MISC BIRDS ~ 2013 - 2015

catwoman · **Posted:** Fri Nov 08, 2013 6:53 pm

The report from today sounds a little more optimistic:

November 8, 2013

No surgery possible, plan is self-rehab and physical therapy.
A number of specialists have gone over Rascal’s case. The local veterinary surgeon specialist examined Rascal today and said that they cannot do anything.
The Avian expert from Oakley has raised ostriches himself. He reviewed the e-mailed x-rays and discussed the case with my avian veterinarian by phone. He has performed dozens of orthopedic procedures on angular limb deformities in birds. However for a number of reasons there is almost no success rate. This would involve osteotomy, external fixation, and these frequently break down especially with such thin small bones that are still growing, with disastrous results. It is not a simple matter of moving a tendon over and tightening it to rotate the leg in the correct orientation. He does not give a very good prognosis for Rascal.
The GOOD news is that Rascal is eating very well and appears healthy otherwise. My veterinarian, who has not given up, has tried a number of substrates and found that if she had footing that had bumps in it, she was able to get her foot against it and could stand up. Rascal was found standing this morning. This is with a memory foam type mattress that sort of looks like an egg crate. My plan is to obtain this type of mattress, and put it in the box that is her house where she would sleep and allow her some help to get up. Otherwise she can walk in the dirt, as she needs to learn how to walk on that surface. She needs a LOT more exercise and walking.
On Tuesday I will discuss with the Oakley avian specialist what a rehab program would entail to help Rascal learn to walk in the most optimal position.
In summary, the plan is:
I will bring the ostriches home tonight,
I will do some final raccoon proofing measures, including a trap.
I will wait for her to gain some strength and weight with free feeding
Physical therapy and gait training next week (when I learn how to do it.)
The kind and knowledgeable Rancher did give me some very good advice for Popcorn, which I do not need at this time since Rascal is coming home.
It was a little strange last night without the ostriches. My kids asked over and over again when they were coming back, I think they were suspicious.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63697

Thanks Catwoman for the update...

I just checked the cam, and the "kids" are home and dozing..in a chick pile!!!

Video of their return...by Eaglewhisperer18

...and Current

catwoman · **Posted:** Sat Nov 09, 2013 12:04 am

Thanks, SGB! I was going to post that they're home & seem happy. :flirty:

Rascal is unsteady on her feet but getting around. I think the unsteadiness is from being confined for a week. I've been through that & I was unsteady for a couple of days too. She's already much steadier on her feet & isn't using her wings for balance after less than a couple of hours.

I'm thinking the concern about Rascal getting up after lying down isn't really a problem. I've seen her get up twice in the limited amount of time I've watched tonight & she just popped right up. Maybe she had trouble getting up at the Vet's because of the weakness from confinement.

Catbird · **Posted:** Sat Nov 09, 2013 10:55 am

Thanks for all the ostrich chick updates!

At the Ontario feeder cam, yesterday it was bright and sunny with two Evening Grosbeaks at the feeder.

And this morning, it's snowing heavily with a grouse at the feeder.

What a difference a day makes!

catwoman · **Posted:** Sat Nov 09, 2013 5:23 pm

Good comparison photos, Catbird--thanks! :cold:

catwoman · **Posted:** Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:39 am

Dash let the kids run free in his backyard for a bit yesterday & got pictures of their adventure. Here's a link to his FB page with the pics:

For anyone who doesn't have FB, here's my favorite pic:

Ferenz · **Posted:** Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:53 am

The Real PIP Ostrich Pages :leafwave:

Quote:

November 10, 2013
Day 29

Exercise
Therapeutic exercise was letting them wander in the yard for about 10
minutes. Rascal maneuvered well, even going up and down uneven terrain. So
far so good.

