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Parrot given Prozac after owner dies
Telegraph ^ | 20 Nov 2008 | Charlotte Bailey

Posted on 11/20/2008 6:41:31 PM PST by BGHater

A parrot is taking Prozac for depression following the death of its owner.

Fred, an African Grey parrot, was owned by George Dance, who had rasied him from a chick.

After Mr Dance died nine months ago, Fred became depressed and bit off all of his neck feathers. He also began to bob his head up and down all day as a result of his low mood.

The bird has now been prescribed a twice-daily liquid dose of a bird-friendly version of Prozac, called Clomicalm.

George's widow Helen, from Somerset, told The Sun: "He has been in quite a state since my husband died.

"Fred was very close to George and became depressed."

According to experts, tropical birds are extremely emotional and the number who require anti-depressants is growing.

Late last year, a collie-Labrador cross called Winnie was given Clomicalm after it began to cry and pace nervously.

An animal behaviourist diagnosed Winnie with canine separation anxiety, and the mood-altering drug now helps her to cope.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: bird; parrot; pet; prozac
Just make sure Fred does not have access to any guns.

Not about this Parrot, but a interesting read.


1 posted on 11/20/2008 6:41:31 PM PST by BGHater
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To: BGHater
According to experts, tropical birds are extremely emotional and the number who require anti-depressants is growing.

Shhhhh!!!!!! Don't tell PETA.

2 posted on 11/20/2008 6:45:11 PM PST by mlocher (USA is a sovereign nation)
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To: mlocher

LOL...though it is known that parrots are very attached to their owners.

Prozac? Wow.


3 posted on 11/20/2008 6:46:57 PM PST by Shyla
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To: BGHater
After Mr Dance died nine months ago, Fred became depressed and bit off all of his neck feathers. He also began to bob his head up and down all day as a result of his low mood.

Mr. Dance died and left the TV on.

The inconsiderate parrot hater.

I bet he left it on the CNN NEWS channel to boot.

That ba$t@rd.

4 posted on 11/20/2008 6:47:33 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: BGHater; shhrubbery!; Watery Tart
Fred, an African Grey parrot. . . .

The African Grey? Beautiful plumage!

He must be pinin' for the rainforests.

5 posted on 11/20/2008 6:47:48 PM PST by Charles Henrickson (Apparrotly.)
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To: BGHater

This behavior is not unusual in hand-raised parrots, who bond to one individual. We isolate them from others of their kind for their entire lives, and then we’re surprised when they feel grief after the only other living creature they’re attached to dies.


6 posted on 11/20/2008 6:48:28 PM PST by LibFreeOrDie (Obama promised a gold mine, but he’ll give us the shaft.)
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To: BGHater

If bird brains weren’t the size of a birdbrain, they would be keeping us for pets.


7 posted on 11/20/2008 6:49:25 PM PST by GOPJ (Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2 Republicans: 2.1 -Olson)
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To: LibFreeOrDie

Interesting somewhat off topic comment.

The birth control shot Depo-Provera has actually been given to captive penguins to promote their molting process.

Itis sad, though. Parrots are vey smart and do bond to their human. Many of them will just pick themselves to death, slowly and painfully.


8 posted on 11/20/2008 6:52:06 PM PST by Shyla
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To: Charles Henrickson

Fjords. They pine for fjords.


9 posted on 11/20/2008 6:52:07 PM PST by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck)
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To: LibFreeOrDie
We isolate them from others of their kind for their entire lives, and then we’re surprised when they feel grief after the only other living creature they’re attached to dies.

Alas, the drugs just came too late. (sniff...sniff)

10 posted on 11/20/2008 6:52:45 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: BGHater
Maybe I'm too soft hearted, but this is really sad, folks. African Greys are one of the most intelligent of parrots. This little guy lost his only friend in the universe. Hope someone just as kind takes him in and helps him get off the meds.
11 posted on 11/20/2008 6:55:10 PM PST by LiberConservative (Typical white guy)
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To: Eagles6; mikrofon; martin_fierro
They pine for fjords.

You're thinking of the Norwegian Blue. This was the African Grey.

12 posted on 11/20/2008 6:56:13 PM PST by Charles Henrickson (Apparrotly.)
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To: BGHater
Thanks. I'll check that book out.

