Quote:
Originally posted by CyberTraffic
I don't believe animals just die of a broken heart.
Too hard a pill to swallow, my friend.
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When I was majoring in veterinary science, I worked at a vet clinic. We were called to a ranch because a horse refused to come out of the stable and just sat in the corner. He woudn't eat or budge. A lab work up showed absolutly nothing wrong. Chest and abdomen x-rays showed nothing abnormal. His owner, a 68 year old man who had the 16 year old mare from the time she was weaned had died of a heart attack 1 week before. He was with her almost everyday. After another week, she died.
I have seen many family members bring the surviving pets of deceased people into the clinic. Most showed no signs of illness or disease. Just a lethargic demeanor and no appetite. without medically intervening, most died.
It may not be a broken heart, but something definitly took away these animals will to live.
By the way, I work with rescued avians (wild and domestic) and there are certain parrots(usually the ones with larger brains that would in the wild, be affiliated with large social groups and routine) that also exhibit a desire to not eat or participate after a caretaker has died or given the bird up. Some of these birds die as well.
We found 'Mandalay', A 38 year old African grey Timneh, dead on the pillow next to her owner of 37 years, who had died of natural causes. His body was found 4 days after he died. The parrot had enough food and water in the house to have survived another month if she had wanted too.
Maybe they connect to us in more ways than we think....