Pickle is currently in the avian hospital as an in-patient. Up to now, it seems that her diverticulum muscle just isnt functioning at all, she is a poorly little bird. The vet at the hospital is making her a little crop bra,that she must where until/if the muscle strengthens up. He is going to try her on different meds to encourage crop function. He was reluctant to give a prognosis, its too early yet. I was asked lots of questions about her, and thank God it seems that I have done everything right, Ive been torturing myself wondering, as you do I guess. I hope and pray with all my heart that she pulls through, it would break my heart to lose her.
Chutney, the 'big brother' is doing magnificently, he is climbing up the side of the baby cage, using his perch, starting to play with his mirror and bell, and trying his best to fly Flaps his lovely little wings with all his might, but noit managed to take off yet
I'll keep you updated over Pickle, I have no idea whats going to happen, I just hope its good.

Hmmm, Chutney in a bib; Pickle in a bra. . .

Anne, your life is getting complicated! Remember, God made the diverticulum; He can repair (or even replace) it. Now I know how to pray. . .

Thanks Jody, and yes, I believe you do. Thankyou, I hear what you are saying x

anne, i'm so sorry about pickles troubles. lutino babies are weaker than normal, that's why the parents reject them so frequently. i lost more than i raised from my normal looking pair. about 1 in 4 would be white, and i only succeeded in keeping 1 alive before i gave up breeding that pair, and a yr later gave up breeding entirely. it's been many yrs since i went through what you are but you never forget, and while i do miss babies in general (never the handfeeding! but parent raised babies were fun!) the world is so full of cast off pets that there is no need for me to contribute to the problem. i do thank you for being very clear that this was not an intentional breeding on your part. i will pray for pickles, as i know better than anyone what she means to you. will be watching closely for updates, you're in my thoughts always through this trying time.

Anne, Your Pickles is in my prayers. You remind me of myself when I was trying to save every sick lamb that came my way. (I ended up with the weak abandoned lambs that the sheep ranchers around here did not have the heart to put down, so they called me to take them off of their hands.) It is frustrating, tiring, emotionally draining work. But dogone it, one cannot give up when there is the slightest glimmer of hope. You are a super good person. God Bless.
Sharon

Hi all, I have an update on little Pickle. This morning, she was still very weak and poorly, and the vet said he wants to keep her in for at least another night. He washed out her crop yesterday, treated her with nystatin, and later fed her a very watery feed in the hope that the crop would cope with that, but it didnt, the feed just stayed in her crop. He was then planning to put little nips and tuckes in her 'bra' to try and get the perfect support for her crop. he said this CAN be enough to get the crop functioning again, but not always. I rang back just now, and the nurse said Pickle is seeming a lot brighter this afternoon, but Mr Humphries was in surgery, so he is going to ring me later with more details.
Ahh! nurse just rang back. He still isnt overjoyed with Pickle, so he is taking her home again with him tonight to keep her under close observation. I have to phone at 10am in the morning. I know she is in far better hands than mine right now, but oh how I miss her.
Little Chutney is doing great, starting to reject hand feeding, taking less, and enjoying starting to pick at seed and brocolli all by himself. Such a difference! Im not letting him go back to his owner yet though, he still has a way to go, but when the time comes, I sure will miss the little fella. Im harness training him so that he has more chance of getting out and about, safely. I just hope that its fated for Pickle to be able to come for walks in the sunshine with me, she deserves that chance so very much. I dont know what to think at the the moment, I feel like Im trapped in a time warp

Anne, Pickle is in God's hands. Hard to believe He loves her more than you do, but it's true. (He loves you more than you do, as well) She will be well, no matter what happens, but oh, how it hurts to lose them! Leaves a big hole in your heart, it does. (((((hugs)))))

*She will be well, no matter what happens,*
I didnt think of it like that, but how true. Thats all that matters, that she is 'well'.
Thankyou Jody.

