My Toucan Rocko's Necropsy Results SHOCKED Me 😳😡😢
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- I got Rocko's necropsy results and wanted to be transparent enough to be willing to share them. I don't understand them, but here are the results. Also a huge thank you to everyone who has shown me support during this time. It has not gone unnoticed.
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217 CEDAR STREET 401
SANDPOINT, ID 83864
MY BIRDS (Oldest to Youngest) 🐦❤
BONDI 💗 Galah | hatched 2005
CRESSI 💗 Congo African Grey | hatched 2007
BANDIT 💙 Galah | hatched 2008-2019 💔
JINX 💙 Blue Throat Macaw | hatched 2008
COMET 💙 Yellow-Dominant Camelot Macaw | hatched 2008
TUSA 💙 Blue-Green Dominant Camelot Macaw | hatched 2008
ROCKO 💙 Toco Toucan | hatched 2011-2022 💔
LILY, PHOEBE & DETKA 💗 Sun Conures | hatched 2011
BLUEBERRY 💗 Budgie | hatched June 2019
😍 ABOUT US 😍
BirdTricks is a husband-wife team; Dave and Jamieleigh Womach specialize in parrot training and companionship.
#parrots #birds #parrottraining
I'm a human med lab tech. It's incredible hearing you be so open and vulnerable about what you and Rocco went through. This disease is genetic in humans as well, and it sounds like it plays out in a very similar way.
One thing I wanted to say is don't beat yourself up for not finding an answer sooner. I can't speak for birds, but in humans, we can sustain quite high levels of organ damage with hereditary hemochromatosis before showing any symptoms at all. I've seen patients with ferratin (storage iron for humans) levels that were so high the analyzer I use couldn't even get a measurement... and the patients only started showing symptoms at those levels.
This is not your fault. You do everything for your birds. You had no way to know this was happening.
Thank you for all of the work you put in. The internet is blessed to have you.
This. And it’s further exacerbated by bird behavior. I was warned when I rescued my first bird to not blame myself if they suddenly die. Because most birds won’t show anything is wrong until they are dying/dead. I only have cockatiels left but they’re over 20 so each morning I brace a little, telling myself I did my best.
If in humans, how does one know? And what can one do?
My dad has hemachromatosis and he wasn’t aware until he donated blood, which he had done before. It ended up effecting his heart and now has to have regularly scheduled blood letting if his iron gets too high. I’m so sorry Rocko had this too.
we love a med tech ❤️
I cried as much as you did over Rocco. I lost a 37 year old Blue Crown conure because of feeding issues that was my Fault. I'll never get over it.
I believe him and Bandit have alot of catching up to do, hes definitely up there telling him about How you, Dave and Capri miss him and how much yall have grown as a family, they are both close to your hearts no matter where you are or go, RIP Rocco, the best fruit loop anyone could ever have met
Love this! ❤️
I'm so sorry for your loss. Rocco will always be in your heart and you will forever be his mama 🙏
Jamie, my heart goes out to you and your family during this time of mourning! I just recently found Birdtricks and all your UA-cam videos about 3 months ago. Know that you have helped my family and our feathered babies for the best! You saved our relationship with our first bird and have gave us the tools needed to be a happy, healthy, loving bird home! We couldn’t have done this with out you! I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for our family!!! Sending all our love to you during this time!
Thank you! Hearing your success with your birds helps more than you can imagine! ❤️
You did the best , as you always do, you could do for sweet sweet Rock’os. He was well loved no one can say otherwise. Love and hugs.
The poem just destroyed me! Around the time when you lost Rocko, I was losing my cat Seus, and his whole story has been resonating with me way too much. Hearing the poem, I just remembered my baby. May we love them forever, because they loved us more. May we meet them wherever they are, someday many years from now, so that we can rest and cuddle again.
I am a momma bird myself with about 40 bird babies.
I don't get to watch your channel a lot but when I do, I am amazed at what you do for your babies. I saw Rocko and cried when he passed. I know the feeling of losing a loved bird. I am crying again now watching you & hearing all the lovely people who reached out. Stay happy. You are the best momma bird ever!!!
I'm sitting here crying, and sending your family lots of love and hoping you heal asap from this devastating loss. 🥺 I almost was in a similar position with Cheeky my Goffin cockatoo on March, she fell very ill and I was told she had kidney disease and renal failure, only for the vet to say since she bounced back so well with meds she actually doesn't have that and should live a normal life. My father told me Cheeky had days to live, and I too, felt robbed of time. I am so grateful she recovered from the infection or whatever it was that made her so sick. It is so frustrating when the vet has no idea how to prevent these things, my vet doesn't know what got Cheeky so sick suddenly. I was always so envious of your adorable toucan cuddles with Rocko, and I am so very sorry he was taken from you so soon. Just know he loves you and is waiting for you in heaven. 💕💕🕊🦜
I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't have parrots, but I love animals, and love learning about them, and I have a lot of respect for your channel and what you do. As I understand, toucans are not easy pets by ANY stretch. But I would trust you with one, so I know you did all you could. The hardest part of owning pets is not the destroyed furniture, not the clean up, not the training frustration. The hardest part of owning all pets is saying good bye.
