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Post by Hezz on Apr 26, 2015 9:48:09 GMT
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Post by birdguhl on Apr 26, 2015 12:22:36 GMT
Ooh - that bite looks sore! Really hope as time goes on she redirects some of the bite power into getting her little legs working as hard and effectively!
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Post by starlingqueen on Apr 26, 2015 13:59:39 GMT
Today we have been continuing with the physio. Stretching her legs and curling her toes. They are very stiff but one foot, her left, is starting to look a bit more curled. The right leg doesn't seem to flex at the joint as well as the other so I am gently pulling it out to try and get some movement going. I also try to get her to wiggle her legs. I have been doing a lot of research and read that there could be nerve damage that may improve over time so I don't want her muscles to waste away before that time. I have wrapped a piece of cardboard in vet wrap, the stuff they use to bandage animals with, and put it in the bottom of her cage instead of newspaper so she has something to get a grip on instead of her legs just sliding around when she "walks". I am also propping her up in a more bird position as much as possible so she gets the idea of the correct way to stand. Not as easy as it sounds as she insists on flopping onto her belly. Still biting the heck out of us but I used someone's suggestion, (sorry can't think who it was but thank you), to wear gloves. I have to be careful as I can't feel her little body as well but I have a clean, new gardening glove on one hand and the other I use to manipulate her legs. I have more time to work with her this way as she chews on the glove while the other is free and not being bitten. She has taken a liking to a small bell hanging from the ladder. She sits under the ladder and gently taps it. I will use that as a way to get her to reach up. Moving the ladder slightly higher to encourage her to stand. I have also given her a mirror and she likes to sit in front of it, some sort of comfort I suppose. And I have placed a piece of card over one end of her home so she can feel safe underneath it, she seems to like that.
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Post by skysmum on Apr 26, 2015 14:46:53 GMT
I wear an ordinary soft glove when clipping Jo and Freddy's claws this enables me to feel them without hurting them but if they latch on its usually just the glove that gets it, i keep the other hand free for the clippers. They can bite hard when i first handle them and i think its just panic because neither can fly they feel so vulnerable, once they settle they are ok though.
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Post by starlingqueen on Apr 26, 2015 15:22:00 GMT
I wear an ordinary soft glove when clipping Jo and Freddy's claws this enables me to feel them without hurting them but if they latch on its usually just the glove that gets it, i keep the other hand free for the clippers. They can bite hard when i first handle them and i think its just panic because neither can fly they feel so vulnerable, once they settle they are ok though. A normal thin glove wouldn't work with Ditto, she just constantly chews so easily bites through a thin glove. I'll have to video her having her physio so you can see how ferocious she is. It's not nasty biting just constant chewing and she doesn't seem stressed at all, it's quite relaxed.
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Post by OP on Apr 26, 2015 16:40:47 GMT
It sounds like you are doing a fine job, starlingqueen. You have a very inventive mind when you need it. Lucky Ditto.
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Post by samwiseg on Apr 27, 2015 6:41:41 GMT
Totally agree OP, SQ is doing a fab job and I love the use of her favourite things as an aid
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Post by Shirls on Apr 27, 2015 7:39:06 GMT
You are doing so well starlingqueen and it's lovely to get a daily report on progress. It's amazing how 'necessity is the mother of invention!!' One of my favourite sayings and I am always inventing ways round obstacles.
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Post by starlingqueen on Apr 27, 2015 10:32:22 GMT
I have been in touch with Barrie and he agrees there is no splayed legs but he can't say what the problem is ,he confirms it may or may not get better over time but there is nothing a vet can do. My observations today are that she has no movement in her toes. Her legs work, as in they make a walking motion but the toes are completely static, not even a twitch, on the plus side they are warm so blood flow isn't compromised. I have been using her biting to get some veg into her. She will chew on anything that's in front of her so I have given her carrot, bitter cress, and seeding grass, she doesn't eat much of it preferring just to hack lumps out of it but she's getting a taste at least. I have also given her some cashew nut butter, like peanut butter but made with cashews. I want to keep her weight up so high fat/protein food is a must. She had a bath yesterday. Her bottom was dirty so I used a shallow tray with a little bit of warm water and a face flannel in the bottom.She didn't seem to mind but made her way to the edge and clambered out. It was all over in seconds but it cleaned her bottom.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,743
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 27, 2015 12:02:23 GMT
You're such a good budgie mum!
Are you weighing her?
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Post by starlingqueen on Apr 27, 2015 12:11:06 GMT
You're such a good budgie mum! Are you weighing her? I Marianne, I haven't yet, I keep meaning to but get caught up with physio and forget I will do it before the next session. I really need to keep a record. I have just done it now. She is 29g. Very light but she is a lot smaller than the average bud, more the size of my FM.
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Post by jellybean on Apr 27, 2015 13:23:32 GMT
Love hearing about the progress and updates of this little one starlingqueen. I'm sure all the love and attention she is receiving will pay dividends.
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Post by Shirls on Apr 27, 2015 15:08:06 GMT
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Post by Hezz on Apr 28, 2015 0:10:51 GMT
Love hearing about the progress and updates of this little one starlingqueen. I'm sure all the love and attention she is receiving will pay dividends. My sentiments, exactly. It is wonderful to have noticed any sort of improvement already, and I hope all your hard work pays off with some mobility for the poor girl. Keep it up, both of you.
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Post by starlingqueen on Apr 28, 2015 13:50:14 GMT
Today I have noticed that Dittos right leg joint, the one nearest the foot becomes very stiff but with stretching it loosens up and she can stand for a few seconds. Then it's stiff again the next time I manipulate it. I think I need to suspend her with her legs hanging down so the joint is not being laid on. How to do this I have no idea. Her left foot does have some movement but only when she lifts it upwards towards her head, her curled toes then straighten, I think this is her tendons pulling the foot open and not something she is doing herself. There is still no voluntary movement in her feet at all. I asked her breeder if she had a tail at any time and he sent me a picture of her with a tail, there is no sign of any tail growth at all. I am wondering if some sort of trauma to her back could have caused the leg problems as well as the loss of her tail. She is still very healthy and loves playing with buttons on the floor of he cage, picking them up and twiddling them around then throwing them. She tweets whenever she wants something, mainly attention. And often has a good flap in the cage. Her wings seem to work fine but she can't get any lift.
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