Angry/disappointed/frustrated/down right furious!!!!!!

[MiaCarter]

An addendum to the note above: I should mention that lots of zinc is believed to be a possible cause of Twirler's.
Not sure if ointment would have enough to cause problems, especially in the short term.
Zinc bacitracin is recommended for avian use, so it may be a case where it's not problematic with short-term use, or maybe there is a risk, but it's outweighed by the risk of fatal sepsis.
There is bacitracin without zinc too. (I just checked my ointment and it has bacitracin, but no zinc).
But nevertheless, I thought it would be good to mention just so you're aware.

[cindy]

You need to be very careful using zinc products, zinc is toxic to birds

http://www.parrotislandinc.com/articles/apoison.htm

http://www3.sympatico.ca/davehansen/avpoison.html

"2.1 Zinc
Sources include galvanized cage wire ("new wire disease"), galvanized food dishes, bird toy snaps, quick links, zippers, keys, nails, plumbing nuts, nuts on animal transport cages, hardware cloth, padlocks, pennies minted after 1982, some antirust paints, zinc oxide ointment, some soldering fluxes. Toxicity: Corrosive to gastrointestinal tract. Absorbed zinc is bound to plasma proteins and deposited in liver, kidney, muscle and pancreas. Causes acute and chronic toxicity. Clinical effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, necrotizing ventriculitis, ataxia, depression, seizures; kidney, liver and pancreatic damage. Feather plucking. Precautions:Treat new galvanized wire and cages by cleaning with vinegar solution and then power washing to remove zinc spicules and zinc oxide powder."

I would avoid the zinc in the ointment

[Olympic_Aiairies]

Cindy thanks for the info on the zinc. I didn't know that.

Mia I read the articles you posted. It sounds like she has dry gangrene since there is no open wound. If that's the case the leg should shrivel and fall off. If it was wet gangrene than she'd be getting worse not better since it says she'd have a fever from the bacteria.

Here's hoping.

Cindy I've learned my lesson. I didn't do that this time because I had written out a detailed meal plan and was going to pay him 200 to looks after them for the 10 days. Next time I'll be hanging a bunch of millet in each cage along with dried greens.

[MiaCarter]

That's great news to hear she has dry gangrene/necrosis. If you have to have it, that's the type to have!

That's such a blessing that nature has designed it so the nerves die before the necrosis begins, so they don't feel any pain.

I had a feral cat with a necrotic tail tip (no idea how that happened.) And it fell off on its own before I could trap him. (Smart bugger kept evading me!)

Many farmers actually use this to castrate animals. They put a constriction type of band around the boy bits and apparently, the tissue dies and falls off. (I'm sure all the male readers are cringing at that!)

It's fairly common practice, from what I know. I guess it must be relatively safe if it's so commonplace.

Apparently, they do it around here to wild pigs. Some of the boars get aggressive and cause problems, so they do that to help neutralize hormones. (I actually saw my first wild pigs the other day! They were so cute! Just looked like giant black potbellied pigs walking down the side of the road at the edge of the forest!)

So back to little miss iHop! How's she doing?

[Olympic_Aiairies]

Been finding her last night and this morning resting on the bottom of the cage. Not sure what that's about but she's still bright eyed and if I come into the room she flys up to the perch. I'm thinking maybe it's more comfortable for her? Not sure why she'd choose that over the open nest though.

I have her in a really small cage right now as I was originally worried about her moving around too much but was thinking if she's still looking good by the weekend I might move her to her own bigger cage. There's nothing wrong with her wings and I think it might be good for her mentally.

[MiaCarter]

Olympic_Aiairies -- Hmm...that's curious on her hanging out on the floor.
Priscilla was doing the exact same thing and flying up when I came in. I watched from a distance and she'd go down to eat/drink, then would just hang out there, as she found it difficult to go up and down. So maybe the same for iHop?
Or perhaps it's just more comfortable.

Do you have the little open canary nests with the vents on the bottom?
If so, I'd make sure they're covered up. (I'd use paper tape -- I get it in the first aid section and it's bird-safe).
If she can't feel that lower leg, she could end up in a bad situation where she gets her leg or foot caught without realizing it until it's too late.
If she tried to take off while her leg is caught up, she could tear it open or worse (especially as that skin and tissue degrades.)