Hugs to you and your family. You gave him a beautiful and wonderful life. You are an amazing amazing trainer. Hugs darling.
Beautiful and oh so sad video! I cried with you and my heart is hurting! So sorry for your loss Jamie, but you were so loved by Rocko, may you carry your memories of him with you forever and God Bless🙏❤️
The powder coated aviaries would be expected to "shed" iron from corroded spots even microscopic corrosion, If he was licking water off the cage bars that might have been a source. I assume that toucans don't really chew on cage bars. Thanks for posting this information even though is is still so sad and raw for you to discuss. Sorry for your loss.
Iron bowls could play a role
I recently lost a cat in March, my baby girl Mouse. She was going to be 2 in July, I miss her every day and its been killing me. This video unexpectedly helped so much, the comments on here and in the video are so beautiful and made me see the brighter side of the pain, however hard it is to see. Thank you everyone here and I hope you have an easier time grieving for Rokko, its so clear how much you loved him throughout your videos
I love the way you love your birds. My condolences for Rocko’s passing. It’s never easy to lose something you love.
So sorry for your loss
I realize that I have never met you but sweet JamieI see your huge heart and I love you like a sister!
God bless and keep and hold you in the depths of your heart.
Wish I had better words, just know that my heart is so with you. ❤️❤️❤️
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
I just had to make a hard choice for my best friend Zena (she was a pit bull) and was suffering with hemangiosarcoma. She gave me a whole year that I shouldn't have had. Her symptoms were also symptoms of cushings disease and she was diagnosed. We treated her for three days for Cushing's before her cancer finally caught up to her. It was the hardest, and easiest, choice I've ever had to make. It's been a month and I'm still devastated. There are so many things you don't realize they have become a part of in you routines. But one thing has always stood out, I was honored with being the person that loved her enough to truly take care of her. To be trusted to make hard choices. To be trusted to find the right doctors, and do the best I could with the information I had. You were your boy's right person. You were his biggest advocate. You were the person he needed to be his voice. I'm so glad he had you. What an honor it is to love someone so much that it hurts this bad to lose them.
As I say to my girl; love isn't big enough, and forever wouldn't be long enough.
I am so sorry for your loss. You are amazing bird parents. You did the best you knew how. My heart goes out for you. You obviously love your birds
Never have I seen any of your videos before but I’m sitting here crying…
Sending love and light for your healing… I’m sure Rocko is soaring and watching over you❤️❤️❤️
I'm so very, very sorry for your loss of gorgeous Rocko. No-one could possibly have done more to give him a better, loving life or diet than you and your family. Sending you hugs and prayers from Australia where you have so many people watching your videos. Today's was very hard to watch, but please know how you and your beautiful birds touch so many people across the world and yes, your are saving not one, but many with your heartfelt advice.
I'm a nurse and just coming across this video. To me they need to find out what is causing the iron storage. It seems it can't be iron from food. It makes sense to me that giving them food with iron would exacerbate the issue by giving them more iron to actually store , but what is causing their body to store it? Maybe that's something that they should look into if they haven't already. So sorry for this loss. I'm not a bird owner but I have dogs and we've had to put dogs down previously. It's just like losing a family member, and maybe even harder If you're the one that had to make the choice to end their suffering. My heart is with you.
Thank you for sharing! ❤️💜🤗💜❤️
It never gets any easier losing a feathered baby. I just know that one day when I get to those pearly gates that all my pets that I've had in the past will be there to meet me again! I look forward to seeing them again! Until then we think of them with love and miss them so much it hurts. But our love for them never wavers. Prayers to you and your family for your loss.
That’s exactly how I believe heaven will be. We’ll be welcomed by our pets, then our human loved ones.
We are trying to do all what we can do to take care of our lovely birds and pets. Don't blame yourself. You took care of Rocko with all your knowledge, passion and love! Rocko knows that.......I am happy you share all with us. I really learn much from you. Thinking of you.
Thanks a lot Dave, now my face is covered in tears. It is so hard to watch this(especially with the music) it’s weird to grieve about a bird I never met. I hate seeing you guys sad. It breaks my heart every time. Very beautiful message… but crying today wasn’t on the list… :( I love you guys.
Could have gotten Haemachromatosis prior to living/ getting adopted by you? You were so diligent and it was never your fault regardless. He was such a beautiful bird and he was in your life because you and your family were meant for him. I’m so sorry that this is so hard and I guess it’s a part of having pets but it doesn’t make it any easier. Sending you love and positivity from Vancouver, Canada 🇨🇦🥰❤️
stay strong you can do this.
