| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| UrbanFarmGirl |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 07:51:44 AM
Last night I had to put Duck Duck to sleep. In the last few weeks she had been limping on her left leg and she was being treated for a minor case of bumble foot. I was treating her with pain medication but last Thurday she was totally lame. She was hopping on one little leg. I took her in on Tuesday night for x-rays and they showed there were changes to her joint. We did a joint tap to see what type of infection there was( but that doesn't make a difference now). By the time I got her home, she could not stand at all. Her little legs would not work. By the time I got her back to the vet last evening, she still had not stood up. The vet did full body images and we found out she had broken both femurs. Both breaks were at the very top. The left one was already broke, but it was not visible on the first set of x-rays we took. The right must have broken when she was coming out of the anesthesia that night. The vet said she had a severe calcium depleation and her bones just could not withstand the wobbling when she woke up. She was such a consistent layer that there even were days when she would lay two.
There was no way she would recover on just cage rest because of her body weight. My only other option was to place pins in her legs. I could not do that to her! Dr Ritzman would not have been able to do both at one shot because of the anesthetic. She probably could not walk well in the future even if it all went well.
I am so upset! I woke up this morning and called for her but she wasn't there. I miss her so bad it aches. I wish I had known sooner.
Married to my hubby & the Army, my Meezer, birdies and my sweet Duck Duck! |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 3:53:01 PM
Megan-
I know what you mean about not wanting any animal to be a mistake. It is so hard to find out later that we did something to hurt or not take perfect care of a beloved pet. Unfortunatly, it happens sometimes and you can't beat yourself up about it too much. You feel bad about it, obviously, which in a wierd way is good. I would be worried if you weren't sad about it.
But on the other hand, you did your best. You asked questions- you made her an AWESOME pen, and you loved her very much. You of course did not intentionally hurt her or not provide her with the calcium. If you had known you would have done differently.
She knew you loved her and probably was not even aware that anything was off within her body. And when you realized there was a problem you took her to the vet right away. I think you were a great duck mom. *hugs!*
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 12:10:57 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. She will be missed...
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| Luzy |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 09:56:41 AM
Oh Megan, I'm so sorry to hear about your baby! I too have ducks, and know what special little creatures they are. Each so individual in their personalities. Consider yourself hugged! Lu
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May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
| UrbanFarmGirl |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 09:48:51 AM
Now I will have to change what my signature says! I don't have the heart to take her name off...
Married to my hubby & the Army, my Meezer, birdies and my sweet Duck Duck! |
| UrbanFarmGirl |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 09:45:57 AM
It is wonderful to have the support of so many. I don't feel as lost right now. I need to remember that I was lucky to have her while I did! That is why famrgirls are blessed to have animals... they brighten our days and are blessings even after they are gone.
Married to my hubby & the Army, my Meezer, birdies and my sweet Duck Duck! |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 09:05:44 AM
I used to have ducks too. I had them when I was a kid and I thought of them as my friends and I had some as an adult. I enjoyed them sooo much. And you will again. Big Hug!! MB
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"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 08:45:39 AM
oh Megan..I am so very sorry. As a fellow pet duck owner I can only imagine what you feel like right now. I was just mentioning your litttle Duck Duck to my husband last night as we watched our two ducks walking around the yard and I mentioned to him how your litle Duck Duck would set on your lap belly side up and how she had lost her mate..and my husband mentioned how when our ducks get old and may leave us ...it will be so sad like a hole missing...and I said..I know..I'm not looking forward to that at all and I will surely have to do something if that happens.(mine are just a few months old though)
So yes, I fully understand how attached we can get to our precious little ducks. I am reaching out to give you a big hug today. (only wish I could in person)I am so sorry you had to go through this.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
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| UrbanFarmGirl |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 08:16:08 AM
Thank you for all your support. The worst part is not knowing that you are doing something wrong. As an amature duck owner, I rely on the advice of others and from what I research. I don't even know how to mix my own blend of feed. So I assumed I was making a smart, well-researched decision by feeding her Purina's Game Bird Maintainence feed. Now I know it was not enough to keep her healthy.
It's so hard to move on and say "next time I will do it better" because no animal should be the "mistake" that you learn from. Does that make any sense at all?!
Married to my hubby & the Army, my Meezer, birdies and my sweet Duck Duck! |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 08:08:49 AM
I'm so sorry, Megan. I do know that waking up calling for a pet emptiness. I wish I could give you a hug and a shoulder to cry on. I send you a cyber ((HUG)). You did everything you could.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 08:07:46 AM
Oh Megan! I am so sorry to hear about Duck Duck! I know you just introduced us to her (and to yourself) just a short time ago- but I already loved her long-distance! She seemed like such a sweet little duck and every time you write about her, I can just "hear" how much you love her!
It is always so hard to lose a beloved pet and companion! I think you made the most merciful and humane decision. I am so sorry that you had to make it though!
If I was there I would give you a big hug!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 08:07:01 AM
Megan- I'm so sorry for your loss. It never ceases to amaze me the capacity for love we have for our pets. I'm sure you will miss her.
(((hugs)))
Karin
Wherever you go, there you are.
Come visit me at:
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