Broken Wing

[Bokkapooh]

I am so sorry that he will have a possibility of not being able to fly again. Why does the vet say this? And what does he mean by extension in the wing?

I will pray that he will be able to fly.

 

[Willow]

Hi Mercedez, I'm not 100% sure what she means or why the wing wouldn't have extension. Hopefully when we go back, I will be able to see the new radiographs (and take pics of them) and can get a better idea of why. I am thinking extension as in, if you have your arm folded up at your side, versus if you stretch it out full length. I'm not sure why that would go away? So, I guess we shall see . . .

 

[Willow]

BTW, Dr. Orcutt (the avian specialist) told me that Dr. Trout, the orthopedic surgeon who did Cypress's surgery had written a couple of books and that maybe if he wrote another book he would include Cypress. I don't know about that, but I looked him up and sure enough he does have a some books out, I will have to pick them up. She called him "the next James Herriot." Nick Trout - Authors - Random House

 

[expressmailtome]

I am very sorry that he may not be able to fly. Also, I am glad that he is alright healthwise!

Matt

 

[waterfaller1]

I was wondering how Cypress and Mulberry are doing?

 

[Anne & Gang]

so sorry he might not be able to fly but glad to hear is alright otherwise

 

[Birdlover]

I missed your last update and am sorry the vet felt that he may not be able to fly. Positive thoughts & prayers that he proves the vet wrong

Thanks for the links to the books also, the James Herriot books are so wonderful and if these are like that I know I would enjoy them a bunch

 

[Willow]

Thanks, everyone for thinking of Cypress and checking in!

Cypress goes back to Angell Memorial to have everything removed from his wing on the 21st! I am hoping he proves the vet wrong too . . . but also trying to be realistic. I made him a new cage yesterday, so he has more room to move about but still without the danger of falling. When he is out of his cage , he still regular leaps off whatever he is on and falls with a sickening thud (even though I only put him on things that are very close to the ground.) He doesn't understand that he can't just jump and fly, I guess. It is heartbreaking and terrifying. I will take some pics shortly - I used the bottom of one of those small animal cages and some of the leftover aviary wire I had, so he has a longer cage but no height. He doesn't tend to do the leap and fall when he is in his cage, but I am terrified to put him in any of the normal cages I have as they all have too much height. He definitely seems happier being in this new set up as opposed to the other one. Only **11** more days to go until freedom, although I do not know what happens once the wing is un-bandaged and pins removed. He may still need to be confined for awhile and have physical therapy, or . . . ?!?! Unfortunately I can't find anyone who has gone through something like this so it's been a learning experience.

It's looking to be a nice sunny day and a high of 66 so I'll definitely be trying to get him out to enjoy the sunshine in his travel cage for a bit as well. Poor guy, I know he doesn't understand why he's been confined for so long.

I ended up taking Mulberry out of the cage because he was being so aggressive towards me (protecting his buddy.) He seems to be doing fine and has quickly adjusted - now sleeps perched near (but not next to) Maple and often hangs out with him, but still always checks in with Cypress (Cypress is in the indoor bird room that connects to the aviary, so they can all visit when they are inside, but I can care for him without interference when they are outside, so that seems to work well.

 

[waterfaller1]

Thank you for the update. Continued positive energy for Cypress, and all his buddies.

 

[Willow]

Here are the photos of the temp cage he's in now. Also, posted photos of him out in the sun in the Feathered Photos Fairway section.
First two are before I added a lilac branch. Others are after.

 

[Willow]

5 more days until Cypress gets the external fixature removed!!!

 

[Anne & Gang]

yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy sounds like he is doing great.

 

[Willow]

Tomorrow's the day!!!!!!!!!!!! First a long drive . . .
Then the external fixature is removed!


Please send good thoughts and prayers that everything goes OK with the anesthesia and removal!!!!!!

 

[waterfaller1]

Sending positive and healing energy!!

 

[Birdlover]

positive thoughts that everything goes perfectly!

 

[Willow]

Thanks guys! Everything went well and Cypress now has his wing back! He preened it forever trying to get all that dead skin and whatnot off of it. Tomorrow I will give him a nice shower (it was too late by the time we got home) and I know he will be soooooo happy.

So far I haven't seen him open his wing at all. I am sure it will take time for him to get used to having the use of it back, and rebuild muscle strength and such. I asked them about physical therapy but they said I didn't need to do anything special. I don't know about that, though.

I did take pics of the radiographs but haven't gotten them off my phone yet. Will share when I do. In the meantime here is a pic of him preening in his travel cage in the car.

I'm sooooooo tired and wish I could call in to work tomorrow . . . <sigh>

 

[Birdlover]

So glad everything went well!! I bet that feels so good for him to have his wing back. I bet he will be so loving that shower tomorrow

 

[Danita]

Cypress must feel so relieved to have his wing back. Must feel so good to him.

I have no idea about the physical therapy thing. Maybe they know their own limits?

 

[ncGreyBirdLady]

AWWWW Yea for Cypress

 

[platinum]

Glad your baby is on the mend!!