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Post by battybirdie on Jul 21, 2006 20:57:41 GMT
Hey everyone Well I've just got back from the Avian vets (90 mile round trip from home) with fluffy number 7, now affectionately know as Peggy. Peggy has a problem with his/her left leg, and it looks as though we might not be able to fix this . Unfortunately the tendon that runs down the back of the leg and across the hock has slipped to one side, and it's going to be touch and go as to whether we'll be able to get this to go back into position. Peggy now has a splint on his leg, and is less than chuft about this! Poor wee soul keeps trying to nibble it off Sooooooo this means that this weekend, I'm getting my new Ortho K contact lenses fitted, having my kitchen replaced, working, and handrearing Peggy as he can't go back into the nest with the others (they keep squishing him!) We have another appointment on Monday evening to see how things are progressing, and to make a decision on where we go from there. Please keep your fingers crossed for us. In the meantime poor Peggy is living in a mug The vet has said that his legs need to be kept as close together as possible in order try to bring the tendon back into alignment, and we need to restrict his movement at the moment too. I've already started with the feeds, but was hoping that someone would be able to give me some advice on feed frequency. At the moment I've fed every 2 hours, and at the last feed Peggy ate about 2.5 mls of food. Should I be feeding at the same frequency round the clock, or should he go a little longer between feeds overnight? This will be my first time trying to handrear such a young bird, and all help will be very gratefully received. I'm still not too sure what they are going to say at work on Monday when I turn up with my Cup-A-Kak Oh the humiliation of it all!!
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Post by lin on Jul 22, 2006 1:06:08 GMT
Oh dear, I'm tired just reading about your weekend to come Poor little Peg, but she is in the best of hands. She should be telling you when she is hungry, but I would say try increasing from 2 hourly, slowly, up to 4 hourly. Should be more than enough, but each bird is different. If her crop is empty then obviously feed her, but you don't want to be feeding her more often than you have to.
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Post by battybirdie on Jul 22, 2006 5:28:30 GMT
Morning All! I knackered already and the weekend hasn't even started! I'm actually typing this with my eyes closed so apologise in advance for any major typos. I have my Ortho K contacts in at the moment and they are supposed to be for closed eye wear, but the kitchen won't empty itself so here we go The good news is that little Peggy and I have made it through the night. The bad news is that at the moment we are feeding pretty much spot on every two hours Never mind though - Peggy is a little sweetie, and feeds reallhy well - as soon as he finds the syrnge he sits there gulping away at the food until he's full and stops on his own when he's had enough He did have a little hissy fit in the mug last night - not a happy bunny (and who can bleame him eh!), so softy took him out of the mug and let him sleep in my hands for a couple of hours sooooo sweet! I just ifgured that as long as I kep his little peg-legs in the same position as they would have been in the mug that it would be better for him to sit there relaxed for a while rather than wriggling to get out of the mug. At the moment he is back in the mug again and I am trying to figure out a way to get my kitchen contents up the stairs my house is tiny wee and teh sofa is currently across the bottom of the stirs and there are two 3 metre kitchen worktops on the stairs Many thanks for the advice Lin - what on earth would I do without you guys! I'll keep everyone posted on Peggys progress, and there should be less typos next times as my eyes will be open!
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Post by lin on Jul 22, 2006 5:44:01 GMT
Awww, what alittle love bug #heart# I know you will do well, and, well, you will just have to feed 2 hourly until a bit older. A pain in the butt, couldn't be a worse weekend for it, as far asyour concerned, but, hey, we all know you will manage! Oooh, more pics please!
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Post by Scully on Jul 22, 2006 7:34:52 GMT
aww Battie, you know we are all thinking of you and Penny. Shes in great hands
where is your vets, are they a avain vet?
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Post by silvercloud on Jul 22, 2006 8:57:20 GMT
Awww precious little bub. Good luck with it all.
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Post by orange on Jul 22, 2006 15:24:25 GMT
Good luck with Peggy, Ellen. I hope everything goes well with her, I am sure it will, like everyone has said she is in great hands!
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Post by battybirdie on Jul 23, 2006 0:34:59 GMT
I've had to go all the way to Strathmore Surgery in Andover to find an avian vet (Chitty) - grand total of just under 90 miles round trip. I tried several surgeries locally, but none have an avian vet. When I called one surgery and told the receptionist that I had a Kakariki chick she said "Is that some kind of lizard?" I politely told her that I didn't think that they would be able to help on this occassion! You would have thought that the word CHICK might have given something away eh?! The Andover vet was recommended to me by 2 different local surgeries though, & I have to say that they have been wonderful. I'm cautiously optomistic with Peggy today as that leg seems to be in a better position & doesn't look quite so red. I promised myself that I wasn't going to get so attached this time, but I have to admit that I was kidding myself - if things don't go well on Monday I'll be gutted - Peggy really is a little sweetie (in spite of repeatedly pooping in my hands!) I'll try to post some pics tomorrow, but my house is in pieces right now (half way through my kitchen refit), and I can't find anything! Must go now as it's time for Peggys feed, and then I really must squeeze in a couple of hours kip before the next one. Thanks for all your kind words guys - you support is amazing and much appreciated.
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Post by lin on Jul 23, 2006 1:31:24 GMT
We're all wishing and praying for the little one - if anyone can pull her through,it's you
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Post by orange on Jul 23, 2006 15:47:04 GMT
Oh Ellen, I have my fingers so firmly crossed for this little one! Its great to hear that the leg looks a little better, good progress is always good news! You poor thing you must be exhausted, hang on in there... hugs from us! Good luck tomorrow too
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Post by battybirdie on Jul 24, 2006 0:36:15 GMT
Morning Just thought I'd give you all a quick update on Peggy before she has her next feed Peggy is a bit of a cuddle monster , and should we be lucky enough to get through tomorrow with him, this is going to be one utterly spoiled birdie ! Peggys grandma has also completely fallen for him, and is going to try to babysit for me during the day tomorrow (she did a practice feed tonight, and all went well). If she panics I'll just have to come and collect him and sneak him into work They've gotta catch me first eh! I've been logging all of Peggys feeds, times amounts etc, and he's averaging a feed every 2 1/2 hours, and is taking about 2.5 mls each time (sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less). He was very hungry at 1.30pm today and guzzled down a whole 3.25mls! I actually have to admit to completely forgetting to feed myself until about 8pm tonight it's been all about Peggy today I can't believe how scared I am about going to the vets tomorrow night One thing I am sure of is that I am guaranteed to cry whether it's good news or bad news, so the poor vet had better have the tissues ready I'll update you all as soon as we get home, and will hopefully have some lovely new pics for you too.
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Post by lin on Jul 24, 2006 1:07:46 GMT
I'm sure it will be good news - after all, an angel has been looking after him! Fingers crossed, let us know as soon as you do!
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Post by Berserka on Jul 24, 2006 10:43:12 GMT
I hope everything goes well for Peggy (& you Ellen). If it doesn't go well, the gang & me are here for you.
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Post by Julie on Jul 24, 2006 11:47:08 GMT
Oh heck-just catching up on the post I've missed. Little Peggy! God love the kak-in-a-cup! Good idea though. Everything crossed for you at the vets Ellen.
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Post by Scully on Jul 24, 2006 12:34:18 GMT
oh Ellen thats really good news...good for Grandma too
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