I know cats have very astute problem solving abilities.
13 posted on 11/20/2008 6:58:23 PM PST by randomhero97 ("First you want to kill me, now you want to kiss me. Blow!" - Ash)
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To: LiberConservative

I do agree. This is sad. They are so trusting.

At my previous position, we had a bird that was passed from zoo to zoo. When the animal people I worked with got Peaches, it took so much time and love. Peaches eventually felt secure and quit picking himself to near death.

When we were sold, Peaches went with the girl that brought him back from a near death.

Happy ending.


14 posted on 11/20/2008 6:59:48 PM PST by Shyla
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To: Charles Henrickson

Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I’m looking at one right now. It’s not pinin’, it’s passed on! This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It’s expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late parrot. It’s a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace, if you hadn’t nailed it to the perch, it would be pushing up the daisies! It’s rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible! This is an ex-parrot!


15 posted on 11/20/2008 7:00:16 PM PST by dfwgator (I hate Illinois Marxists)
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To: LiberConservative; trussell
African Greys are one of the most intelligent of parrots.

I am just too devoted to "Flipper" to be concerned with a bird. ; )

16 posted on 11/20/2008 7:00:27 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: Charles Henrickson; Eagles6; mikrofon; martin_fierro

.....but how can it carry a coconut under its dorsal guiding feathers?


17 posted on 11/20/2008 7:01:22 PM PST by shibumi (...so if it's organic, where are its organs?)
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To: BGHater
A parrot is taking Prozac for depression following the death of its owner.

The supplier of Prozac to this parrot is one sick "MoFo"...

18 posted on 11/20/2008 7:03:28 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: LibFreeOrDie

He is obviously in no way bonded to the widow or she would be able to comfort the bird. She should attempt to find someone the bird will respond to and give them the bird. He will grieve, but not as severely and will bond to the new owner.

My hubby has a real touch with birds, every one he has ever been around has made friends with him and the one we had bonded to him right away. We have been in pet stores with mean birds that they can’t sell because they are so mean- they will even interact with hubby and not bite him. Many times pet store owners have offered to sell him this kind of bird at a discount- but they are still out of our “bird budget” so we don’t buy them. I have no idea what happens to these problem birds- but if people or pet shops cared about them they would give them to people the bird “chooses” and it would be great.


19 posted on 11/20/2008 7:04:02 PM PST by Tammy8 (Please Support and pray for our Troops, as they serve us every day.)
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To: BGHater
This...is an ex-human!”
20 posted on 11/20/2008 7:05:00 PM PST by RichInOC (Obama/Biden '08: "We Are Not Ruled By Murderers, But Only--By Their Friends."--Rudyard Kipling)
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To: EGPWS

Why? It is interesting but if it works..


21 posted on 11/20/2008 7:05:31 PM PST by Shyla
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To: Tammy8

I agree!


22 posted on 11/20/2008 7:05:46 PM PST by LibFreeOrDie (Obama promised a gold mine, but he’ll give us the shaft.)
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To: shibumi

23 posted on 11/20/2008 7:05:49 PM PST by Daffynition ("Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.")
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To: Tammy8

Sweet. Your husband is the “Bird Whisperer”. My hubby has a way with canines. It is always interesting to watch how canines interact with him.


24 posted on 11/20/2008 7:07:25 PM PST by Shyla
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To: Charles Henrickson

Doh!


25 posted on 11/20/2008 7:10:27 PM PST by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck)
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To: Daffynition
Gripped it by the husk! (I find the concept hard to swallow.)
26 posted on 11/20/2008 7:10:58 PM PST by shibumi (...so if it's organic, where are its organs?)
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To: shibumi
".but how can it carry a coconut under its dorsal guiding feathers?"

Carefully.

27 posted on 11/20/2008 7:11:47 PM PST by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck)
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To: Shyla
...Happy ending.

Happy ending, indeed! I would offer to take the little guy in myself ... but I have two cats who would probably turn him into lunch the moment I walked out the door.

