Bird Emergency

Got to watch one of our Drs and a tech give CPR to a Blue and Gold Macaw today- very cool. I've actually seen several emergency procedures since starting my job and it surprises me how calm everyone is. They move very quickly, of course, but they all keep their cool and work together well. Anyway, this macaw was found in someone's back yard on Saturday when the high was in the teens- macaws are naturally found in South America- so, obviously, it was very ill. The tech, who is not only completely dedicated to animals but also highly capable, took the bird in and nursed it all weekend. It had lost the use of one foot, was extremely emaciated, dehydrated, and anemic. This afternoon, it's heart stopped. The Dr and tech jumped into action, put a tube down the bird's throat, gave it emergency drugs and proceeded with CPR. The tech breathed through the tube while the Dr gave chest compressions. They tried for some time, but unfortunately, the bird did not survive- it was far too ill.