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Post by susan on Dec 2, 2020 16:22:01 GMT -7
Manzi has been more and more cuddly, leaning into scratches and nibbling on my fingers when I stop scratching him. I've been carrying him to my lap and sitting with him, scratching him, while I watch some TV. He is still preening, but not doing as good a job as normal. So I've been opening up his new feathers for him. He is now totally relaxed with me and just seems to enjoy it. Such a joy to see a 'mother's love'. We love our pets as our children. They give us so much love. Can just picture the above in my mind and the comfort Manzi receives from you.
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Post by Adele on Dec 16, 2020 12:43:21 GMT -7
The last few days have been a bit different. Manzi has been trying to stand upright a lot more. He's often holding onto the side bars of the cage, to keep his head up. And he's even trying to climb, although he's failing. This is very encouraging to me, that he's starting to make more of an effort. He's loving his cuddles in the evening too, and even started walking around when I take him out.
Previously, he just stayed kinda limp on my lap. But now he's standing a bit more and hobbling around. I was super excited when I woke up in the morning and saw Manzi's new outlook.
Another adorable thing is that Maui has been back to staying by his side for extended periods of time. I still keep them separated by a divider, cause I'm worried one of them might accidentally hurt the other, but they are so cute and I recognize when they make loving, vs threatening sounds, to each other, and lately it has been a lot of loving!!
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Post by Jane on Dec 17, 2020 1:57:36 GMT -7
That is good. Manzi is adapting and improving all the time.
Jane
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Post by Haz on Dec 17, 2020 14:53:08 GMT -7
That is really good news.
Haz
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Post by Adele on Jan 1, 2021 9:39:05 GMT -7
Manzi seemed to try more mid December, but he's still getting weaker. His beak got stuck in a carrot a few days ago. I had been giving him baby carrots. But he bit in, then couldn't get his beak out. I was keeping an eye on him, and eventually he gave up and fell off to the side. When I saw him like that, I immediately picked him up and pried his beak off the carrot. Now I only give him carrots chopped up. He is so weak that he can't even bite hard, even if he wanted to. He's also keeping his eyes closed a lot more of the time. Sometimes he only opens one eye briefly, to see what is going on, then closes it again.
Every evening, I've been putting him in my lap, and using a baby wipe to clean off his feathers (unfortunately, he rolls around in his feces; I change his newspaper daily, but he still gets stuff stuck to him), then giving him scratches and snuggles. He loves this part and really leans into it. I've also been weighing him regularly to help gauge his health. Even though he seems to be getting weaker, his weight is still maintaining.
I'm not sure what's going to happen with my poor boy. I'm trying to be positive around Manzi, but seeing him get his beak stuck brought me to tears again. It breaks my heart. I have a brother who really loves his dog, and when I told him about Manzi over this Christmas break, he cried with me. That was nice to have someone in my family understand the bond and love.
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Post by Jane on Jan 2, 2021 6:48:47 GMT -7
He did seem to be improving. Could he go back on the anti inflammatories?
Jane
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Post by Adele on Jan 2, 2021 13:11:14 GMT -7
The vet didn't seem to think that would help at all. I feel like Manzi would give me sparks of hope, like mid-December, but then he would regress even more.
I'll give the vet a call and ask about resuming the anti-inflammatories.
I also wonder if he just had more muscle mass previously, so he was stronger, but if he had neurological damage, then it would take some time to lose his muscle mass and become less and less capable.
I remember when I first picked him up (at someone else's house), he tried stepping up onto my hand, and he gripped really strongly, but he still fell backward being off balance. Now, he can't grip strongly, and he still doesn't have his balance. It's like I need to hook him up to some electrical machine to continually work out his little muscles to keep him in better shape.
This morning, I found him sleeping completely rolled onto his side (with his legs sticking out sideways. I said something to him, and he woke up and righted himself. I've been feeding him garbanzo beans recently. They are plenty soft and easy for him to eat. He loves those.
He's also mostly stopped talking/whistling.
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Post by chris on Jan 2, 2021 14:32:59 GMT -7
I'm so sorry Adele. Thank you for sharing this - I know it's so hard. I am praying very hard for Manzi.
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Post by Sophia on Jan 3, 2021 9:54:54 GMT -7
I'm sorry to hear it as well. I know how heartbreaking it is to be the one having to decide what is best for our beloved feathered friends... you and Manzi are in our thoughts!
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Post by Adele on Jan 3, 2021 10:46:17 GMT -7
Manzi wouldn't open his eyes the second half of yesterday, nor would he eat or drink. This morning he did finally open his eyes for a few minutes. I also got him to eat some sunflower seeds. I support his body and hold the seed to his beak and he is able to eat it.
The vet says there's nothing that can really be done. What ever kind of brain trauma is taking its toll. Manzi weight has now been dropping significantly. I'm trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. I was snuggling with him last night telling him how much I've loved him all these years. He's been such a wonderful companion. Definitely hard at times, but I have so much love for him.
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Post by beakertrout on Jan 3, 2021 11:13:59 GMT -7
This is such a heart wrenching saga. Reminiscent of what I went through with my Amazon Jeff.
It is such a miserable position to be in when you emotionally cannot let go.
My sincerest deepest sympathy.
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Post by Haz on Jan 3, 2021 14:03:55 GMT -7
You have time to love him and prepare for the worst. You let him know how much you love him. The last time I saw Max, he was nestled in the vet’s arms. He looked at me as if to ask me not to leave him. I told him I would see him in the morning but he didn’t live through the night. I always regret not being with him at the end.
I am now crying for Manzi.
Haz
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Post by Justin (z00ropa) on Jan 4, 2021 5:45:15 GMT -7
I'm very sorry. This breaks my heart.
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Post by Adele on Jan 4, 2021 8:46:51 GMT -7
Manzi didn't make it. I was able to tell him goodbye. I spent all day yesterday holding him, then he passed during the night.
I never thought I'd outlive him. I'm glad he was home with us, but this whole thing has been so incredibly painful.
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Post by beakertrout on Jan 4, 2021 8:53:42 GMT -7
I am very sorry to hear this, RIP Manzi.
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