Jubilee began vomiting in mid March 2006. She was rushed to the veterinarian that afternoon. After doing blood tests and checking her poop under a microscope, it was determined that she had a human bacteria and yeast infection. She was hospitalized by the veterinarian for 3 days. I picked her up and took Liberty in to be tested too. He also had a bacterial infection. Both birds received medication for ten days. Just 3 days after finishing that round of medication, I thought Liberty had a runny nose again and called the vet. They were put on an additional two weeks of medication.

While the birds were still being medicated, I entered the hospital for a knee replacement surgery on April 5. On April 12th I was moved to a rehabilitation unit for further recovery before I could be sent home. During this time the birds went to "Camp Sherry" for bird sitting. My friend owns at least a dozen parrots including three cockatiels. I KNEW she was well-qualified to keep a close watch on the birds. Jubilee went downhill although she was kept in a hospital cage at 80-85 degrees F. Liberty clearly recovered (or maybe wasn't sick again to start with). I was kept informed of her behavior during this time. It was obvious to both of us that she was seriously sick because she was clearly losing weight although she was constantly eating.

Jubilee's Death

While I was still in rehab, the very difficult decision was made to have her put to sleep. I don't believe in allowing an animal to continue to suffer. Somehow, I knew in my heart that she would never get well again. I also don't believe in maxing out credit cards in an effort to make a pet well when that pet had already received around $1000 worth of veterinarian care and treatment without recovering. Jubilee had always been a sickly bird, suffering multiple yeast and bacterial infections over the past two and one half years.

My friend made the difficult trip to the vet's office. Dr. Nolam. a certified the avian veterinarian, gently put a gas mask over her face to anesthetize her so she wouldn't even feel the prick of the needle later. My friend marveled at how gentle he was during the procedure. Jubilee is buried up north at Sherry's own pet cemetery.

Following the procedure, After putting her to sleep, Dr. Nolan weighed her and much to our surprise, she had actually gained 6 grams during the past month although she looked much thinner. Dr. Nolan immediately said that only a tumor would cause her to gain weight and look so thin at the same time. He also stated that it would have been prohibitively costly to try to even get a comprehensive diagnosis and to provide cancer treatment. If she were his bird, he would have put her to sleep.

A Long Day

It was painful for me to wait in my rehabilitation room, eat meals, and go through the rehabilitation procedures while waiting to hear the news that life was over for Jubilee. It was only after my friend stopped to tell me what had transpired and what r. Nolan said that I finally experienced a wave of peace over my decision to have her put to sleep. It was a very painful experience, particularly since I was incapacitated myself and unable to be the one to make that final trip to the vet office. At least she was with a family friend until the end.

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