Today

foodrecupToday Cooper worked on eating. And keeping it down. And pooping. And sleeping. She’s lost some weight, so we’re working hard on making sure she’s getting enough food in her. Here she is eating some mash and millet. We put her next to the other budgies, because seeing them eat gets her interested in her food. We’re hoping she’ll make some good progress, otherwise, it’s back to the vet!

Home Again, Home Again

haWe went to the vet to check on Cooper and she’s doing well enough that they let us take her home. Yay! She’s still on antibiotics/pain meds and will go back in a week for a checkup. In the meantime, she’s in the recovery container – where she’ll be for at least 7 days. When she’s not preening, she wants out. We’re so relieved to see her with some energy. She’s missing her underfluffies – which gives her an odd shape, but they’ll grow back eventually. We’re hoping this time sticks, and no more emergency vet visits!
Cooper wants to thank everyone for all the well wishes, crossed fingers and prayers. Along with great vet care, it looks like they did the trick. XOX
uf                                         “Has anyone seen my underfluffies?”

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ReCooperating

On Sunday afternoon we noticed that Cooper had an egg starting to emerge. We put her in a separate cage, but unfortunately, the egg got stuck halfway out. Our vet is closed on Sundays, and the emergency vet that they refer clients to knew nothing about budgies. We were told to keep her quiet until the vet’s office opened on Monday morning.eggWe kept her in a room with the heat and humidfier on. Later we gave her a warm bath and put a little olive oil on her opening. But that egg was not going anywhere. Monday morning we took her in. The vet put her under anesthetic, removed the egg and some damaged tissue and made sure her prolapse was repaired. Cooper also needed a couple stitches so that everything stays in place. We were able to spend some time with her when she came out from under the anesthesia, but they kept her overnight to give her pain meds, fluids and monitor her.  Of course, Harry and I were a wreck through the whole process.scritchTuesday afternoon we picked her up. She looked so much better. She was perkier and was eating. It was so nice to get her home. She is in the recovery container, where she’ll be for at least 10 days. She has oral pain meds and antibiotic injections she’ll need to take for a week. She’s been a real trouper about them. Here she is letting me scritch her (which I haven’t been able to do since she was an only budgie).zzzToday she was very sleepy. She wasn’t eating very much either. Her back end is a mess, and needs to be cleaned when she poops. Hopefully that will look better when the swelling goes down, her stitches are removed (in about 10 days) and her underfluffies grow back.eatIn the afternoon she woke up long enough to eat a reassuring amount of food (Phew!). She even had enough energy to try and look for a way out of the container (by going under the paper towel). And I was permitted to give her another scritch session.perchCooper was perching on the food bowl, which didn’t look comfortable at all. So Harry built her a little perch to rest on. We also bought some dish towels for the bottom of the container. Much more comfy than a paper towel.

She is doing much better and I have to thank the Cooper’s Corner friends for all their well wishes and love – and particularly, the Crazy Bird Ladies for their advice and support. It helped us through some scary hours. And I know that all that positive energy made its way to Cooper when she needed it most. XOXO

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Movie Review

This month’s movie is The Messenger.messenger1The Messenger investigates the cause and effect of the disappearance of the world’s songbirds. Global warming, predation by cats, hunting by humans, deforestation, noise and light pollution and pesticides are explored. The documentary interviews scientists and bird lovers from different parts of the world.m2There are some beautiful shots of various birds, both in their natural habitats and flying in  slow motion. The satellite maps of migration routes are interesting as well.
While there positive strides being made (Toronto activists drastically cutting collision deaths by placing markers on mirrored/clear-glass building surfaces), The Messenger is a warning that more needs to be done before it is too late.

*Cooper wasn’t allowed to watch this movie, because it was too disturbing.

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