My heart broke for you guys with the loss of Rocko. Bandai hurt as well, but Rocko is the only Toucan I've ever known and he was such a character and it was so amazing to learn from you! I grew up with parakeets, would love to have a bird or two someday, but I can barely handle a dog!🤣
So thank you for sharing all that you do. Thank you from Montana 🙏🏻💕🙏🏻
I remember when Brock went through this. It was so hard. I hope that you make it through just as well as he did!
It's so hard when there aren't any answers, Just know that you both shared love for each other while he was here in your life and that will get you through. I'm like you, I do the research and go the preventative route for all my animals, so carefully that I hear that I'm over the top as well, so hearing that no matter what you did, and it was the best, that it didn't matter. sometimes, we aren't meant to know the reasons why, and are given no explanations to our questions. We just have to trust that we did our best, and you certainly did Jaime. Love and light to you..
You need to always share Rockos memories with everyone as it is healing, not only for you & your family, but for the subscribers who also love your family & feathered family. Even when it hurts and the pain never truly goes away, it does lesson with time & the sadness is replaced with smiles when you think of him. You need to commemorate a pin or set of earrings, or a memorial bracelet that every one wears when they are supporting a cause or loved one. This will also allow other's to also grieve and mourn for Rocko, those who knew Rocko through your channel. Sending loving hugs & healing energy to you & your whole family. I didn't know Rocko's story until today, 10-1-2022, & my heart is breaking. I think you were an amazing Toucan Mama & he loved you so much. May the memories always remain & keep the tears from being pain, & replaced with happiness of your time together, until you meet again.
Jamie u are an amazing person and rocko is always with u he's no longer in pain I loved watching u and rocko always remember the memories
Thank you for sharing that very touching video❣ Jamieleigh. 🤗 Huge hugs. 🤗 Reminds me that every day is so precious and to give my very best just like you did for Rocko, and continue to do for the rest of your flock and family and followers and clients. My CAG Coco sent you about a thousand sweet kisses during that video and now to try to cheer you up, he's a really caring guy. It sounded like he said "Roco" instead of his usual "Coco" twice after the video ended. Not perfect pronunciation of "Rocko", but it seems like he was trying for you ❤. My heart goes out to you. Sending huge hugs. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
I am very sorry for you
Thank you for sharing your grief, your love and your story.
Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest with your emotions.
I’m so so glad that you have people around you that love you.
I’m not a doctor or anything like that, but I was wondering if fruit, and the way it’s grown could contain and/or store iron - or more iron than it would in other growing conditions.
I have no clue about how all of this stuff works, but it was just something that I started thinking about when you mentioned that the vet didn’t know how this had occurred.
I like looking for the lessons, what I can learn from a situation, what I might use going forward.
Right now, what I do see, what I do know and can remember going forward is that you are surrounded by people who love you and only want good things for you.
And, hundreds of thousands of those amazing humans, are people you have never met -
and that’s pretty phenomenal.
Right Now
There’s a network of people, thinking kind and caring thoughts, in places all around the world, all in different languages with different cultures....
it’s freaking amazing how great people can be when we come together, even if it’s just to see a smile on your face, share your tears and really just want to help you heal your heart.
I think that’s pretty cool 🙂❤️🐿
In many ways Rocco won the bird lottery. He could not of had a better caregiver. Now he gets to play with all the other wonderful animals over at the Rainbow Bridge while he waits for you to join him.
don't beat yourself up over this. Just like people, birds sometimes get sick with things for no real reason. It was your commitment to being vigilant against iron storage disease that kept him acting so healthy even when he wasn't and likely did prolong his comfort and life. Be glad that you listened to your vet and tried something, anything, even if it ended up not working. You took the chance that it would work and that means the world
So sad to lose a feathered friend. Its hard to reacreate what would be a healthy environment and diet for an exotic animal that were living naturally free in nature rather than domestic in captivity by simulation.
As a parrot owner myself with my Double Yellow Headed Amazon Sumo 24yrs old and my Blue and Gold Macaw Yoda 15 years old. Both of them I hand raised since being on formula and had no idea what I was doing. I'm just now learning about a lot of things I should and shouldn't have been feeding them all these years later. It's a wonder they have lived this long. I would be devastated if something happened to either one of them.
When I was a kid I used to go to this pet store and see this cool looking huge pink Molucann Cockatoo. He cost a fortune, but I told myself when I get grown I'm going to buy a parrot and I did. But for all the wrong reasons. I remember when PETA went on a campaign to stop the sale of exotic parrots in pet stores which was a good thing. They were successful for the most part because I haven't seen one in a pet store since.
