Amazon - possible fractured femur

[DonnaBudgie]

You're in such a horrible position. I don't know what to say (for once) other than follow your gut instinct. You and Max will be in my heart. I'm so sorry you're facing this.

 

[wrench13]

I faced a similar event with our dog Tinker, who had a massive tumor in her lower jaw, which was twice removed and still grew back. She was 14 yrs old, old for her breed and each time she was in pain and her eating fell off. I had to take her to the vet to be put down, it was the humane thing to do. It was hard. But in your case Max is eating and preening and cuddling so, while he is in pan , evidently its not that much. Honestly I would let him live as long as he can without showing signs of severe pain and only consider the alternative then. With the add'l complications you listed, I would not hazard surgery.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Personally, I wouldn't do the surgery. Let him heal as well as bones can without being aligned properly and if he limps, so what? He can rest his weight on his good leg. The surgery will cause him more pain and could easily kill him. I don't know if Lilibet the budgies femur healed in an aligned position- probably not- but she recovered enough to live another year.

 

[Shoegoo]

Makes me wonder why I don't have insurance for my parrot. I had to put my GCC in for a 2 nighter at the vet for testing and observation. Plus I had to give her meds and follow up visits. It adds up.

 

[Geslina]

Personally, I wouldn't do the surgery. Let him heal as well as bones can without being aligned properly and if he limps, so what? He can rest his weight on his good leg. The surgery will cause him more pain and could easily kill him. I don't know if Lilibet the budgies femur healed in an aligned position- probably not- but she recovered enough to live another year.

I only wish that had been a better option. Believe me, I thought about doing nothing, and having more time to spend with him….if he doesn’t survive the surgery, I will never see him again. But the way the bone was broken, it looked like a half and then the other half with a long, thin, splintery piece, It might be dangerous to have that long thin piece of bone poking around in there. I dropped him off this morning. I have been crying since Saturday. Praying like crazy. Even stopped at a church in this little town on the way to the vet, lit a cnald

Makes me wonder why I don't have insurance for my parrot. I had to put my GCC in for a 2 nighter at the vet for testing and observation. Plus I had to give her meds and follow up visits. It adds up.

You're in such a horrible position. I don't know what to say (for once) other than follow your gut instinct. You and Max will be in my heart. I'm so sorry you're facing this.

Yes, it was a hard decision to make….but I had to give him a chance. I dropped him off at 8:30 this morning, then drove around the area, there was a cute little historic village type town, I went to a cafe in an old building that used to be a mill, ordered a latte. Then I stopped at this old church, which was actually open, went inside, prayed, lit a candle for Max. Then I stopped in a flea market on my way south. Just trying to stay busy, phone in my hand, mantra NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS playing over and over in my head.

I was putting groceries away when the vet called. Right away I could hear excitement in her voice, and that gave me hope for what was coming - he did great in surgery!! It went much better than she expected. They were able to fix the fracture, no problems. There was a huge hematoma, and some blood loss from that, and it took a little longer, but he stayed stable, and all his bloodwork is good post surgery. He woke up from the anesthesia ok…and promptly bit one of the techs, which I think is a very good sign.

Thank you so much to everyone here who has been listening, and for your good thoughts. I know we are not even out of the woods yet, but I believe in this bird, he is strong, and it looks like I chose the right place for his care! I am just so happy and relieved. Hoping he continues to do well!!

 

[LaManuka]

Oh I'm so glad to hear this news @Geslina! Hope Max makes a full and speedy recovery!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm so happy for you and Max I'm literally crying!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I read an avian medical article recently that talked about blood loss in birds and it explained that birds handle blood loss a lot better than mammals do. A bird can lose more than 50% to 70% of its blood volume and because of

Heres the article:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...IQFnoECFkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2URnphVw2gNpaPpKpYALRi

the physiologic response to reduced volume (vasoconstriction) it doesn't suffer from lack of blood to the brain and other vital organs. A bird also has large stores of red blood cells ready to release into the bloodstream to restore the lost blood.

Again, I'm filled with JOY for you and Max!