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19 May 2003 - Our Last Good Day with Austin. (3 days before death)
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To everyone, ThankGod for all of you!. I don't know how I would be getting through this without the words of all of you to keep me inspired enough to work through each day and try to move forward. It is hard, but I am trying to make each day seem like it was before, trying to not allow myself to think to much of worse case senarios. Trying hard is the key word. Today is a beautiful hot sunny day and I decided to take each of the birds out in their outdoor aviary for some sunshine and warmth. Even JoJo and Callie had the opportunity to go outside today. They all loved it. Playing away. Im sure being cooped in the house for 9 months (our horrible weather) takes its toll. Update on Austin. He just may be our little miracle. He woke up this morning (his cage is beside me in my bedroom) chomping on pellets. He had a considerable amount of stool that passed through the night, which was so relieving to see. He seemed quite relaxed, wiggling his little tail when i picked him up. He ate well as I've started to mix his formula at the proper consistency. It is 3:10PM and still through all his feedings so far today, he hasn't regurgitated at all. Oh boy that makes me happy!. He is in very good spirits and there is no more begging of any sorts. We put one of those swivel ropes that hang down over top the couch in the our other living room right infront of the large widow to the backyard, so he can play and perch on that and see outside. He's been loving that and seems very content to be there without freting to be with the other birds. Laying newspaper under him, he is pooping now a few times in an hour, with formed stools that are slowly starting to increase in solidness and size. Another really great event!. It was so warm out today, and for he was feeling, I brought him outside. HIs first time outside EVER in his life. We sat on the swing together in sun. He enjoyed that and seems rested and ready to sleep now. His weight yesterday morning was 254 and this morning it was 260. It is hard to tell whether this actual weight gain, because his crop is still somewhat swollen and spongy. The more approp way to tell is by feeling his keel bone and the muscle. Perhaps too early, but over all, my little Austin seems better again today. Which only brings more hope for tommorrow. Austin thanks you all for praying so hard for him, whatever you guys are doing, is working
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19 May 2003 - Evening Update
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All, Austin is again, improving im sure of it. Tonight, he played on that rope we made in the living room, chewing on some toys. Something so simple we take forgranted in our healthy birds.....is something I've learned to cheerish. Austin seems to be adapting abit better not being the other 2 timneh's, he sees them through glass doors now and then, hears them and calls back sometimes, other times today, he made like he was going to fly down looking for them. It breaks my heart tho, because he's not lived life without them in his day. Tons of bonding time we have been having in hopes that he can learn to further except our current conditions. At bedtime, covering the other birds while he was in the living room, he climbed down the couch and i could hear his little feet on the hardwood floors, Well, there he was following me hoping im sure, to be put to bed with this buddies. He fought me going into his critter pen (which btw fits a macaw) and will do for awhile till we can eitehr buy or make a new one just for him. The fighteing or protesting *grin* is more like Austin, when he doesnt want something. Again, keeping an ever so close eye on his stools, he is definately producing them more frequently. Another note, which im sure could change now and then.....is that since adding the crushed/powdered nuts, i noticed thtat he had 2 stools tonight without any "Undigested" portions. (Nuts are so crushed that it is safe to give....but his poops most of the time, had little tiny pieces in them. So tonight 2 of them didn't. Another little thing that im so relieved and happy to see. (But could just be a flook)??? We'll see. Tommorrow, I'll be talking to my reg vet to find out more about supportive care for Austin, including his special diet. If he continues to improve and we note he is gaining weight and at the right time, Austin will need the barium test and an Xray again down the road to see any changes. I want to know at that point, is he still contagious? Or will he forever have to be away from the others. I'll also be talking to the OVC specialists tommorrow and in contact on Wednesday, to find out what the next coarse of action will be. Like i said, if Austin is improving I will refuse any more tests till at least he is well on the road to recovery and able to handle better abit of stress. But i do know they want to see Emily and Austin as soon as possible. So im sure my other 2 babies will be next for a full blood panel, and at least the barium test. If the barium test shows the slightest abnormal digestion, then Xray will be needed etc. Then on too the rest of the birds for the same tests and/or treatment if neccessary. The key is to catch this early as possible if indeed this is PDD. So , im worried, nervous and scared at the thoughts of taking my other 2....but at least I am prepared and at least I know there is some kind of help for them. That alone, knowing there is a "chance" to fight this, the hope will remain. Next Miracle: For austin to get better and this horrible thing he is suffering from never returns its ugly face again, and that my other babies do not contract this.
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