As much as I love having my birds I know in my heart is the best life they could have had was free in the wild. It's too late that now because they are domesticated. As owners we can try to give them the best life we can as pets, but it's always going to be second rate to being in their natural habitat. What's left of it that hasn't been destroyed.
Amazing job on this video!!! You are a wonderful loving person. I love seeing on all these bird sites people recommending your bird tricks show. Your love for the birds is priceless and you guys have taught so many so much things about birds. Keep up the awesome job you and your family are amazing and the babies you have lost are your angels watching over you and your flock. It is hard not to be sad and miss but they truly want to see you happy on our short time we have on this earth. Thank you for everything you are doing!!!!
Wish I could give you the biggest hug
What would Rocco eat in the wild? Fruit has a lot of sugar. Sorry for your loss.
💔 Maybe have his food independently analyzed. The company could have iron in it by accident or even intentionally to make more money with less processing. Who knows!? But it's possible! So very sorry for your loss. You did your VERY best. Everything happens for a reason. You will find out in God's time! May God bless you with happiness again soon. Take care. 🙏🙏🙏 💚💚
What is the poem you recited at the end of the video? It's just beautiful
((SO MANY HUGS))
Was there any metal in his toys, cage, outdoor enclosure, etc. that he could have gotten iron from? Maybe he was extra susceptible to it genetically. In any case, it's obvious that you live your birds and take very good care of them.
That poem is beautiful. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I am sorry, I can feel your pain. You gave him your best and he knows he was loved. But this about diet confuses me because it looks like that no one knows what is the best diet for them so that iron- storage disease never happen and in that case that's confusing to the owners because it would be nice to know how to aviod that and it seems like no one knows.
This may be a stupid question, but could there be any way that something in his environment exposed him to iron in any way? just curious, since you really did seem to do everything right diet wise amd it's really hard to imagine anything slipping by your watchful eyes.
So sorry for your loss, it is hard to move on when one feels like a crucial piece of themself is missing
Maybe this should tell us, even with your excellent care and more love than a bird can handle, that toucans should not be kept in captivity. They are stunningly beautiful and full of character, but maybe need to be viewed from afar. Or maybe they are like some plants, and need to be ignored and unwatered. Just kidding on the latter.
Toucans sadly come with a lot of health issues more often than not
Maybe there are plants/fruits in their wild natural diet that are natural iron Chelators?
Or iron absorbtion inhibitors?
I’m so sorry. As an engineer I would have food and filtered water tested. “Supposed to” doesn’t mean it’s fact. Especially the food because if iron is slipping into food it will accept others
The only thing I can add to this is I just get the feeling you are beating yourself up over the outcome to Bandit and Rocko. Everyone grieves at their own pace and there is nothing wrong with that. Beating yourself up however is just a loss of quality time with your family both human and feathered. Obviously you are a lady of action. Sometimes there just isn't any action we can take to change how things turn out regardless of our drive. I'm quite sure both Bandit and Rocko are well aware that you did everything you could to make their lives the best they could be. What wouldn't make them happy is you beating yourself up over the outcome.
So here is a letter Abraham Lincoln wrote. I will slightly modify it but I think it fits.
"It is with deep grief that I learn of the death of your kind and brave Rocko; and, especially, that it is affecting your young heart beyond what is common in such cases. In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it. I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You can not now realize that you will ever feel better. Is not this so? And yet it is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have had experience enough to know what I say; and you need only to believe it, to feel better at once. The memory of your dear Rocko, instead of an agony, will yet be a sad sweet feeling in your heart, of a purer, and holier sort than you have known before.""
Could the extra iron have come from the iron bowls in his cage.
Wow, that really is a shocking finding and it has reopened you to the grief that you were starting to deal with. If it wasn’t the food and it wasn’t the water that caused Rocko’s iron accumulation, then there must be some other environmental source of iron that toucans are susceptible to. Maybe absorption through the skin or the bill?
Yes, I wonder about iron in metal like toys or even the cage. But there’s probably tiny amounts of iron in most food, and maybe it just added up over time since he couldn’t metabolize it at all. Who knows? Could this have even been treated? Poor baby.
Please don't hate yourself for this. You did what you thought was right for Rocko. We all saw that! The love that you have for all of your birds is very evident. The compassion you have for all creatures, including humans, can be seen in everything you do. I hope you find peace in knowing he is no longer in pain and his love for you is endless.
I somehow have to pull myself together to go to work and make it through the day. Sending you light, love, and warm thoughts.
🥰
Man I wish I could give you a hug. It’s so hard when the best advice out there still isn’t perfect. You gave Rocko the best life anyone could have ❤️
Absolutely! Any birb that's had the pleasure of owning this family is the one of the luckiest ever ! ❤️
I remember learning about this in my internship. It surprised me. I was told that it was pretty impossible to avoid in captivity because nothing we feed them is anything close to what they would eat in the wild. We used the same pellets as you mentioned as well. But also many fruits. The really bizarre thing I learned as well was that depending on how the fresh foods are processed affected the availability of iron. Example freezing fruits can increase the availability of iron, so fresh of frozen was very important as well as high water content foods.
