No rest for the wicked

Teresa wrote:

Sammy is definitely beter. Hecan stand up for longer periods of time now, rather than just sleep between meals, but he still stargazes a lot, especially when anyone approaches his cage. He has preened a bit, stretched his wings and pecked a few seeds the last two days, but in so far as I've been able to see, he still can't drink by himself. I think perhaps I was giving him too much water, and that's why the poops were too watery.
The worst time for seizures are when I take him out of the cage and when I put him back in. He falls over to the left, kicking his legs like mad and twisting his neck. Sometimes he ends up on his back and trying to twist his neck a full 360º, it's really alarming to watch. I either have to wrap him up or to hold him until the fits subside, and then slide my hands away very gradually.

Ahhh Teresa - I am so happy to hear that.
I have watched the same with Pina. When I put her back into her box she used to get totally irritated, started to fall over etc. As she is a very easy patient to handle I have started following to avoid those seizures after meal. I slowly let her crawl out of her "burrito wrap" right on the table where I fed her. I try to put her right side up - then let her stand a bit on the towel until she has found her right position and then put her back into her box. This really avoids any irritation later on.

I have also watched the same regarding watery poops. In the meanwhile I start the day with 5ml cinnamon tea. My hubby is holding the bird and stroking him softly (this calms all of them down in an incredible way) until I have cleaned the box and filled up the warm water bottle. After an hour or so they are then fed. The watery poops have significantly reduced this way. I think I have given them also too much fluid simply.

My thinking also is that feeding those homemade pellets which I make from 1/3 grinded peanuts, 1/3 breadcrumbs and 1/3 oat flakes, mixed with cinnamon tea and then worked into pea-size pellets, which are quite dry, motivates them to drink on their own. And both do, Pina and Willy, at least a bit. They also get some de-frosted peas in between the pellets which helps to swallow the rather dry pellets.

Sending healing thoughts your and Sammy's way and Velvets and Scarlet and of course Hercules!!!!

AZJourney wrote:

Im wondering if something like this would work for Sammy??? A sling to keep him in position???

Also sending loving snuggles for Velvet, Scarlet and Hercules!!!


(((BTW--- This is Lizz's picture of her Pigeon Trooper))))

I love the look of this support, it seems as if it would be much easier to settle the pigeon into, and softer on it's belly.
I know the plastic one I have was bought from a professional site, but it certainly isn't easy to assemble, ( maybe due to my arthritic fingers), I just gave up on it in the end. I do like the look of this one Jenn.

Janet

AZJourney wrote:

Teresa wrote:

Terrific idea, Jenn!

Thank you so much for finding this photo!

I can't take the credit for the idea... That's ALL Lizz's doing!!!

But, I was reading the post and remembered the picture...so I ran off to search it out!

If you like I can direct her here... if you have any questions.. on how and what she used....just let me know! I hope it helps poor Sammy!

Yes indeed, Lizz has created a very ingenious and very comfortable-looking sling! But you still deserve the thanks, for finding it and posting it!
It would be great to hear from her, especially any dos and don'ts. From the photo, it doesn't appear difficult to copy the sling. What's difficult is having the idea in the first place -- clever Lizz!

Scarlet's wing is getting better, but with time a lot of bruising has appeared around the wound, though fortunately the swelling has almost gone. She's still very sore.
I've been hand feeding her for a while because she would hardly eat or drink. After eliminating other possibilities, I suspected canker , even though there were no visible lesions, so she's had Flagyl added to the amoxicillin for 3 days now. Yesterday her general condition had improved visibly, so at dinner today I gave her less food and waited to see what she would do... A few minutes later, she was pecking at her seeds!

This is how I've been smuggling her meds into her -- on the left are two normal grains of corn, but the third contains her exact dose of Synulox and the fourth has Flagyl.

Well aren't you the sneeky one! I highly approve.

Velvet seems to be a boy!

For the last couple of days, he has been cooing a lot, often in response to Piper's coos!
I do believe he's got PMV, though I can't figure out at what stage he is, as he shows the typical timidity, 'spaghetti' poops and scattering the seeds, but apart from a tendency to slightly tilt his head to the right, there are no tremors, stargazing, or seizures. When I first saw him in the park, he had his head down, rubbing the back of it on the grass. Could it be he's at the end of it, or even past it?

Here's a picture of this morning's 'offerings', including the mountain of scattered seeds (but don't worry, I keep topping his deep dish!

Hard to say.

I do hope that what ever is ailing him, he is better soon. I know you will keep us posted every step of the way.

I like your method of giving the meds.

Fancyfeathers wrote:

I like your method of giving the meds.

THEY like it too, it slides down their throat very easily and they don't get the bad taste which is always a problem with Amoxicillin and Flagyl.

Sorry I haven't been around much for the last couple of days, I just don't seem to have any time between work and patients! Especially as you have to move in slow motion around the two PMVs, and Hercules and Scarlet's injury management takes a lot of time. Then there's all the different meds and supplements, and huge washing loads to pre-wash by hand and disinfect before they go in the machine. And cooking, shopping, etc... I've yet to decorate the Christmas tree.
So when my students say they're tired after a few measly hours at school I have no sympathy whatsoever!

Sammy is more lively, but still quite unable to eat or even drink by himself. His appetite is good and he loves a fuss.

Scarlet has improved a lot. The wound on her wing has closed up now and she's started eating by herself. The Flagyl course ended today, but she's still taking Synulox. She's a chatterbox, often initiating the cooing, which is then taken up by Piper! She may just turn out to be a boy too...

