topic Re: Bird's Nest September 2021 in Among Friends

Bird's Nest September 2021

Bird mama — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 12:19:36 GMT

Welcome Friends Old and New to the Bird's Nest for September.

Among the trees is a bird's nest,

and in the nest her three eggs rest,

and in each egg, Hush, you'll be heard!

There lies asleep A tiny bird.

Written by H.N. Bialik

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

Bird mama — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 12:22:56 GMT

Possummink added these in the former thread, thank you Possummink.

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

geezerette — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:56:59 GMT

@Bird mama

I'm replying to your Francis posts here rather then continue the August thread.

Don't you just hate when you get treated like that? Especially when you're paying top dollar for that treatment. I'd be ticked off too. And withholding information or giving you what to me sounds like misinformation about the poncho/collar makes you wonder where her head is at. And the worst part is that if Francis had a collar from the beginning he couldn't have removed any stitches and you wouldn't be worrying and they wouldn't be hassled with you trying to get them to answer you. Sort of causing their own problems.

It sounds like they have a kind of hierarchy, with each person having specific duties and they don't veer out of those areas. And the doctors use the techs as go-betweens. Which makes it difficult for you. It's not as if Francis is a healthy dog or cat that's just being brought in for routine vaccines.

The only explanation I can think of is that perhaps with all your questions and knowledge they think you know all of this stuff already. Or maybe this is just their personalities, or the personality of the owner vet and it filters down to everyone else. Sometimes I think specialty medical people (animal or human) feel they can act a bit "holier than thou" because you don't have any other choice if you want their expertise. Who knows?

But I do know how frustrating that can be. My vet can be like that sometimes and I feel like they have a clique going and I'm not part of it. It's maddening because my previous vet was a great guy and we became fast friends over the years. It was easy to carry on a conversation with him. Not so now.

Anyway, I guess all you can do is keep insisting on answers for Francis' sake. He seems to be recovering well. That's the thing to keep working on. You seem to be getting enough information to keep him on the right track. Grit your teeth a while longer.

And pray to St. Francis to continue to give you patience and tact.😉🙏🕊

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

viva923 — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:25:21 GMT

hey all

not much today

Ida due in about 5pmish today

was able to do most of chores have to wait on 2, to heavy items to lift

have doc check with surgeon who did my back stuff this afternoon, i think it is with the nurse practionier lady today

was able to get morn walk in.

not much else,later guys

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

Bird mama — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:04:48 GMT

My sister has always said I can read people like my Ma did @geezerette The vet admitted as much that Francis suprised them by surviving. I knew I would need at least 4 weeks to get Francis strong enough to survive or at least have better odds at surviving surgery. The vet techs say that the doctor reviews everything and getting information from them is like getting it from her. That's fine except when the doctor and the techs are saying different things depending on which one you talk to.

They brought up wing amputation on the first visit which is the day before the first diagnostic testing. When it came to the first follow up I expected blood work. Next thing I know they want X-rays too. So when I questioned in writing the need for sedation and X-rays I was told they need to see which direction the infection was going. I asked how long into the fall they expected this repeated diagnostic testing and I suggested amputation.

The same people who said amputation on July 21st before they even ran the first tests and knew darn well there was no bone connecting Francis' wing to his shoulder blade came back with ooh wait a minute we need to see if he will heal. For what purpose, there was no bone connecting his wing to the rest of his body?

I told my sister, they think they hooked a live one and they are going to milk this for as long as they can. I felt it then, I feel it now. To be honest, could I have afforded it? Oh yea. Was it in the best interest to repeatedly sedate my Francis every 4 weeks with the threat of death each time? No.

When I communicated my concerns about this being good for Francis the response was (they still thought she was female) she's fought so hard, she's a survivor, we know you will do anything for the bird.

Sadly I had to speak the language that I knew would penetrate. I wouldn't say that I lied exactly (remember I'm praying for the bird, lol) so I said, you know I'm a retiree on a fixed income..... and that's when they saw the light.

I remain thankful, grateful that I had access to a veterinarian with the skillset to treat my Francis. That said, my name is Bernadette, not Mikey or Patsy.

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

Bird mama — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:14:55 GMT

You are such a good person @geezerette. A few good things have come out of this. I found out where to get liquid enrofloxacin and cherry compouding syrup. My bird medicine chest is being updated to include the antibiotic from Jedds (pigeon people are the best) and the cherry compounding syrup arrives tomorrow. I've learned how to make a poncho that my Francis tolerates and we are keeping his beak out of the wound. Tomorrow I will learn how to pack a wound (Lord Jesus). I've gotten pretty good at giving medication orally with a syringe and I'm starting to excel at wound irrigation

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

geezerette — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:23:50 GMT

@Bird mama

They didn't know who they were messing with! 😂

Yeah, I've resorted to that line a time or two myself.😉 And technically it's true. But it's a shame to have to do that in an instance like yours. I always figure that someone that goes into animal medicine has an empathy for animals, otherwise who would want to do it? It's definitely a head scratcher.