Overall their take was that Toucans lifespans are dramatically reduced in captivity no matter how you care for them. No matter how much love we give them. It’s the opposite of what happens with most animals. Houdini was the light of my day, every day I worked. Even on the days he would whack me on my head while I stand o. The ladder to fill his food and water bowls. Lol
I am sorry for your loss. I am so grateful for your training and the advice you give. I know it has changed many birds lives for the better. Many peoples as well❤️
I wonder if there's some food they eat in the wild that allows them to more easily deal with iron but we just haven't been able to determine it. Either that or it is a hereditary issue as some other comments mention the possibility of. I don't know if we're still getting in new genes via wild populations or not, but if capturing wild birds is not allowed anymore then I can see it being a genetic issue.
I believe the answer to the iron storage disease is simple. Toucans should not live in captivity. The diet that is natural to them cannot be reproduced in captivity.
I'm so sorry Rocco couldn't stay, and it's so hard to understand how it could be iron storage when you did everything to prevent it. Thanks to you, Dave and Capri, Rocco had the best human family he could have hoped for. You will see him again, so try to think of all the good years you shared. Jamie, we appreciate you letting us know what you have learned, this could not have been easy.
Thank you ❤️
I am First Nation, we believe animals are our teachers. You learn well. Creator gave us many wonderful animal as. The winged ones are closest to him. As they fly high in sky. I could not live in a world without them. Walking the path of grief with you! Hugs! ❤️
I think when you take on the responsibility to teach, the good and the bad needs to be shared. Anything that helps someone else is all a teacher can do. Well done.
I love you for sharing this precious time with us and I pray that soon the pain will subside and the shadows of loss will disappear and all you have left are the love you experienced through him and all the bright, happy memories you two built together.
We all do our best to love and care for our "kids", the most important being love.
Rocco knew you love him
From a fellow teacher, thanks.
You followed his diet in such a strict way that it’s so hard to believe that it made no difference. I hope this encourages mazuri to fix their food, because obviously it’s not working like they think.
I’m so incredibly sorry and I realize that my words are so small compared to your giant loss. There are many arms around you holding you tight ❤️. Loved that poem
I can only imagine the incredulous, disbelieving reaction you and Dave must have had to the necropsy results. You were so careful and nurturing of Rocko. It gives me comfort to know that the outpouring of support you've gotten for the loss of your feathered family member continues to lift you up; it is a difficult journey and each person has to walk their own path of recovery. Take gentle and loving care of yourself and your beautiful family, human and avian; it will be the best tribute to Rocko and Bandit both. 'Every day is a gift; tomorrow is never guaranteed.' 💛🌈💛
I'm not a cryer but damn... when I first learned of this and watched every video of his updates I cried. I know we can all relate to that special unique bond that you can only have with birds. How it rips a part of our soul out immediately when we lose them. I thought I could get through this video without crying because enough time had past.... how very wrong I was. With how much you have given us, I know a lot of us would give up something without hesitation so you can come home and cuddle with your Rocko again. To what it's worth, your very existence is so important to us and our feathered soul mates. I believe in you and everything you do. May happy memories of him heal the wound on your soul. We love you Jamieleigh!
You just brought on more water works!
It makes me wonder if toucans store excessive iron through a different process than we know. Or if they somehow convert certain proteins to iron...and they need to eat specific foods to cancel it out in the wild.
yeh, has to be the cancel out I think, but looking it up & one of the results I got was from birdtricks & already feeding their toucan (from 2009) tea to lower the iron. Seems to be quite a few chemical options to lower iron, such as tannins, phenols etc that bind with iron & stop it being absorbed, so there must be something in the natural diet that the birds are eating in the wild everyday that's stopping the problem I'm thinking, some sort of leaves or something that no-one's really noticed as important in the diet or thought can be replaced with other foods without fully understanding what they're doing
It could even be something like cacao (raw chocolate), ie something captive bird owners are conditioned to think of as bad for birds & never feed to them, but that originates from the same place as toucans, so maybe something like that is a big part of their wild diet & preventing this problem? (tea, coffee & chocolate are all listed as foods that bind with iron & stop it's absorption)
@@mehere8038 yes exactly! I feel a bird tricks trip to the natural habitat of toucans and observing, studying their feeding habits in the wild would be a great idea, and something all toucan owners and bird lovers need to see.
