Bos Page

BO HAS CANCER - Written by his caretaker

Bo's histology report came in. He has osteosarcoma. The abscess/tumor was actually the cancer forming its own bone if I understood her correctly through the tears. I have to go up there for a bandage change so we can cover where he re-mutilated (this is an unscheduled visit his real visit is Fri the 9th).

Chemo is not really an option for it is very hard on birds. There is very slight chance that my vet removed it all and the only way to tell for sure is a cat scan. My vet does not have a cat scan machine and the one she would be using is located at an animal hospital that is not experienced in birds. She and a tech would have to travel to do the anesthesia. The cat scan to see if there is any detectable cancer is $1200 guesstimate.

As those of you whom i have been e-mailing w/ regarding Bo know .... this bird and I have a very special bond that I do not even share w/ my other birds. I do not know what it is ... it's like our souls have met in the past. The idea of fostering him and giving me up was killing me; now I would give anything to know that he would of had a long and happy life in a home that loved him. I feel so lost and helpless ...

I will pick up a copy of the histology report when I go. I will scan it in and post it. If any of you have any REALLY, REALLY experienced vet's please share the report w/ them. Please ask if there is anything to do for Bo aside from chemo.

Bo LOOKS so happy and is LOOKING healthier ... I can not believe life can be so cruel. Has this poor soul not been thru enough?? I'm angry ... birds SELDOM get cancer .... WHY BO? How ironic ... I thought part of my attachment to Bo was because of his name being the same as my dog Bo who I lost to cancer .... now I will one day lose this Bo. These birds are supposed to outlive me. Bo is the sweetest most gentle soul I have EVER met ... including my own birds. No bird deserves this. I'm confused and rambling I am sorry.

I have stepped out of the closet in where Bo is because I seriously don't think that the pet store will be breathing down my neck for this bird. This bird that did not need medical attention .... Would Bo's prognosis been any better had I found him sooner? God I hope not for I could not handle finding out that things could of been different. Why is all I can ask right now ... why? May the pain and suffering that Bo has endured and will endure be placed upon his breeders. Sorry but I am full of hate today ... hate for breeders and pain for this precious bird. May Bo's story live on in everyone's memory even after he is gone.

I hope that by sharing this story, it will save at least one bird in need from heartbreak, torture and self-destruction.

This Moluccan Cockatoo was found in the storage froom of a pet store. He had been dumped on the store by his former owner, who had called asking if the store would take her "Red Crested Macaw". He had a self inflicted the huge hole you see in his chest, for which his owner was disappointed. He had a discharge from his nose. The room was unheated. He was grossly under weight. The store owners stated that "he did not need medical help." "This is what Cockatoos do." "He will be fine." Someone offered to take the bird to the vet and pay for his medical care. The store refused. A few people even contacted the store and offered money to the store to get the bird to a vet, or to give it to someone who would. The store stated they had promised to give the bird to "a friend". After about a week Bo was freed from his death sentence at the pet store.

He was immediately taken to the vet. He had a raging infection in his chest wound. He also had mites, lice and other parasites. Bo was kept at the vet and scheduled for surgery the following morning. He was given vitamin shots, pain medication, antibiotics and other medically necessary treatments to help stablize him for surgery. He had to be given IV fluids and have his surgery postponed until the afternoon because he was so dehydrated and malnourished, while a vet tech held him close to keep him calm and comfortable.

The vet bills have reached to be far more than anyone expected. Bo will still have weekly visits to have more tests performed and receive ongoing medical treatment for an indefinite period of time. The damage to his chest far exceded what the vet had anticipated therefore more corrective surgery on his chest is a possibility. He has ecoli, which is being treated by yet another antibiotic. A second opinion is being sought and if it concludes the same, he will undergo a CT scan to identify whether or not there is any more cancer. His sutures have been removed and he is gaining weight and even regrowing some of this chest feathers. This guy has an amazing will to live and a huge personality.

It amazes me that someone can just up and dump such an amazing creature (or any animal for that matter) with no thought to their future, especially with their lifespan. Owning a parrot is a LIFE LONG committment. One you should not take lightly. With all of the information available today, there is no excuse for a bad decision. Abuse, neglect, abandonment ... this is much more common than you think.

After 8 months, BoBo has crossed over the R A I N B O W B R I D G E - this is an exert from his caretaker, a loving, kind, and exceptional woman who took care of this wonderful creature when no one else did:

At 10:30 AM on August 12th of 2006, Bo spread his wings and flew to the land of his ancestors. His wings are no longer butchered by man's hands, his chest no longer bare, never again to sit behind cage bars like a prisoner .... he is free from pain and mankind. Please do not wait for me my precious BoBo .... fly free w/ your wild relatives and do not fear their calls .... that is a call of rejoice, a call to welcome you home.

You were a star that just shone too bright and you burned out too fast. I pity those that dumped you and could not see past your outer flaws because you had the purest spirit, the most beautiful soul that I ever had the privilege of sharing my life with .... you were perfect. Many loved you thru your story and your pictures ... I so wish they could of met you ... to think you touched and brought together so many with them never meeting you .... if only they could of known you as I did.

Sadly your body must suffer one last mutilation caused by man, but this time it is to see if your brothers and sisters are safe. I am sorry that is the only answer. Did you sacrifice your life my love in order to give me peace of mind for all your brothers and sisters? To give us answers? You were so giving ... part of me can't help but believe it. Your soul is free and a soul you did have. I am wearing your leg band on my wedding finger sweetheart ... because our souls were married. I promised you a home for the rest of your life ... little did I know it would be 8 short months. I hope I loved you enough, I hope I comforted you enough .... I wish you well on your many journeys to come my darling w/ an old soul. I ask that you do not remember me ... I ask this for I want you to remember nothing of mankind and what they put you thru in your 10 short years of life. Be at peace my friend and fly free for all of eternity.