Nutrition
I sprinkled oyster shell in the food and in the dirt.
I put grit in the food
I am still adding some chick vitamins to the water.
Nearly done with the chick medicated feed, will be completely on ratite 18 %
soon.
I put extra alfalfa in a cut milk carton
I am giving them spinach until I can find Kale.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 4633586792

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63697

Thanks Ferenz for bringing those pics and info over. I wonder what the chickens thought!!! :teehee:

catwoman · **Posted:** Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:29 pm

Baby Ostriches

Dash is giving the kids an outing in the yard & has set up a cam so we can watch. He's been trying different types of braces on different parts of Rascal's leg to see what works best to help her keep her balance & walk better. The last one he tried seems to be helping a lot. It seems to cover most of her leg. He hasn't given up on helping her! :sum9:

Beth · **Posted:** Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:32 pm

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63697

Catbird · **Posted:** Sun Nov 24, 2013 4:39 pm

The Ontario Feeder Cam has been quite busy lately. Yesterday morning it was the Evening Grosbeaks, and this morning it was the Grouse (along with some Chickadees flying in and out).

catwoman · **Posted:** Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:20 pm

New update on the Ostrich FB page. Dash has designed a sling for Rascal & judging by the videos from the Dashcam, she's doing very well in it. She can walk well in it & run, which is probably the first time she's been able to run. He said if she tolerates it well, he will build a track for the sling to give her more freedom, & it certainly looked to me & the others that commented that she was very pleased with it! Dash had asked people to get a video of her in the sling so that he could show the vet. Here is the link to the FB page:

He had shut the cam off a few days ago because things were looking very bleak. She could barely walk & he was thinking that he would have to have her put down soon. I sure hope this works!

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63697

Thanks so much for that update...I had seen the FB post, but it was "pre-sling"...so, it was great to see the video...

Of course, I had to start my research again...and found the most amazing pics...There is a kangaroo in ohio with a prosthetic leg...a KANGAROO!!!! and I also found a stork AND a sandhill crane with prosthetics..I don't know if Dash would ever take it that far..I'm sure all who loved Rascal would help pay for it...but, I think that's his best chance as he gets older.

Ferenz · **Posted:** Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:59 am

from fb

Beth · **Posted:** Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:11 am

Many thanks for the updates...
Dash sure has a heart of gold.

catwoman · **Posted:** Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:12 pm

Here is the latest update from Dash:

November 24, 2013 Rascal in a sling

I do not get the sensation of stress with the sling. I get the sensation that she is using it to help her walk. When she stands she gets no support, only if she stumbles or leans does it start to hold her up.

I put a pulley but since it is rope (not coated cable) it does not slide smoothly, need to update hardware tomorrow. But she seems to really enjoy it.

My hope is to give her several sessions a day with increasing time, and see if she eats more and thrives with the exercise and being able to follow Popcorn. If this succeeds, I hope to be offered a splint from a vet who may reconsider trying something radical. (To me if surgery was an option with a huge likelihood of catastrophic failure, trying a few things and a splint shouldn't be out of line. )

She does not want to sit down after she gets out of this, she seems excited (happy?)

Beth · **Posted:** Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:05 pm

Thanks Nancy!
:pilgrimwave:

catwoman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 26, 2013 7:54 pm

I just continue to be amazed at what is being done to help Rascal. I was delighted to see her outside in the sling & being able to walk well, but I thought there would still be problems when the kids were in their pen where a sling wouldn't be possible (or so I thought)! I just watched a video made by one of the cam viewers of the 2 ostriches in their pen & Dash has a smaller sling on her. He has somehow rigged it so that if she wants to lay down, she can. But if she wants to be up moving around it supports her. He even cut a slit in the box they sleep in & have the heat lamp in so that she can simply walk inside wearing the sling! This is a prime example of "where there's a will, there's a way"! :loveshow:

Beth · **Posted:** Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:45 pm

This is just tremendous Nancy-thanks so much for posting!!

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MISC BIRDS ~ 2013 - 2015

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