[Olympic_Aiairies]

It is an open cup canary nest but it's stuffed with coconut fiber so the weaves aren't exposed at all. I was thinking the same thing as you which is why I covered them with the fiber. It may be the cage is too small for her to move around in so she's preferring the floor. It really is a tiny cage. I use it as my travel cage because it's so small.

[lovezebs]

Hi Heidi.
Your little I-Hop might just be more comfortable on the ground where she doesnt have to worry about perching and balancing. As long as she is not fluffed up, and is eating and drinking normally , I wouldn't worry too much.
Are the rest of the crew doing alright?

[Olympic_Aiairies]

More bad news....the four chicks that managed to hatch died today. Looks like mom was too stressed to feed them. That's 9 birds in total (8 babies and 1 hen) I've lost plus Ihops injury. Feeling down!

[Corkysgirl]

It's so sad and I don't know what I'd do if I were in your shoes. I have 5 brothers. I'd probably have one less if it happened to me. You can only go forward from here and can't look back. You did nothing wrong and can't change what's happened. I hope that Ihop continues to improve for you and that you can rebuild your aviary. I know it's not the same! I wish I could say something that would help. Just know you have a lot of well wishers and supporters behind you!

[lovezebs]

Olympic_Aiairies
Hi Heidi.
Was sorry to hear about your babies. I feel for you and I wish that things could be different, but... At times life throws things our way that we don't expect or deserve, trust me, I know!!!

I hope your remaining birds will survive and get strong again and live to breed and give you more beautiful babies in the future.

Hugs coming your way.

[MiaCarter]

Corkysgirl - Said really well!

I'm so sorry, Heidi. My heart sank when I read this. I was really pulling for the little ones. And I know from experience how hard it is to determine if the parents are feeding right. There's such a small window when you can act to intervene and save those little ones - minutes, really.

I know what it's like to lose a lot at once like this and it's heartbreaking.
A significant number of the ferals that we care for have FIV (cat-version of HIV/AIDS). Last year, we had an illness sweep the feral colony, claiming 7 lives when all was said and done. It was awful. We did all we could with medications and so forth, but nothing helped. It was terrible. We were helpless. I bet you're feeling similar. It's not a nice place to be.

[lovezebs]

MiaCarter
Poor kitties. ..
Can your rescue adopt a vet and get some vacinations happening?

[MiaCarter]

lovezebs -- Already done!

All but 2 are spayed/neutered and vaccinated. (Only because they've evaded my trapping efforts, but I'll get' em eventually!) I've found it's in my best interest, as otherwise, I end up with more cats, LOL! It's impossible to find homes for shy/quirky former-feral FIV+ kittens here, so I keep them. And that, my friend, is how you end up with 16 cats! But with good care, they live a good life with near-normal lifespan, just like humans with HIV.

We are SO blessed to have a low-cost spay-neuter clinic in our county. They actually do ferals/strays for free, as long as you ear tip. (Though we usually give a donation out of pocket so the program can continue!) We also have a vet that we work with for injuries and illness.

I also have a couple vials of rabies vaccine that I use for maintenance. I have a giant notebook that I use to keep track of everyone. Each one has a page, with their name, photo and traits for identification, vaccination and spay/neuter records, etc.

Unfortunately, the FIV vaccine is not effective. There are several strains of FIV; the vaccine is only effective for a couple of strains. The strain that's prevalent here is not covered by the vaccine.

Back to topic.....
How's little iHop doing?
How is that leg looking? I wonder how long it will take for it to fall off?

[lovezebs]

MiaCarter
Way to go Mia
My two kitties are both "throw aways" but not feral. Thomas, was left behind (outside) when his former owners moved away. A big, beautiful teddy bear of a Maine Coon, who's been with us now for 14 years.

And Gillie, who was tossed out of a car (as a five month old kitten) in a bank parking lot, to fend for herself. She's 11 and a half now.
Hats off to you and the work that you do.

@Olympic_Aiairies
Hi Heidi.
Hope I-Hop is hopping along happily. Keep us up to date, please