@@mehere8038 Do they ever strip tree bark
@@SobrietyandSolace I have absolutely no idea for toucans. I know my lorikeets LOVE stripping bark, but toucans I have no idea at all, I really don't even know what they can & can't do with those beaks
@@technoraptor7778 agreed. Would be great for a university somewhere to set up a full study on it too, or maybe even some birdwatching groups? I don't know if bird watchers do that sort of thing or not. Would be great, with the way tech is going now to be able to put some cameras on some wild birds too, or if that's not possible, maybe gps trackers for a while & then set up cameras in the areas they're found to travel into or spend lots of time in, so that average people can watch. I know years ago there used to be cameras on Sydney Harbour that people could control via their internet to move & zoom & others could watch the feed, something like that at any possible location where the toucans may be accessing something would be great, allow the public to help do the research via the internet :) Maybe even something like the penguin project, where they get people to mark stuff in masses of photos they have from cameras in Antarctica, where they are trying to observe movements & numbers & stuff for research & conservation projects, maybe a combination of these, so track, then cameras, with comments possible, then if something is maybe spotted, cameras fixed on that & ongoing people power surveillance of how many visit & do/eat whatever it is that they may be eating & just keep repeating in area after area until eventually the result is found
Haemochromatosis can be incredibly stealthy, even in humans, until an affect shows up (like diabetes etc) and is an inherited disease (in humans). You did every single thing you could to prevent this for Rocko but it was not possible. What you did achieve for Rocko was an incredibly warm and happy life with much, much love. Take some comfort in the wonderful community you have built through your work and that you have made life better for innumerable companion birds all over the world.
Hemocromatosis runs in my family, I am a carrier. I think this is a good point, and something that should be researched. Unfortunately, treatment means removing blood from the body, which I don't think in a bird is possible. Diet can work in some people, but not all, and the medications didn't work. I think the takeaway is if it was hereditary, there isn't nothing that could have been done besides giving him the best life ever, which he was truly given. ❤
Beautufully said. ❤️
@@kristineteall368 yes my dad has it and I am a carrier. He’s got it under control now but it did affect his heart. He only has to have his blood removed so often. It used to be on a schedule.
@@70Harper , my Dad had it too. And then diabetes as well. He was on a schedule for removing blood and then finally just needed his levels monitored and removed occasionally. But out of the blue he developed kidney issues last year and he had to be hospitalized. They sent him to get dialysis for the first time and he passed away. He had a do not resuscitate order so no life saving measures were taken when his vitals crashed. I believe the hemochromatosis had damaged his heart and kidneys and I know he had some damage to his liver as well. He was doing very well though and had been fairly healthy, only being treated for diabetes and high blood pressure and was on a kidney diet prior to this hospital visit and his death. Please ask your Dad to keep a very close watch on his symptoms and keep his Dr’s away of any changes. Hemochromatosis can be a very insidious disease and I know it is what caused my 73 yr old Dad to die suddenly.
It's so clear that you took every step you could think of to protect him. I remember when I came across your first video on toucans, one of the things that you said was that they are incredibly delicate, I honestly suspect he lived a longer life with you than he would have otherwise. Please don't beat yourself up, sometimes we're just not capable of knowing or doing what an animal needs. I can imagine it feels easier on some level to feel guilty about it, because it implies that you had the control to keep him alive. Sometimes seeing that life is more complex and delicate than we could have been prepared for is hard to digest.
My heart goes out to you and your family as you continue to struggle with Rocko's loss. Despite the necropsy results, you did everything you could to ensure that he had the best & healthiest life possible. As an ornithologist of over 20 years, I truly believe toucans should not be domesticated because so little is known about them. I hope you find peace and happiness in the coming days.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I've never been to your channel before, I'm not sure why youtube recommended this, other than maybe I can offer an emotional support and sympathy for a similar situation.
I lost my heart-dog in 2017. It's been five years, and I'm not over it. Most days I remember him with a laugh, with fondness. Some days I still break down crying because all I want in the world is to come home and have him there. He saved my life in more ways than one. I learned about who I wanted to be as a person because I had to learn how to take care of him. I learned how to be more patient, more kind. I healed from a traumatic childhood with his help. His entire mission in life was to protect me. In 2016/2017 - my mental health got really bad. Undiagnosed and untreated cptsd and ocd nearly took me out. I was at a point in my life where I was holding on just for him - I promised him that I would hold on as long as he was alive, that I would never leave him to be alone without me.
He's the one who held on. He held on long enough for me to get treatment - and then he got sick. He wasn't young, he wasn't old. We had a dozen years, but I'd expected more. I'd expected to lose him to old age. I didn't expect to have my vet sit down and tell me that he had cancer. It was a miracle that I caught it, he said. That I was persistent enough to insist that something needed to be looked at. It was nearly impossible to catch at the stage that I did. Unfortunately ... it wasn't enough. He had cancer in a way that my vet told me was a one in a million shot, and he'd never seen it before himself. It would not be survivable.
