Sneezing leading to Death

by Jennifer Ramos
(El Paso, Tx)

My 18 year old cockatiel got up yesterday morning just like any morning, ate cereal with us on the patio and had a calm typical day.

But last night, she started to sneeze rapidly in short bursts about 2-4 minutes apart. She kept this up from about 6:15 to 7:20. I brought her outside to which she coughed up a bit of fluid which was bubbly, I couldn't tell color. I kept her warm and took her upstairs to sit in her box, which is the place she has slept for many years now. When I came upstairs to check on her before going to feed my Sun Conure and other cockatiel (they are in different cages on the other side of the room). She started to cough/sneeze very violently, which got slower and more labored before she seemed to choke. She stopped breathing altogether and passed away in my hand.

I'm looking for an answer, as my heart tells me there was nothing I could do, but my brain keeps asking why.