28 posted on 11/20/2008 7:14:41 PM PST by LiberConservative (Typical white guy)
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To: Shyla

My hubby is an animal whisperer- all critters love him. Right now we have 3 house cats (reason we have no birds now)- people think I am the cat person, but two of the cats have bonded to him, only one is mine. We rescue problem horses and with him they become really good riding horses. Dogs, cats, horses, birds- you name it they just think he is great. Of course I agree!


29 posted on 11/20/2008 7:15:31 PM PST by Tammy8 (Please Support and pray for our Troops, as they serve us every day.)
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To: shibumi
Eye like puns.


30 posted on 11/20/2008 7:17:05 PM PST by Daffynition ("Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.")
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To: Charles Henrickson; Eagles6
African Greys can pine for the fjords too.


31 posted on 11/20/2008 7:20:47 PM PST by Daffynition ("Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.")
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To: Tammy8

Hello.

I was given the nickname of Ellie Mae years ago. My hubby is even worse than me.

I am a sucker for animals. Period. Right now we have two pure wolves, love them, sweet as can be (to us) the female is not trusting of strangers. My male thinks the world loves him!!

I am under puppy watch now. My dward yorkie/mini rat terrier is due to give birth within 48 hours.

Years ago I was being picked up by a date and were walking to hs car and a raccon jumped from a tree and layed around my neck, he ran. I laughed. That was my Mad Max.

I worked for SeaWorld Cleveland for over 20 years in an engineering environment, I loved it. I cried when we were sold to Six Flags and the majority of “my” animals went to the other Sea World parks.

I have had the Ellie Mae name for years and years.

God Bless your hubby...and you to!!!

Shelly


32 posted on 11/20/2008 7:24:20 PM PST by Shyla
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To: Shyla

Crap, that was suppose to be private reply....lol


33 posted on 11/20/2008 7:25:07 PM PST by Shyla
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To: Daffynition

Ewe are more than welcome.


34 posted on 11/20/2008 7:25:46 PM PST by shibumi (...so if it's organic, where are its organs?)
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To: GOPJ

Funny, My 22 yr young Goffin’s cockatoo has me pretty well trained


35 posted on 11/20/2008 7:31:48 PM PST by Tinytracks
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To: BGHater

Glad to see that England’s socialized medicine is at least working for birds.

(How long does granny have to wait for a doctor’s appointment in the UK?)


36 posted on 11/20/2008 7:31:48 PM PST by earlJam
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To: LiberConservative

A certain cartoon comes to my mind!! Lol.


37 posted on 11/20/2008 7:32:34 PM PST by Shyla
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To: Daffynition; Charles Henrickson

Ha! I thought so. I just look stupid.


38 posted on 11/20/2008 7:33:23 PM PST by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck)
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To: Eagles6
Fjords. They pine for fjords.

I'm sure many of us were waiting for that!

39 posted on 11/20/2008 7:47:09 PM PST by higgmeister (In the Shadow of The Big Chicken!)
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To: BGHater; EGPWS

 


Click the the pic for
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

EGPWS expresses his condolences!

40 posted on 11/20/2008 7:53:40 PM PST by trussell (I carry because...When seconds count between life and death, the police are only minutes away)
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To: higgmeister; dfwgator

See post #15


41 posted on 11/20/2008 8:04:43 PM PST by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck)
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To: Shyla

All of our daughters love critters- but one seems to attract animals in need and we call her Ellie Mae. She recently married a man in the Army and it has been a challenge for them to find housing where she can have even part of her critters, and so far haven’t found a place where she can keep her horse. She is still adding to the problem by recently taking in orphan kittens. Her hubby loves animals too, but seems at times both amused and frustrated by her menagerie. When he found out he was going to be deployed soon he made the comment that most men worry that they will return and their wife will have moved in another man- he says he will worry that he will return to find she has moved her horse in the house. He says he is expecting “Sarge” to call him aside in Iraq one day and tell him there is an issue with his wife having a zoo since he won’t be home to tell her “no” on getting more animals.


42 posted on 11/20/2008 9:22:05 PM PST by Tammy8 (Please Support and pray for our Troops, as they serve us every day.)
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To: Eagles6
Hardly. I know it happens to me from time to time .... ya get Polynesia ... the same affliction that is memory loss in parrots.
43 posted on 11/21/2008 2:03:14 AM PST by Daffynition ("Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.")
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