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

geezerette — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:26:53 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
You are such a good person @geezerette. A few good things have come out of this. I found out where to get liquid enrofloxacin and cherry compouding syrup. My bird medicine chest is being updated to include the antibiotic from Jedds (pigeon people are the best) and the cherry compounding syrup arrives tomorrow. I've learned how to make a poncho that my Francis tolerates and we are keeping his beak out of the wound. Tomorrow I will learn how to pack a wound (Lord Jesus). I've gotten pretty good at giving medication orally with a syringe and I'm starting to excel at wound irrigation

@Bird mama

Wow! If I ever need medical attention, I know where to come -- if I can grow wings, that is!😉😂

It's great you're learning all that stuff. Maybe from now on you won't have to use that doctor again!

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

Bird mama — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:32:11 GMT

@geezerette

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

mousiegirl — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:55:25 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
My sister has always said I can read people like my Ma did @geezerette The vet admitted as much that Francis suprised them by surviving. I knew I would need at least 4 weeks to get Francis strong enough to survive or at least have better odds at surviving surgery. The vet techs say that the doctor reviews everything and getting information from them is like getting it from her. That's fine except when the doctor and the techs are saying different things depending on which one you talk to.

They brought up wing amputation on the first visit which is the day before the first diagnostic testing. When it came to the first follow up I expected blood work. Next thing I know they want X-rays too. So when I questioned in writing the need for sedation and X-rays I was told they need to see which direction the infection was going. I asked how long into the fall they expected this repeated diagnostic testing and I suggested amputation.

The same people who said amputation on July 21st before they even ran the first tests and knew darn well there was no bone connecting Francis' wing to his shoulder blade came back with ooh wait a minute we need to see if he will heal. For what purpose, there was no bone connecting his wing to the rest of his body?

I told my sister, they think they hooked a live one and they are going to milk this for as long as they can. I felt it then, I feel it now. To be honest, could I have afforded it? Oh yea. Was it in the best interest to repeatedly sedate my Francis every 4 weeks with the threat of death each time? No.

When I communicated my concerns about this being good for Francis the response was (they still thought she was female) she's fought so hard, she's a survivor, we know you will do anything for the bird.

Sadly I had to speak the language that I knew would penetrate. I wouldn't say that I lied exactly (remember I'm praying for the bird, lol) so I said, you know I'm a retiree on a fixed income..... and that's when they saw the light.

I remain thankful, grateful that I had access to a veterinarian with the skillset to treat my Francis. That said, my name is Bernadette, not Mikey or Patsy.

@Bird mama LOL, and BRAVO!!!

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

possummink — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 21:18:04 GMT

Below is part of the reason I've not been posting much the past few days. There's a follow up to this post. 💔😪

My heart feels like it's breaking and the tears don't stop for long. I noticed a couple days ago that Moose wasn't eating as much as usual and he was sleeping a lot and breathing heavily. I thought at first the 8 consecutive days of 90 plus temps plus the humidity etc were finally getting to him. Saturday I became more aware of his loss of appetite and breathing but he'd come following me whenever I'd check on him and pet him. Sunday I was just hoping he'd make it till Monday morning so I could get him to his vet. I just couldn't stand it so I took him to the emergency vet hospital about 10 miles or so from me. The doctor on duty put him in an oxygen cage and gave him something to ease his breathing. She suggested some procedures and I said do everything to help him. An xray revealed a large mass in his chest, in his lungs near the heart. She said it was probably lymphoma. Not operable due to location and size. He's on steroids and constant oxygen. It's been 24 hours now since hes been in their ICU. They love him and said he's a very special unique and beautiful cat. He interacts with them and has eaten for them, not as much as normal, but food is food and I am happy he's eating at all. I tried giving him water by teaspoon, but it stressed him so I didn't do it much. He gets fluids from the wet food.

The vet doesn't see a good outcome for him and mentions I should think about the unthinkable to me. I don't want him to suffer and have a poor quality of life. He deserves the best I can give him and I have tried knowing that him being feline leukemia positive, something like this might happen, I thought we'd have more time, but it's not looking that way. He's only 1 year old. and I've never had a cat who loved me like Moose does. He's my shadow, constantly near me, greets me at the door when I come home, sits at the door when I leave. etc. I don't know how I can be without him. I can't type much

more or the keyboard will short out from the tears that just don't quit.