I remember sitting in silence, not understanding the words I'd just heard. I'd done everything right to prevent this. It should have been impossible for him to have this. But he did. I hit amazing odds and won the worst lottery in the world. My dog comforted me as I sat in shock, put his head on my knee and looked at me like, "It's okay. It's okay, we're okay. I'm here, you're here, that's all we need." I was - i am devastated. There was never anything I could have done to have change what happened - because during his life we did everything you were supposed to to stop this from happening. Sometimes I'm angry, because what a cruel joke.
The biggest comfort to me in his final months, once we found out that something was wrong, once I was told how much time I might have left ... My biggest comfort is knowing that I did everything I did for him. I was so afraid that I wouldnt know when it was time to let go. I was so afraid that I would hold on too long, or that I wouldn't fight for him the way he fought for me. Once he was diagnosed, that was it. There was no unringing the bell, I knew what was happening and I was so scared that I would be selfish when he needed me. That's not what happened. I knew the day that he told me he was done, it was over. I kept every single day before that to make sure he had a good day. We did treatment for as long as he was having a good life. Every choice I made was for him and his sake, and that comforts me. He was loved every second he was in my life - and that continues in the years that he's been gone.
I know how it feels to be told your animal is going to pass from something they shouldnt. That you've literally taken every step that should have made it impossible. From what I've seen in this video ... I think I can assume you loved your rocko with your whole heart. It's obvious from every second here. And I think I can assume you loved him every day he was with you. When you lose an animal to something that you shouldnt ... for me that was the best way to cope with it. Knowing how much I loved my boy - and knowing how many other people loved him.
The grief comes in waves, and some days it was easier to laugh at something absurd he had done, and some days I cried about it. I've heard people liken it to a button and a ball in a box. You can't see the box, so you never know when the ball is going to collide with the button. And when grief is fresh, the ball is huge. It hits that button nonstop. Over time, the ball shrinks, but it never really goes away. And you never know when it will hit that button - but it does get smaller. You have more good days, you have more time to laugh, and to appreciate.
It's so hard to lose a loved one. Take your time, grief will never go away, but it'll become easier. Take your time and process everything. I'm so scared of the day where I need to let my birbs go, sending you big hugs, you're awesome and strong and did everything you could to care for all your birdies and ours as best as you can!
In Loving Memory of Rocko.
(2011-2022)
11 and 22 are both master numbers, interesting.
I've got double recessive hemochromatosis so I've got the worst version of the disease (from what I've understood) and I wouldn't have known about it if not for a random ferritin test with a new doctor. Normal range for humans is anywhere from 24 to 336 micrograms per liter but mine was over 4000. I've changed my diet and get one pint of blood taken every six months to keep it under control, which has been working for the past few years. I'm sure that if they didn't find it I would have ended up in the ER from a heart attack or some other organ failure because my iron was so high, the first time I had the phlebotomy it took a really long time because my blood was so thick that it was barely flowing into the collection bag, the nurses had no idea how I even functioned like that...
This video really hits home for me, not just because it's about the loss of a family member, but because the same disease that Rocko has was also killing me. I don't know anyone with hemochromatosis, not even at the oncologists office have I met someone with this disease. To find, listen to and connect my story with someone else, even if that someone else is a bird, means a lot to me. I'm very sorry that Rocko's story had to end the way it did, just know that these videos are extremely important and I can't thank you enough for sharing them with us.
How incredibly beautiful. You were blessed to have Rocko and Rocko was so blessed to have you as his Momma! ❤️🌺
Remember, grief has no timeline. We never know when it will hit us. It's ok to cry & miss our pets! They get us when no one else does. Blessings to you and your family.❤
Absolute truth. ❤️🙏
The poem rings so true. When my late mum died back in November of 2018 a week after her funeral in December I felt her presence as she called her elderly pug to "come home" & that's how I found him peacefully asleep painfree xx
This channel changed my birds lifestyle so much, I even rescued 3 more and they are all thriving beautifully because of them! I spread the message I've learned from this channel and because of that 2 other birds are in a wonderful home and gets such good care! These people are changing birds life through the message that they're spreading.
Here are some takeaways: The treatment for human chromatosis is periodic bloodletting. Perhaps this is difficult for birds. This disease also shows no symptoms until damage has started. Even on the strictest low iron diet, body-wide levels may not reduce without a blood purge. The tree phenomenon may be key and (I am speculating) may actually reduce iron levels. The iron levels this bird inherited may have persisted for years.
To Those Whom I Love & Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess,
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear,
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a 'Welcome Home'.
My heart goes out to you Jamie. You did everything you could with the information you had.
