Pipped through a vein, shrimpy leg

[MisterGribs]

lovezebs I thought it might be, but lately she's been gasping / breathing with open mouth. There's no clicking, and the bandage isn't too tight, so other than pain, I don't know what this is from.

[lovezebs]

MisterGribs

She could be too warm, or stressing over being confined.

[MisterGribs]

lovezebs I took off her bandage and the hospital cage is at 35 celcius. Unfortunately, I can't give her more pain management than I'm giving.

[lovezebs]

MisterGribs

35c is pretty warm, especially if she is wrapped up most of the time. I would think she's quite hot, hence the panting.

[MisterGribs]

lovezebs it's definitely not panting. It's a rhythmic deep breath, I've only otherwise seen it in Vilu, when she was eggbound. It's much slower than heat panting, and a bit slower than respiritory distress.

The medicine I'm using is diclofenac. Did some reading online and found it causes loads of problems in some species of birds, so I'm a bit mistrustful.

[MisterGribs]

I turned the temp down a little for her, I'll bring it down until she starts to shiver then turn it back to the previous setting.

[lovezebs]

MisterGribs

I think that with her being fully feathered, and not really 'sick', a temperature of between 26c - 30c should be suficient I should think.

I wouldn't make her shiver, as sudden big changes in temperature are not healthy, but a slight very gradual lowering, might make her more comfortable.

[MisterGribs]

lovezebs ok, I'll have it meet in themiddle, it's down to 32now and I lower it incrimentally.

[lovezebs]

MisterGribs

Hope it makes her more comfortable .
Get some sleep Gribbie!

[MisterGribs]

OK, so, the leg was healing well and the leg waas bearing weight, so I took it out of the bandage only for it to refracture.

In a different place, close to her pelvis.

I couldn't doom her to a life of constant, excruciating pain so terrible that she could hardly breathe, so she's no longer with us. It was a very peaceful, non-violent end involving bird pain killers and human sleeping medication, and she was very happy and comfortable.

Now this bit is very important if anyone happens to be reading this:

If you have a chick that survives pipping through a vein that has a stunted wing or leg, it is vitally important that you administer extra calcium frequently and with every feeding. I'm not a biologist, but it seems very plain to me that the stunted leg was not receiving enough blood flow for one reason or another, and hence was not getting adequate calcium, resulting in brittle bones that break simply under the weight of the chick once it begins to reach fledge size.

Along with this extra calcium you must also provide extra vitamin D! It is crucial, otherwise the additional calcium will not be absorbed!! If your chick survives pipping through a vein, and you want it to have a better chance at life, you will need to handfeed it in order to supply it with these extra nutrients, and if this doesn't solve the problem, you may need to have the limb surgically amputated by a licensed veterinarian in order for the bird to live a life without pain.

Finches are very fragile animals and the pain alone can kill them.

[lovezebs]

MisterGribs

I am so so sorry sweetie ......

I wish I could give you a big hug right now.

[Fraza]

Oh no I’m so sorry Ive been reading this story for ages hoping she pulls through and waiting to hear good news