So many are praying for him and I just would love a small miracle because that's what it's going to take for him to be able to come home. I know many people don't feel like I do, he's my family, so loved and valued. I feel so bad about the times he wanted to lap sit but I didn't want warm furry bodies on my lap in the hot weather we've had. I regret so much the times we could've spent on pets and purrs. Sorry to go on so much about him. I thought you might want to know. If you would just whisper a prayer for him, maybe that would help get the miracle it'll take for Moose to come home to me and the girls.

PS. The vet and the techs working with Moose said they've never ever seen a tail like that on a cat.

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

possummink — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 21:29:08 GMT

Copied from a post I put on Puddle's thread.

My Moose 💖😪💔💔

I made the saddest and hardest decision of my life and helped him cross the Rainbow Bridge this morning. I was able too love on him, hug him, tell him how much I loved him, and he snuggled my neck and hands. I held his paws and head as he crossed and earned his furangel wings. Heaven has another beautiful and loving furangel today.

I have such a deep emptiness and sadness now and can hardly stand the loneliness and quietness of the house. It's not the same place without him. Even the other kitties notice. Willow snuggled up close to me on the sofa for a long nap. Biscuit has been meowing, and both have been looking for him along with Mattie. He would wait for me to get up in the morning along with Mattie and lead me down the stairs to the kitchen, looking back to see me,. I so miss that beautiful tail guiding me down the steps, waving high as he walked around the house, flying high behind him on mad chases. He would greet me at the door when I'd come home from errands, after sitting by the door as I would shut and lock it when leaving.

I know it was the right decision but that doesn't make it any more bearable. I thought about putting him in our pet cemetery, but wasn't sure I could dig a proper depth and place, so for the first time ever, I am having him cremated and will have him in a little box with his name and pawprint on it. I can then keep him inside for a while or put him with my other past furbabies. I wish y'all could have known him in person, such a very special, loving and sweet kitty. Short life, lived fully and richly, my Moose. The tears just don't stop. 💔💔😪💔💔😪💔💔

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

Bird mama — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 13:20:17 GMT

Sweet and Dear @possummink I am so profoundly sorry to read that your beloved Moose developed an inoperable lymphoma and that you had to make the most unselfish decision you could have ever made by giving Moose back to God.

There are umpteen things I could type out in this post to try to make you feel better. Not one of them are going to be a comfort to you right now. Please give Mattie, Biscuit and Willow a kiss from Auntie Bernie in Michigan. I know they are also grieving.

My flock and I send our love and hugs across the miles.

Edited to post a different photo since the cat/bird photo disappeared.

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

possummink — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:19:05 GMT

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

possummink — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:26:08 GMT

@Bird mama

Bernie, Thank you for the kind words about my Moose. Thank you also for the hugs and love from you and your little feathered family. They surely are family to you as are my kitties. The girls are not playing like they usually do and I haven't heard the thundering cat paws running wild and woolly through the house in the middle of the night for days now. I miss that along with all the antics and mischief perpetrated by Moose for the most part. Some day, I'll get to see that sweet boy and his magnificent tail coming toward me across the Rainbow Bridge. 💔😪

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

possummink — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:28:44 GMT

This brings a good measure of comfort to me.

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

possummink — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:51:45 GMT

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

possummink — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:57:50 GMT

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

viva923 — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 15:32:31 GMT

hey all

not much today

just delightful today

windows are open and fans in windows, has not been like this since June.

did some chores

did my walk

not much else guys

later

Re: Bird's Nest September 2021

Bird mama — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:49:06 GMT

I just got home from the vet. I picked up the medication (silvadene, lol) and after asking for it 4 or 5 times, received a copy of the radiologist report. I tanked up my car and the gas can for the mower because I read somewhere gas prices could get bad after labor day. I'm waiting for Walgreens to email my that my NeilMed wound wash and first aid tape is ready. I placed the order and paid for it at around 6:30 am and I know they open at 9 am.

Once I found the perfect sihouette for it, Francis learned to tolerate the poncho and I have kept his mouth off the two open areas of the incision for 2 days now. He wears it all night and I remove it in the morning where I can keep an eye on him. Today he had it off for 4 hours (was right by me) and I put it on him before I went to the vet. I'll take it off as soon as I pick up the Walgreen's order. I can't speak for other birds however I think that giving him supervised breaks without the poncho on is helping him learn to live with the poncho. On the first day he stood in one place like he was being punished. Yesterday he lay down with it on and this morning he ate and drank with it on. It's not flowing or billowing or anything hence the first aid tape. It's not constricting either, just long enough to cover the incision area. Yesterday when he walked from one room to the other (I had to put it on before I cut the grass), he was walking like a member of the Ministry of Silly Walks.