Thanks, all. I'm fine today. It was stressful to lose her like that, but seems there wasn't much I could do at this point. Although I wasn't as attached to her as I am to Zane, still, Velvet was a beauty, very typey, and made me laugh almost every day at her silliness.
Diana, yes, I had read some of those articles you have on your site, I just in the middle of all the drama, forgot they were yours. Thought I recognized the background on the site. I also have read the thread where someone had a Silkie with the problem and what Pine Grove said on that thread (thanks, William). The gout was another issue-Velvet's comb was fluid filled as was her abdomen. We are not 100% sure she had gout, but it's a moot point now.
Velvet always was a big "pouchy" in the crop area, so maybe she was having slight issues before her molt and it just got so that she couldnt get through them. I was on my way literally with her in my arms to try to empty the crop when she started gagging and spitting up from the slight pressure on her crop. I vaguely realized that the crop was even worse right at the time she began gagging. All that stuff was coming up, slinging everywhere and she just couldn't breathe.
(((hugs)))) right back at you, Stacey. You've been wonderful through all my "stuff" this year!
