Fox attack - limp neck

[Summer Lion]

Yep, that's the way I know it, ice pack is best for only a few days and then it's not necessary. So after your post, I applied it to her rear end (in a plastic bag) and let her sit on that. Only one day did I do that. The next day the 'squishy balloon' felt less squishy. No more ice packs. I think she's done there. Yesterday we prepared the sling in the bin and she's been in it ever since. She looks more comfortable and is up off that left side, which is apparently her weak side. The 'balloon' looks more evenly distributed and isn't as big. If I lift up her tail feathers this balloon thing looks like a saggy balloon now rather than a full balloon. So swelling and fluid is going down.

Today is a new problem. As of yesterday afternoon she is becoming harder to feed. Refusing to drink a whole cup of anything. Water, food, yogurt, anything we offer. I have the feeding tube in hand and I will try to do this today. What's happened is she's become stronger in her neck, so holding her beak in a cup is not as easy. And I think she quite frankly sick of eating out of this cup. I put a small tray of layer feed in front of her and she does like to look at it and get a few pecks but she eats nothing. So today will be interesting.....

Yesterday when we took her outside she laid in the grass and then she pushed off with her right side and managed to get out away from the towel propping her up and spun herself around to the left. This is a problem. If she does have neuro damage making the left leg and neck weak, I'm not sure if the outcome of nursing her was all in vain. She can't live like that. But we are going to give her time, at least a month to see what we end up with. I'm optimistic that she can remain alive and may regain her ability to eat and drink on her own, but her ability to walk again is going to be a struggle : \

Last night I put a 2" limb of round wood in the bottom of her bin so she could be in a roost-like position. This morning she was still gripping it. But I removed it so she could set her feet down. I think she approves of the sling.

Now the balloon butt is going down, but the eating is the new problem. Will let you know how that goes. We plan to attempt it shortly.

Thank you so much for your insight. I do believe your experience in surgery is a great tool of knowledge!

I have to say that years ago my beagle had a freak accident. A cat knocked a heavy resin plaque off the mantelpiece and it hit my Belle when she was sleeping on her back. Readers Digest version....surgery for thousands of dollars and no guarantee of outcome or put her out of her misery. My vet, rest his soul, gave her a horse muscle relaxer shot (not supposed to, but I trusted him and it would be a 1 time shot - she wss in so much pain)and canine pain/anti inflammatory pills, and he said: "Mother Nature is a funny thing. I have seen her step in and fill a vacuum. So long as she is kept quiet and we deal with her pain, Nature just may step in and do the rest. I've seen this happen when all hope is gone. Give it time." I did. My Belle recovered and she lived out her little beagle life with no I'll effects. I applaud you for giving Olga time because I know how trying and worrisome this is. Maybe Mother Nature will step in.

 

[Loona]

I have to say that years ago my beagle had a freak accident. A cat knocked a heavy resin plaque off the mantelpiece and it hit my Belle when she was sleeping on her back. Readers Digest version....surgery for thousands of dollars and no guarantee of outcome or put her out of her misery. My vet, rest his soul, gave her a horse muscle relaxer shot (not supposed to, but I trusted him and it would be a 1 time shot - she wss in so much pain)and canine pain/anti inflammatory pills, and he said: "Mother Nature is a funny thing. I have seen her step in and fill a vacuum. So long as she is kept quiet and we deal with her pain, Nature just may step in and do the rest. I've seen this happen when all hope is gone. Give it time." I did. My Belle recovered and she lived out her little beagle life with no I'll effects. I applaud you for giving Olga time because I know how trying and worrisome this is. Maybe Mother Nature will step in.