Thank you for sharing the findings openly with us, and for being so brave to show your grief. We're often all too scared to show that. Is it possible that Rocko could have been genetically predisposed towards iron storage disease more than usual for a Toucan? We see that in Humans, such as family predisposition to cancer or neurological disorders. If he was somehow more sensitive to the disease than 'normal' then your careful attentiveness to his diet and water may have significantly prolonged his life. Though he lived far fewer years than you, and us, would like, they were clearly years in which he was deeply loved and it was always clear in your videos that he adored you. x
Not a lose- lose path...I know your pain well. It’s far better to try because if you had done nothing, and the findings revealed iron storage disease, you would have tortured yourself until you died wondering if you could have saved him. So now you know- you did your best. And you and Rocco will be together again.
I can relate to the pain you are feeling losing Rocko. I lost my mother and my little Charlie both last year and I couldn’t function. Charlie was with me everyday when I was dealing with my mothers death. For such small creatures they take up a huge amount of your heart, and when they’re gone it’s so hard to fill that space. Stay strong you’re not alone.
What about food bowls and cage bars/perches? Could they absorb it orally or transdermal?
Your love for Rocko is so beautiful♥️ Rocko’s flying around your heart for ever!
Normies: RODI water is too special
Reefers: "stares"
Jamie my heart goes out to you!! I hope Rockos journey may help other toucans held in captivity. I actually hope maybe it will stop the pet trade of these beautiful birds. As horrible as it is I know when something good can come out of loss it can leave a legacy for that sweet soul. ❤💛🖤
Man I need to stop watching these videos while I’m at work.. thank you guys for everything you do and sharing all the ups and downs of your journey. You are making a huge difference for the lives of birds and owners, even when it doesn’t seem like it.
they let you watch UA-cam while working?
@@Sheepdog1314 I listen with headphones. Which we are allowed
I believe that the food supplier needs to explain and their food needs to be tested privately.
The poem is beautiful. You went beyond what others may have done to help him thrive. I recently lost my Lorikeet and there was something wrong with his pancreas. The vet guessed diabetes but never mentioned iron storage disease. Rocko will be soaring the sky now and will be watching over your family and keeping you all safe.
Jamie, you are the reason we will never forget any of your birds. With all your knowledge, passion,love and care, you are the best owner a bird could ever have.
I’m so sorry that he got it…He was my favourite of the whole flock and I am still grieving, but I cannot imagine how you are feeling. He’s probably up there right now looking down and smiling at you and your family. Please stay strong❤️ there’s a quote I love… ‘don’t cry because it’s over… smile because it happened’ if you feel grief surrounding you like a blanket again, then remind yourself of the memories you shared with the most amazing toucan ever and that he wouldn’t want you to be sad. I also want to thank you for giving him the best possible life, he was happy with you and that’s all that matters
I'm so sorry for your loss. He was beautiful.
As an animal lover and I know you love your birds, this is one of the reasons why I don't agree with owning exotic animals. I know you treat your animals 100% correctly and the education of your channel is so important. I'm crying over listening to your heart break 💔 I'm so very sorry about your loss. I'm way more sad about the fact that our animals are treated so poorly because of people's wants and apparent needs. I'm sorry again 😔
You’re amazing, and I know Rocko would agree. It’s so frustrating when you do everything to your knowledge right, and the outcome is still bad. You have helped save so many birds and you will continue to do so. Rocko had a great life with you. You guys brightened each others days up. You both are amazing, and I can’t wait till the day I can meet him up in Heaven!
Jamie, I'm so sorry for the loss of your Rocco. I'm literally crying as I write this 😭. I know exactly what you're going through. I lost my Macaw of 32 years a little over a year ago and it still hurts. It does get a little easier over time.
What a beautiful bird. It was easy to see how happy you made him. I'm sure he knew you loved him and that the feeling was mutual. Prayers for you and your family.
I miss Rocko.
Poor bird. Shame on YOU!
This video reminds me of the line in star trek: "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." It is the same here, she did everything right and still failed. It happens, you can't beat yourself up over it. You did the right things, maybe it is possible the bird had the disease before you got him, maybe there was trace amount in the food that was used that you could never know about.
We are only now realising how micro-plastic are affecting us and that pretty much everything is a bit toxic now because of the materials we use. Most of our store-bought veggies have fewer nutrients in them than farm veg because of the fast way we grow them to keep up with demand. Not mention chemicals everywhere, even our clothes. We could make ourselves paranoid with all this information, but all we can do is our best and avoid what we can for our birds. Doesn't mean we'll always get it right, but at least we're doing our best, because that is all we can do
I remember the monkey chow too! Was he a baby when u got him, or could the damage of been done before he ever got to your home, (or even in his genetics possibly).... I can't remember, except that your Patreons I believe got him for you!?
Anyways, it was just a thought. Beautiful poem & once again I'm here bawling at work & especially when you mentioned Bandit boy ugh..💔😭
I wonder if it could be a genetic thing. Not something that can always be controlled.