RAINBOW (Blue and Gold Macaw)

Spinal injury / Congestive heart failure

2021 - 2025

December 2021

Ongoing plucking problem noted; Rainbow described as very anxious and stressed out.

2021 onward

Rainbow lived at the store/shelter after being surrendered. Store manager spent significant time with her, developing a close relationship and observing her behavior carefully.

March 2024

Store manager began to hear and observe breathing difficulties and possible congestion. Other staff and even customers also noticed these issues over a period of months.

Store manager consistently conveyed these concerns to Susanne and documented them over nine months.

3/21/24

Crackly, rattling sounds when Rainbow breathed.

Text from PeJ (parrot care associate) to Susanne and to the store manager: "Just wanted to let you know Rainbow’s breathing is raspy like she has a cold."

PeJ stated she was "a little concerned" and included a video of Rainbow.

Susanne responded that she would flush Rainbow and if it didn’t resolve, she would need to go to the vet.

Store manager also texted Susanne about this issue.

3/22/24

Susanne came to pick up a deceased boarding bird but did not discuss or flush Rainbow’s sinuses that day.

3/23/24

Susanne and Sara flushed Rainbow’s sinuses.

5/7/24

Susanne made a new cone and replaced Rainbow’s old one.

June 2024 (context reference)

Around the same time another macaw, Chicky, showed severe illness. Staff repeatedly notified Susanne, but Chicky was not taken to the vet promptly and ultimately died. The store manager resolved never to let a similar situation happen again.

7/17/24

Minimal feather regrowth noted.

8/11/24

Removed Rainbow’s cone.

9/6/24

Feathers growing in.

9/21/24

Rainbow was breathing loudly through her nose, with a rattling sound similar to before.

Note left for Susanne, who was out of town.

9/27/24

Store manager heard crackling sound; confirmed by Perin as well.

Store manager note to Susanne: "Rainbow was out on the playstand and a customer asked if she was sick. She heard her breathing funny. I heard it a bit too. You flushed her nostrils once before. Maybe the issue wasn’t resolved (by doing that)."

10/2/24

Susanne stated she did not hear what was described and said to "observe more."

10/24/24

Crackling and rattling sound when Rainbow breathed. Heavy exhalation observed.

Store manager informed Susanne; no action taken.

11/1/24

Rainbow’s breathing sounded bad.

Store manager informed Susanne.

12/19/24

Rainbow’s breathing became louder and more labored. It was obvious to everyone at the store that she was in distress.

12:08pm: The store manager and animal care specialist texted Susanne videos and expressed urgent concerns.

Store manager specifically mentioned that Susanne had claimed in the past that she never heard Rainbow’s labored breathing, even when videos were sent. The new videos clearly demonstrated the distress.

12:10pm: Susanne responded that she would "take a look at her tomorrow."

Between 12:18pm and 1:09PM The store manager sent 13 texts (including video) to Susanne about the severity of Rainbows condition with NO response from Susanne.

1:09PM: Not willing to watch another bird die (as happened with Chicky), the Store manager called every avian vet she could find and with the support of the rest of the staff who was in agreement that Rainbow was suffering, she decided to put Rainbow in a carrier and take her nearest avian vet who could see her. She text Susanne to tell her she was doing so.

1:18pm: Susanne finally responded, a full hour after previously hearing from her.

12/19/24 — 12/20/24

At the initial veterinary clinic, Rainbow was immediately placed on oxygen due to severely labored breathing.

The medical team recommended a CT scan, medications, and overnight observation to stabilize her condition.

Susanne questioned the expertise of the veterinarians, suggesting they were "just following instructions from a book," and refused to authorize them to proceed with further diagnostics or overnight care at that facility.

Susanne stated she would prefer to take Rainbow to a different avian veterinarian that she trusted. However, because it was nighttime, no other avian veterinarians were open to receive her that evening.

The store manager began driving Rainbow back toward the store as instructed.

During the drive, the store manager requested permission to take Rainbow to the second avian veterinarian the following day rather than returning her to the store first. Susanne agreed.

This resulted in an approximately 24-hour delay in critical treatment, further compromising Rainbow’s health.

At the second avian clinic in Denver the next day, veterinarians confirmed the initial diagnosis and made the same urgent recommendations for advanced care.

The store manager spent the entire day waiting in Denver for updates.

During this time, the second clinic contacted Susanne to inform her that Rainbow would need to stay overnight for oxygen therapy and monitoring. Susanne did not inform the store manager.

Store staff later texted the store manager to let her know that Rainbow was staying overnight. Only then did the store manager realize she had been waiting unnecessarily and returned home.

Susanne’s decisions and failure to communicate demonstrated a significant reluctance to accept the severity of Rainbow’s condition and an unwillingness to authorize timely, lifesaving treatment despite clear professional recommendations.

Following diagnosis (late December 2024)
The second vet determined Rainbow had an enlarged heart, fluid on her heart and in her lungs, and was in heart failure.

Rainbow required daily medication, likely for life.

Susanne refused to pay for continued overnight care, a CT scan, or certain medications recommended by the vet.

Susanne told the store manager Rainbow was ready to be picked up and suggested that the store manager take Rainbow home permanently.

The store manager accepted the offer to take Rainbow home despite limited resources and space, prioritizing Rainbow’s safety and long-term well-being.

Early 2025 (January — February)
During preparations to bring Rainbow home (which took about six weeks), Susanne frequently left notes pressing the store manager about when Rainbow would leave.

Susanne delayed a recommended follow-up appointment. Rainbow worsened again, requiring urgent care.

At that point, the store manager discovered Susanne had likely omitted giving one of Rainbow’s medications.

Susanne later admitted she had "probably left out" one medication, but claimed it was "not for long."

After additional veterinary intervention, including oxygen therapy and medication adjustments, Rainbow began to recover and show improvement.

Susanne ultimately refused to pay for a fourth medication that was urgently needed and the store manager had to have it overnighted at her own expense.

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