Jitterbug
Bird ID: C2005016
Species: Parakeet
Sex: Unknown
Sub-Species: Standard Budgie
Health Status: Deceased
Good with Kids: Unknown
Well Socialized: Unknown
Adoption status: Unavailable

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From Jitterbug's mom: I'm sorry to say that Jitterbug died on June 13, 2005. Over the last few months, she continued to self-mutilate on and off, and a few weeks ago, she had a particularly bad episode. We had seen this from her before, so we thought she would recover as usual. But instead, she continued to lose weight although she was eating well, slept almost all the time, and generally looked like a very sick bird. In addition to all the tests that were done previously, we decided to do a skin biopsy, but that also didn't give us any answers, and there were no other diagnostic tests that could have helped solve the mystery. We miss her very much, but at least she is no longer suffering from whatever it was that drove her to self-mutilation. Jitterbug has always been quite tame and during her last few days, she wanted to be with me more than ever. I am so glad that I was able to hold and comfort her during that time, right up until the end. I hope that she is enjoying perfect health and happiness in her budgie afterlife. UPDATE 1/3/05: Jitterbug's foster Mom adopted her and here's the latest report: "We have been through a lot of ups and downs with Jitterbug. She seems happy and appears to be getting better overall, but sometimes she reverts back to biting her own leg. We don't know why she does that, but we want to keep her in a familiar and comfortable environment and help her get well. Besides, my husband and I fell in love with this tiny bird, and there is no way we can let her go now! UPDATE 11/8/04: Here's the latest from Jitterbug's foster Mom! "Jitterbug is still being treated for metal toxicity. The medication she has been taking hasn't had the desired effect, and follow-up blood tests continued to show a high level of zinc. We are starting another round of medication and hope to get rid of the poison in her body soon. Although she must not be feeling very well, she is the sweetest little bird. She puts up with all the handling and medicating without making a fuss (wouldn't dream of biting!), and she likes to sit on my shoulder and peek out from underneath my ponytail. Hi, I'm Jitterbug, a tiny budgie from Sacramento. My former owner liked having me as her pet, but she didn't know what a little bird needed to be healthy and happy. I was living in a dark house, in a very small cage. I didn't have any toys and I was fed only seeds. One day, my former owner came home to find blood all over the cage because I had been biting my leg. She took me to a vet for emergency treatment, but with her own medical problems, she couldn't afford any further vet care. Lucky for me, she called Mickaboo! Two very nice Mickaboo volunteers drove me all the way to the Bay Area to be seen by an avian specialist. The doctor found a bacterial infection and metal toxicity in my system. The metal poisoning is probably from chewing on my old cage (did I mention that I didn't have any toys?). I have to wear a collar for a while to let my leg heal, and I have to take some yucky medicine to get rid of the metal toxins in my body, but soon I should be as good as new and prettier than ever. The good news is that I'm learning quickly that there are better things to do besides biting myself and chewing on my cage. Like trying out all kinds of new toys, for example, and getting exercise climbing and hopping around my big new cage, or just sitting happily on a comfy perch, enjoying fresh air and sunlight. My foster mom says that I am happier every day, and that I am a very sweet and gentle little bird. I step up and sit on her shoulder, and I give tiny kisses. I even let her rub my head when I feel like it. I'm only about four years old, so there are many more happy years left in this bug's life, and I'd love to spend them with you.

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