Velvet is stable, he's found his voice over the last couple of days, but he's still timid and he's fluffed up, even with the heat. I wonder if he's got internal canker. Is it safe to give metronidazole to PMV patients?

Teresa...I would treat him for canker.

Teresa............You certainly have your hands full. Please make sure to take the time to take care of yourself as well.

Thanks for the update on all the little patients...........sounds like everyone is coming along and getting better.

You are a true I admire you so much.

Louise

Matilda wrote:

Teresa...I would treat him for canker.

Will do! I felt I should, but hesitated because of the PMV.

Welcome.

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

Teresa............You certainly have your hands full. Please make sure to take the time to take care of yourself as well.

Thanks for the update on all the little patients...........sounds like everyone is coming along and getting better.

You are a true I admire you so much.

Louise

Thank you, Louise!

I'm alright, really, thing is I have to choose between sleeping or being online, so I'm alternating. So don't worry if I only post every other day!

Velvet has improved a lot with the Flagyl! The poops are better and he's perkier and less fluffed up. I saw him stargazing earlier on, but only for a couple of seconds. I still hope and pray he's in the final (rather than early) stages of the disease. From here I can see him sitting on his perch looking at me.

Scarlet is in really good shape. The wound has new, healthy skin and the feathers are starting to grow back. I reckon when the feathers have grown a bit more, and after enough flight practice, she'll be ready to be released. (Meanwhile she and Piper don't shut up for a minute!)

Sammy is stable, still putting on weight, and he's very bright and alert while I feed him, taking notice of everything that's going on around him. His symptoms are still very severe though, and a lot of the time he can't even stand up. I suppose the disease hit him really hard because he was so young and so underweight. But he's made it so far, so I'm sure he'll pull through.

Without you, they wouldn't have stood a chance. I'm glad they are all improving.

I'm thrilled to hear all is going in a positive direction with your pijjie patients, Teresa.

ahhhh poor Sammy... have you thought about using the sling idea? It might do him some good to be immobilized for a time. Lizz told me she cut holes in the sock for Troopers feet to stick out... Sort of like a Baby Johnny Jump.

So glad Scarlet and Velvet have made such great recoveries!

AZJourney wrote:

ahhhh poor Sammy... have you thought about using the sling idea? It might do him some good to be immobilized for a time. Lizz told me she cut holes in the sock for Troopers feet to stick out... Sort of like a Baby Johnny Jump.

So glad Scarlet and Velvet have made such great recoveries!

Does immobilisation help PMV patients to recover more quickly? Or is it to stop them from hurting themselves? His cage is padded up and has a small, thick towel for flooring (it looks just like he's got a carpet, in addition to the furniture, lol) so he can't hurt himself. I thought of letting him do his own thing and exercise his muscles a bit, but if immobilisation is better for him I'd definitely consider it.

Guess who's been stretching her wings!

Scarlet had a couple of hours freedom tonight and she thoroughly enjoyed herself exploring, preening and exercising.

At rest, her injured wing hangs a bit, but I reckon that's because it's still a bit sore, and she's not flown higher than half a metre today. (By the way, that's not a real snake in the plant pot, it's a wooden one!)



But when she stretches her wings they are almost symmetrical, and that's not at all bad for a first attempt.



Who's a clever pij then?

And this is her exercising:

https://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m381/Skbllz/Pigeons/Scarlet/?action=view&current=DSCNB3748.flv

PS. I love the pink lace undersides to her wings. Beats me why anybody would want to dye pigeons when they already have the loveliest colours we can imagine!

Teresa wrote:

AZJourney wrote:

ahhhh poor Sammy... have you thought about using the sling idea? It might do him some good to be immobilized for a time. Lizz told me she cut holes in the sock for Troopers feet to stick out... Sort of like a Baby Johnny Jump.

So glad Scarlet and Velvet have made such great recoveries!

Does immobilisation help PMV patients to recover more quickly? Or is it to stop them from hurting themselves? His cage is padded up and has a small, thick towel for flooring (it looks just like he's got a carpet, in addition to the furniture, lol) so he can't hurt himself. I thought of letting him do his own thing and exercise his muscles a bit, but if immobilisation is better for him I'd definitely consider it.

To be honest... I have not a clue I was just thinking if he was rolling on his side... that it might help. but idk? Poor guy..... His cage set up sounds great... your a good pijie Mommy!

Scarlet is BEAUTIFUL.. those wings..... omgosh.... beautiful.. that picture is beautiful! The way her head is turned..PRECIOUS!

Wishes of wellness from our ICU to yours!!!

Teresa wrote:

AZJourney wrote:

ahhhh poor Sammy... have you thought about using the sling idea? It might do him some good to be immobilized for a time. Lizz told me she cut holes in the sock for Troopers feet to stick out... Sort of like a Baby Johnny Jump.

So glad Scarlet and Velvet have made such great recoveries!

Does immobilisation help PMV patients to recover more quickly? Or is it to stop them from hurting themselves? His cage is padded up and has a small, thick towel for flooring (it looks just like he's got a carpet, in addition to the furniture, lol) so he can't hurt himself. I thought of letting him do his own thing and exercise his muscles a bit, but if immobilisation is better for him I'd definitely consider it.

This is just strictly my opinion, nothing official, but I think if Sammy is showing signs that he wants to move about, I would let him, with your supervision.
If it looks like he is becoming too stressed then abort the exercise time.

The photos of Scarlet are wonderful. The second one is absolutely priceless.

I agree with the dying of their feathers. I see no reason whatsoever. Their natural beauty outshines any color alterations hands down.