Barrie Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 will you be allowed it back Mark? By the sound of things, it may not be able to fly very well for quite a while anyway so it would make sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 yes hopefully it will come back about 3 - 4 months recovery then released back to where it came from or Tuhoa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 The post operative radiographs taken today (see attached) show that the pins placed in the left radius and ulna are in good position and the ends of the broken bones are now well aligned. The pins were slightly too long and so were trimmed back slighty. The infection that is present under the skin in the area is slightly reduced and we are still keeping the wing bandaged to keep that covered and to help keep the fracture stable in the short term. The bird is receiving pain relief and antibiotics and is still eating well. The plan is to hold him until the fractures are stable enough that the pins can be removed. This may take 3-4 weeks, possibly longer to the massey wildlife team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Looks like quite a gap between the broken bones. I wouldn't have expected to see any gap at all, but I'm not a surgeon. Do the broken ends block fewer x-rays or can they not just shove it all tightly back together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 there is quite a gap between those bones, like our forarm i think from memory if healing is successful the pins are cut off and remain jennifer may be able to further enlighten us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 I think Ira meant the big gap between the broken ends, not the gap between the radius & ulna. I'm guessing they can't shove it together tightly in case they mess up the alignment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Is it just me or does the xray make it look like it has a very long neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 There is separation between the broken ends because the bones grow and fuse together well; almost like a bone lengthening surgery. It also has to heal in the most natural position so that the bird can rehabilitate ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 thats it phoenix the process is like a wall being built, bricks one layer at a time so bones heal in a similar manner. Layer upon layer of new cells are laid until the broken bone ends are fused together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 That is actually very good reduction of that fracture. It is such a tiny bone - they make it look so easy! It is best if the ends of the fracture align as closely as possible but if there is a delay in reducing the fracture (bringing the ends in line) then a bone 'callus' will start to form, much like scar tissue but it can't fully solidify because it is continually moving. Now that the pin is in place, the callus that starts to form will not be disrupted and new bone cells will form a big bandage over the entire fracture site. The longer the gap, the longer it takes to heal. Love the film, I believe that is mammography film - it shows stunning detail - you can even see detail in the soft tissue! Parrots have such long necks, but they are very thin and covered with a load of feathers - I used to call my guys 'pencil-necked geeks.' :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 thanks Jen, are pins removed or left in place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Usually removed. They can be quite irritating and are open to the environment so can be a source of infection straight into the bone which is why they need to be monitored closely during healing. If they loosen for any reason, the movement can prevent healing. It is a waiting game now to make sure no complications occur. I would guess that they placed pins because the fractures were so clean and they could be reduced so well, with very good union. Otherwise, if the bone was in many pieces they may have used a plate or external fixateur (sort of like scaffolding holding the bones in line from outside the body). Good that the fractures were mid shaft, that makes it much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 yes as soon as i saw the first x-ray i was hopeful used to work with the vets closely when dealing with exotics i was looking after i was usually the one who administered injections to the elephants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Bet you needed a big needle for that thick skin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 six inch nail and a hammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 :lol: And I bet it wouldn't even feel it! 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 oh yes they feel it one vet that tried it ended up six feet away laying on his back like a camel they can kick in any direction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozski Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Shame I didn't see this thread earlier (though its all worked out anyhow!) Theres a vet in Rotorua who deals in birds - he fixes fractures for the NZ Falcons at Wingspan if and when they come in. So your Kaka wouldn't have had to go as far/been as far away. But as I said, seems to have worked out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 the vet in rotorua recommended massey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozski Posted September 28, 2010 Report Share Posted September 28, 2010 Haha, awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish_fingers Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 well had an x-ray today prognosis not good though local vets not keen on pinning it anyone know massey uni vets? Hey Mark, try Dr Elizabeth Lee is she is still at the Massey Uni vet clinic, not a surgeon but a very good bird Dr. Also, maybe the vets at VSG or even the Auckand or Wellington Zoo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish_fingers Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 Hey Mark, try Dr Elizabeth Lee is she is still at the Massey Uni vet clinic, not a surgeon but a very good bird Dr. Also, maybe the vets at VSG or even the Auckand or Wellington Zoo. Helps if I read all the posts before adding to others :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 Time for an update on the bird anyway?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 sorry got busy and forgot about it the operation was a success but there was some nerve damage and circulation loss to the end of the wing this necessitated amputation of the end of the wing meaning the bird couldn't be returned to the wild luckily it looks like the wellington zoo may be able to offer the bird a home to live its days out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 I'd have offered it a home too :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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