) wrote: >: An old book (Bates & Busenbark, I think) recommended putting the bird >: in a paper bag and wrap the top of the bag around the exhause pipe of >: your car. The carbon dioxide will kill the bird in a few minutes, >: hopefully, painlessly. > >I think it must be a TFH book–only they could come up with such utter >stupidity. > >I hope to God this is just a troll, buy now Im so mad/upset i cant even >describe it. For one thing, if youve had a bird for 11 1/2 years and you >cant even manage to take it to the vet for the last (first?) time, well, >I dont know what to say. Second, youre worried to vet trip will scare >it to death, but youre looking for some way to kill it?????? > >Alisa
Susan, I would think that putting the poor creature in a bag and exposing it to the roar of the engine and the heat and fumes of teh exhaust would scare it to death before the CO does. Either take the bird to the vet and have it euthanized, or let it go in its own time. Teh arthritis may be painful (mine sure it!) but blindness doesnt hurt. If it can take nourishment maybe its best to just let nature do its thing. My $0.02 d.
I promise never to advise an owner when euthanasia is appropriate. You must base your choice on your morals, ethics, and past experiences. Regarding the humaneness of trying to heal a chicken with a broken leg, I have an opinion. You have your opinion. Our differing perspectives stem from how we weigh the worth of prolonging a life against the suffering experienced. We are both correct as long as we weigh the circumstances and decide what’s best for the animal. Of course, we are both wrong as well. Nobody, regardless of experience, ever euthanizes at the perfect time…. We try our hardest and must accept the choices we make.
Keeping these facts in mind, I will outline two euthanasia techniques that backyard chicken keepers may find useful. They ought to be suitable for the great majority of small-scale chicken farmers. I’ll go into graphic detail about them, explain how they operate, and explain why they’re humane. There are other methods that are humane…. I have selected the easiest to use techniques that I believe small flock owners will find most beneficial. Now is a good time for squeamish readers to put down their books.
Now, some general information about euthanasia. I have given these facts careful thought, and I have studied and spent a lot of time persuading myself of these facts:
There is no reason why euthanasia has to be a “do it yourself” procedure. Veterinarians will euthanize birds in most cases…. Even though they frequently don’t feel comfortable diagnosing or treating, they nevertheless carry out this crucial service I would much rather see you complete the task correctly yourself rather than rushing something as significant and sensitive as this if the cost, distance, or other circumstances prevent you from using a veterinarian’s services.
A pained animal can be effectively and humanely put to death by decapitation. Though not instantaneous, it happens very quickly; usually, unconsciousness sets in within 15 to 20 seconds. When the head is removed and the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leaks out of the damaged spinal cord, unconsciousness results. The fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) helps the brain and spinal cord “float” inside the skull and spine. Allowing this to escape will result in a concussion and unconsciousness as the brain makes contact with the skull. Obviously, the loss of blood supply to the brain will result in death. This method’s crucial requirement is that the head MUST be removed in its entirety. It is cruel to cut the bird’s main blood vessels and leave it bleeding to death. Yes…. It is unacceptable for many small flock owners to use the backyard slaughter method. The bird will remain conscious if all of the blood vessels in its neck are severed until its brain’s supply of oxygen runs out. 3-4 minutes later. This process is known as exsanguination, or “bleeding,” and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has declared it to be an INAPPROPRIATE way to kill a bird. You have to render the bird unconscious before you can bleed it (i.e., kill it).
I didnt say that I approve of the procedure. I just mentioned that I came across it in a book. Nathan.
The person who stated that a dog is a person’s best friend was obviously not a hookbill. 🙂 **Note: To prevent potential spamming attempts, the email address in the header has been modified fairly significantly.
Gloria: I can’t take my eyes off the circling skies. I’m a tongue-tied, twisted misfit stuck on Earth. J. Gilmour.
You can take him to the veterinarian if you quickly pick him up, place him in a cardboard box lined with old toweling, and secure the lid.
> >Thanks, > >~Susan Susan have you looked in the phone book for mobile vets- our area have several. In certain situations, such as when an animal needs to be put to sleep, some veterinarians will make house calls.
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