- Apr 19, 2013
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I've just recovered from a mild traumatic brain injury. It took 10 months, but I steadily improved with a few set backs here and there. According to my neurologist, rest is the most important thing you can give a recovering brain--lots of sleep, low stress and mental rest. It is very hard to not think, but not thinking is what a recovering brain needs. If she were my chicken, I would be putting her in a quiet darkened box for longer than a normal-length night.I am in need of...I don't know. Assistance? Guidance? Encouragement? Affirmation?
My little 5 month old porcelain silkie pullet got pecked on the head by my bantam BR during introductions, and has been pretty much down n' out since. That was a week ago. I have been feeding her around 3-4 times a day, and finally got to the point where she's maintaining weight (hoping that'll change and she'll add weight).
She does not exhibit the normal "wry neck" symptoms besides a drifting head as I like to call it. She doesn't move her head in weird positions, tuck, flip over, etc. All she does is sit and stand around all day, moving her head slightly. Our major problem is that she will not eat and drink on her own. She hasn't pecked at anything since she was hit. I was hand feeding her with tweezers and a syringe until yesterday when my vet helped me jerry-rig a feeding tube out of a large syringe and a catheter. She is currently being fed pellets and baby bird formula (powder+water). Tonight I added some pellets to her slurry to try and get more nutrients in her.
At this point, I don't know what to do. I am tired, and my efforts seem futile. However it seems like every day she fights me harder at each feeding, keeps her eyes open for longer periods of time, seems more aware...I dunno. I just picked up some prednisone from a friend and gave her her first dose tonight.
Anyone know how long it takes for head injuries to heal, or if this sounds like something that will heal? I can't tell if this is brain damage or something that will heal. I just don't know how long I should continue what I'm doing, but I am very exhausted. She comes to work with me and gets fed on my breaks.
Thanks, and here's a pic of my baby before her head injury
Prednisone was not part of the therapy, and I think the studies on spinal cord injuries suggest it does not improve outcomes
Yes, I think she will recover.
When I was first injured I had no self awareness. I would forget to keep holding onto a cup I had in my hands. I forgot to eat. I forgot to fill the water bowl for my poor dog for days (thankfully, it rained over that period). Strangers would talk really, really slowly to me using short, simple sentences and words. I had trouble understanding and following conversations. I was a mess. It took me several months to recognize just how bad I was. I thought I was getting worse, but the doctor was thrilled because I was becoming self aware. I still have a couple of little issues, but I am basically back to who I was.