Here i was all bogged down with my own personal drama.. it sounds like you are doing well with the bird... but since that was the 20th of August, could you give an update on the baby? I hope all is well, and you both have pulled through.. i have hope in you.. you are a compassionate person... i am sure that pickle appreciates you!!

stac

Well, Anne, how are you, and how is Pickle? (also Chutney)

Hi Stac,(And Jody, we must have posted at same time ) thankyou for asking Little Pickle is still in a lot of trouble, she still cant come home from the hospital, as despite the crop bra and trying of new meds, things just dont seem to be working. The vet who is handling her case and medicing her said this morning that he is even less optimistic than he was at first. Although there is a slight function of the crop, its very meagre. She is currently having to have her crop washed prior to every new feed, which really isnt good. BUT, she is eager for feeding, and quite perky, whereas when she was first admitted, she was totally worn out and lifeless. The vet dosent want to give up on her yet, and I dont want to, not so long as her life isnt totally inhumane, which he said going by her little outbursts of energy and eagerness, she still has life in her heart, and a will to live. Vet said his crop bra and meds are usually highly successful within 24 hours (he may have said 48 hours to be honest, damn my foggy head) but with Pickle, its just not happening. YET. I have to ring back at 5pm (uk time) for an update, thats 2hours 23 minutes away, Im just watching the second finger go round on the clock, praying for a positive update. She will be going home with her vet again tonight, he is really, really fighting for her. And me? Right now I feel the only way I would ever be able to 'let go' is if someone chopped my hands off. 2hrs 16 mins 45 seconds to next update, please pray its better
Clutch brother Chutney is currently say on a low perch, looking round, chirping and preening himself. What a world of difference. He is doing amazing, clever little chap
I will update as soon as I have that news at 5.

I'm praying for you & Pickle right now.

Vet is doing even tinier, even more frequent feeds on her, and her crop seems to be coping a bit better!!!!!!!!
He is taking her home again to continue with this tonight...
Oh please God.........

Tiny, frequent feeds, huh. Sounds like you need Bar-barr-a's 5 "daddy" tiels to help! We humans are so big and clumsy,sometimes!
Will continue to pray for her. (Or him, whichever)
Glad to hear Chutney is doing well.

It is with a devastated heart I bring you news of the closure of Pickles fight for life. Shortly after posting her last update, I received a call from her vet, gently explaining that Pickles was deteriorating, and offering me the chance to get there and be with her. At 6.57pm she passed with grace, calmness and dignity. She was already asleep, and I acknowledged her need for that last bit of help. She was where she was always happiest, safe in my hands.
Forever in my heart.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/annekenyon/PicklesProgress102.jpg

I know I haven't posted on this thread before but I have been following it all along and was hoping everything would work out. I'm sorry for your loss and I am greiving with you. I'm finding it hard to keep myself from crying here at my desk at work.
Thank you for everything you did for little Pickle. I'm sure she loved you (and still loves you) like the mommy you are.

((((HUGS))))
I'm so sorry for your loss, Anne.

Anne, I am so sorry. I have tears streaming down my face. Pickles is with God now and He will take wonderful care of him. Bless you Anne. Kim

Anne:

I am so very sorry. I have been following all your posts and hoping for a happy ending. At least she is free now and just remember, you did everything possible to try to help. Take care of YOU now.

Thankyou all. I know this isnt just 'my' loss, and it is with pride and joyous memories of PIckle that I acknowledge that little Pickle was 'everybodies' bird, and I feel for those of you who are crying with me, those of you who have cared enouogh to follow.
It is very hard to write with dignity right now, but I know I must.
Tomorrow, as they open, I shall take Pickle to my regular vets (the veterinary hospital wasnt local, but a colleague of my dear vets) and arrange her cremation. I think THAT is when I shall finally let go. Right now, to be honest, Im not quite able to 'let go'. I am still able to hold her, and I realy NEED to stop.
Sweet, flourishing Chutney, it took everything I had to be able to pop him back in his fledging cage earlier, and let him rest and grow after his warm supper. I wanted to hold him, crush him against me, and beg his forgiveness for the loss of his sister, for our ignorance and greed. he will be leaving soon, to go to his rightful mamma, who loves him. He just needs a bit more care and nurturing to be ready.
This has been the hardest journey in my learning curve, ever. You have guided me through it, helped me, supported me. I will never forget that.
If just ONE person follows this post and thinks ''Oh no! Is THIS what breeding can lead to?'' and STOPS, then the little body that Im hugging so desperately sadly against my heart will finally, truly fly.
This can not, must not be for nothing