Zane... An Update for Those Interested

[speckledhen]

The infection was so bad, I wasn't sure if it would exacerbate it to continually work the joint. That darn infection was a tough one. I know the joint has stiffened up alot, but maybe we can get it moving again. So hard to know what to do sometimes. I guess I'm hanging onto him because I love him so much and he's the only rooster I have right now who had the tutelage of his dad for awhile...well, unless you count the "lesson" Hawkeye taught to Suede one day, LOL.

 

[Cetawin]

Cyn that is a hard decision and I would hate to have make it however, as caretakers, we must think of them first. When a decision needs to be made, you will make it.

I think Zane can tell you in his own way. Still keep fingers crossed and saying a prayer every morning for him.

 

[cockadoodlemom]

Just felt you and Zane need all the

you can get. I am so sorry that yall are still not out of the woods. Praying God continues to give you both strength to continue your fight.

 

[EweSheep]

Maybe with two very receptive BR girls with Zane would probably help him get the interest in breeding or "be a studly rooster" once again.

Only time can tell with his therapy and hopefully next year Zane will be up and breeding all the way!

 

[Ellie]

Oh, Cyn, if anyone could ask Zane, it would be you and the DH. You know him so well.

That was a hard question to answer on a public forum and I thank you for your courage to do so because it may help others with their flock at some point.

Sigh,
Ellie

 

[CarriBrown]

Cyn, you are a great chicken mama. You will know if the time comes.

 

[theOEGBman]

Cyn, if anyone can do it, it is you and Tom. Im so glad to hear the infection is gone. You all are still in my prayers.

 

[speckledhen]

Some sort-of good news for you wonderful people... We were able to get the leg straighter today than previously, so seems the therapy is loosening up that hock joint. I also hung him in the sling to get more circulation back by not having any weight sitting on the leg bent under him.
We once again did a test with a pin. He really has absolutely no feeling in his foot at all. I dont know if it can ever come back, either. Maybe we can get the joint moving, but the sensation is another issue altogether.

 

[thndrdancr]

Good luck with him Cyn,

You know, when my mom had her stroke, I started reading and reading. They are now finding that just movement can bring back a certain amount of feeling in stroke victims.

Always before, they thought the stroke patient had to TRY to move along with the movement the therapists were doing, but as of this last year, they were hooking some up to machines for like an hour a day doing rotational movement, etc while they were sleeping, and it was beginning to make the nerves regrow! I found it quite fascinating, so maybe, just maybe....

I sure am hoping for him, and Lily sends her love and well wishes to her bro!

 

[crtrlovr]

I'm glad to see this thread; I was mowing my yard yesterday and kept thinking, "I wonder what's going on with Zane..."
I have a cockatiel dealing with similar issues, and the avian vet (just this morning) said that even if full muscle and nerve regeneration doesn't happen, if we can get the toes uncurled and keep them relatively flat, he can still use the foot for balance and let the other leg do most of the weight bearing. Would it be the same for Zane? I certainly do hope so. For little critters, they surely do take up lots of room in our hearts...
As for the other issue, I know we think of our roos as proud, (and I know they most assuredly do have emotions), but I wonder if we may read a bit too much into the pride part of it. If he was with some of the more even tempered girls and in a "handicap accessible" coop with modifications, wouldn't he be back to loving life again? Seems like as strong a will to live as he has demonstrated, he wants to live, with everything within him. I hope I haven't offended anyone or overstepped any bounds, I just feel such an affinity for a roo and his family I've never even met; just have seen their pix. Best to you and yours, speckledhen.