That's an awesome story and wow, what a freak accident that was. Glad you had a great vet that took a chance. Sad to say so many today are reluctant to follow their intuition.
I can totally understand when someone realizes the odds aren't great and they put their pet out of further suffering, but then there are times when something tells us to keep trying. I feel it's one of those times.
Earlier today I was able to feed Olgo 2 of those cups, but it was not easy. Took a 1/2 hour and it normally only takes 5 full minutes for one. So I read over Casportpony's info/vids, got a visual of the open mouth, and down the hatch w/the tube. Gave her 2oz of Exact in a matter of a slow minute. It was quite easy. I felt the tube in her crop and felt/heard her breath on my ear and just slowly pushed it in. Where there's a will there's a way! LOL I've been dreading this moment, but I'm glad I finally did it. Tomorrow, I'll mix it with electrolyte water (wish I had remembered to do that) and a few drops of Poultry-Cell.
I'm feeling so relieved that we've done this.
Thanks so much for everyone's help here. It is encouraging and astounding!

 

[biophiliac]

That's an awesome story and wow, what a freak accident that was. Glad you had a great vet that took a chance. Sad to say so many today are reluctant to follow their intuition.
I can totally understand when someone realizes the odds aren't great and they put their pet out of further suffering, but then there are times when something tells us to keep trying. I feel it's one of those times.
Earlier today I was able to feed Olgo 2 of those cups, but it was not easy. Took a 1/2 hour and it normally only takes 5 full minutes for one. So I read over Casportpony's info/vids, got a visual of the open mouth, and down the hatch w/the tube. Gave her 2oz of Exact in a matter of a slow minute. It was quite easy. I felt the tube in her crop and felt/heard her breath on my ear and just slowly pushed it in. Where there's a will there's a way! LOL I've been dreading this moment, but I'm glad I finally did it. Tomorrow, I'll mix it with electrolyte water (wish I had remembered to do that) and a few drops of Poultry-Cell.
I'm feeling so relieved that we've done this.
Thanks so much for everyone's help here. It is encouraging and astounding!

...

 

[Summer Lion]

That's an awesome story and wow, what a freak accident that was. Glad you had a great vet that took a chance. Sad to say so many today are reluctant to follow their intuition.
I can totally understand when someone realizes the odds aren't great and they put their pet out of further suffering, but then there are times when something tells us to keep trying. I feel it's one of those times.
Earlier today I was able to feed Olgo 2 of those cups, but it was not easy. Took a 1/2 hour and it normally only takes 5 full minutes for one. So I read over Casportpony's info/vids, got a visual of the open mouth, and down the hatch w/the tube. Gave her 2oz of Exact in a matter of a slow minute. It was quite easy. I felt the tube in her crop and felt/heard her breath on my ear and just slowly pushed it in. Where there's a will there's a way! LOL I've been dreading this moment, but I'm glad I finally did it. Tomorrow, I'll mix it with electrolyte water (wish I had remembered to do that) and a few drops of Poultry-Cell.
I'm feeling so relieved that we've done this.
Thanks so much for everyone's help here. It is encouraging and astounding!

I agree, sometimes you just go with your gut and give it a shot. I also agree that the support here is commendable. Olga is getting great care and is a fighter, a good ending could happen.

 

[biophiliac]

So I read over Casportpony's info/vids, got a visual of the open mouth, and down the hatch w/the tube. Gave her 2oz of Exact in a matter of a slow minute. It was quite easy. I felt the tube in her crop and felt/heard her breath on my ear and just slowly pushed it in. Where there's a will there's a way! LOL I've been dreading this moment, but I'm glad I finally did it. T

CONGRATULATIONS @Loona you are among the 'elite' group of members with experience at tube feeding! Got to be scary the first time.

 

[Loona]

CONGRATULATIONS @Loona you are among the 'elite' group of members with experience at tube feeding! Got to be scary the first time.

It's crazy but true! LOL My daughter and I just looked at each other like OMG. We did it!

 

[Loona]

Time will tell. I thought if you could hold the sling and walk with her, save your back. I'm sure she is tender and sore all over. If she keeps eating and drinking, then pooping, I'd say it's a good day.

Keep us posted!

Good idea, I will try that. Thank you!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Oh Loona, Olga is such a lucky girl. You were very brave to try this and Olga is so lucky to be in such a caring family. Keep us posted when you can, such an inspiring story this has been for all of us here.

 

[6PeckinChickens]

How are things with Olga? I hope things are going well and think of you all often!

 

[Kiki]

How are things with Olga? I hope things are going well and think of you all often!

X2