its been to long since I was on the forum...

[Polarn]

Some updates on Gila, And yes I know I seem to go MIA every now and then... tons of things needed to be done... anyways. She had a run for the worse so I've been focusing alot of my time on her recovery, the bloodworks were still looking good so no infections or anything, however I got an X-ray of her and noticed her organs is funky looking as in the heart isnt round and the other organs also looks deformed.. also could see her wings arnt located where they should be, kind of looks like if someone tugged em to render her unable to fly... anyways the vet (and myself ofcourse) wants to give her some time to recover since she has improved alot since she got here, but she is now on meds that is supposed to reduce any pain she might feel to see if she becomes more active and starts excersising her feet more without me having todo it for her, but the vet wanted to try treat her with oxicom for a week to see if I notice any difference in behavior, if not I'm not really sure what todo, couse I do not want her to live a life in pain, and being on Oxicon for the duration of her life will probably dramatically decrease her lifespan... but at the same time if she becomes more playful and starts showing some normal birdiebehavior while on it, it might be a valid solution having her get oxicon two times a day until something else gives up, I tell myself I see some difference in her behavior, or well I definitly see two and the first one is she has started to use her left foot and not only her right, she also tonight for the first time slept with her head in between her wings, she usually rest it on a branch couse she has been falling over when not.

She is also enjoying her cuddles now, and is completely transformed in her never being handled going to become flooded due to the fact that I had to handle her to fix her feet, feathers, etc, and now will come up and wait for me to lift her up and put her on my chest to preen her tailfeathers and crest (she still doesnt preen herself, at all, and this is one thing I'd like to see her start doing while on the Oxicon) Sure it's kind of cozy having her lay down on her back ontop of my chest or tummy and preen her but then, this isnt normal.. I know 2's normaly like cuddles but... coming from a bird who has never been handled before, she should know how to preen and start doing it herself eventually.

Anyways, just thought I'd update some and hopefully I will have some happy news going out in a week, or atleast some of a new treatmentplan or something... But its hard I'm constantly torned between the "Am I really doing this for her" not as in I wanna keep her so bad that I'll do whatever but as in is this the humane thing todo or would it be more humane to put her down... but at the same time even while not on the meds she has been foraging and making sure to eat and drink herself, never had to force her to eat or drink, or well when I first picked her up she was way too weak so I took her to the vet for some IV nutrition, but right after that she started to eat and drink herself...

[liz]

I have an old cat. She has been on medication for her 15 years because she has feline corona. She has arthritis and moves slow when it is cold. Her front legs are bowed. Still she comes to me for cuddles and purrs when she is petted. She gets up on the freezer by using chairs (that is where I keep the cat food away from the dogs) and looks at the refridgerator meaning that she would like a little milk.

I know she hurts but she still gets some joy from life. I will keep her close to me as long as she can find joy. I know that she does not have that much longer. I have prayed that the LORD will let her die in her sleep before she gets so bad that I have to deal with it.

I know your Gila is weighing on your heart. You are doing the best she could ever have and she knows it. She is happier now than ever before in her life.

[Polarn]

Thanks for the words Liz, but you know sometimes I doubt myself not as much on my abilities but as to a descition made is right or wrong or even what is right and wrong I must honestly say, but.. I have decided that on this one I am definitly going to weigh the vets and Leifs oppinion quite heavily since I know you sometimes becomes blind, in both directions... either you see improvements that doesnt really exist or you don't see the improvements thats really there couse your so caught up in the whole thing... so as to the movability improvement scale I use Leif for advice since I can have a good communication going there without being ruined and the fact that he doesnt care for as many birds in need of medical care so he will have an easier time actually remembering Gila than any vet would. as for what todo medically I trust Susanne to make the right decitions.

[terri]

Im so sorry to hear about Gila But dont give up hope[you said her bloodwork was good]It may take time .My Harlows at2 months and is still healing.It took a long time to see improvement,TAKE CARE