Posted July 16, 200816 yr Recently I had to travel to New Zealand to attend my Grandad's funeral. As I knew this was going to be a tough time I asked my husband to accompany me. This now posed us a problem. Who was going to look after the budgie and the dog? Last time I had to go away I left my birds ( I only have one now) with my Dad, and I found out when I went to pick them up that he was housing them in the garage - with the car . So I was not going to leave my little man with him this time. My little dog is 17 and a half and is going blind and deaf, so I no longer put her in the kennels. We had to think hard about who could come and stay and decided on a friend who is single and who has had a lot of experience looking after both dogs and budgies. Anyway, when I returned from NZ, Sunnie was going through a massive moult and I thought it might have been the stress of having a stranger looking after him. That night when I went to cook tea I even noticed feathers in the oven, can you see where I am going? After speaking to our friend it turns out he put some fish fingers in the oven to grill for breakfast and went off to have a shower. We had asked him to let Sunnie have his regular fly around in the morning not thinking he would leave him unattended. Which of course is what happened. Now Sunnie never usually goes into the kitchen but I guess he was left alone and went exploring (we also don't cook when he is loose either). Well he explored himself right into the oven and couldn't get out. Our friend returned from his shower and went to get his breakfast and found Sunnie sitting on the floor of the oven, he picked him up and put him back in his cage. I still feel sick when I think what could have happened . Oh, and our friend also gave our dog fleas. He must have got them off his dog!
July 16, 200816 yr If he was using the grill setting the oven door would have been open Ahh...we don't have that on our oven. thank you for the explanation.
July 16, 200816 yr He needs to see the vet. He may have burns and skin damage not immediately apparent and that may be why he is losing feathers. Check his feet for burns and damage. If a grill was on hot enough to cook fish fingers it would be hot enough to damage a budgie.
July 16, 200816 yr I am with Kaz I think a vet visit is in need. Where abouts in Australia are you? Next time you go away hit up the forum least some of us know what is what with birds.
July 16, 200816 yr The poor boy I agree - vet trip! The oven grill gets very hot!!! What were they thinking cooking with the grill unattended in the first place - they could burn down their house
July 16, 200816 yr Author Thanks for your concern. I got home nearly a week after the 'event' and Sunnie was his usual self, apart from moulting. I checked him over when I found out what had happened and he appeared to come out of his ordeal unscathed. A very lucky escape. The way it was explained to me by our friend he was on the floor of the oven. The grill is at the top. Although the oven would have been warm, I think he was found in time. I agree totally that our friend shouldn't have put the grill on and left the room. For the foreseable future I think if I have to travel again my husband will have to stay at home. I live in Tweed Heads by the way AV. Edited July 16, 200816 yr by Jac
July 16, 200816 yr He needs to see the vet. He may have burns and skin damage not immediately apparent and that may be why he is losing feathers. Check his feet for burns and damage. If a grill was on hot enough to cook fish fingers it would be hot enough to damage a budgie. Excellent point, I am glad you said that I didn't even think about it
July 16, 200816 yr I really hope that he is okay! Alot of people aren't aware of the dangers that are around the home - I treat Mac ( Indoor Budgie Now back with us for good ) like one of the kids - I look out for the lid on the fish tank making sure it is on - that the fans aren't on - Mac isn't allowed in the Lounge room as the Fire place is on 24/7 and he could land on or near it and get burnt , All Kids drink that are left on the table he could fly and land in it ...... And I do not have him in the house while I am cleaning due to the smells . Keep us updated
July 17, 200816 yr Author Hi, I am grateful for all your concerns. Sunnie has finished moulting and is fitting fit. He is looking very handsome. I think I have suffered more from his ordeal than him Neat I too treat my pets with just the same concern as my daughter. I have always been of the opinion that when you take on a pet, you take them on for life. My daughter has been brought up that if the dog growled at her or the cat scratched her then she must have done something to provoke them, because they wouldn't do it for no reason. In my home the pets have equal standing with the humans. I thought I had found a good person to look after Sunnie and Lucy (my dog) but I have realised not everyone is as cautious as us. Fortunately, Sunnie had a narrow escape and is happy and healthy and has suffered no ill effects.
July 17, 200816 yr That is good news. It is hard to find carers who will care for our pets as we would. Good luck with your new pet sitter. Thanks for the update
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