ziggystarling

[ziggystarling]

Messy face

[ziggystarling]

In case anyone was curious what surgical stitching looks like in a bird, pics under the cut (not particularly graphic but just to be safe)

The vet who did this part of the operation (under the supervision of my usual avian vet, who is semi-retired and probably less dexterous these days) did a fantastic stitching job, I'm incredibly impressed she was able to get it all done in under 30 minutes.

[ziggystarling]

how does a monster egg like that even happen biologically? do you have any idea?

Honestly my experience with egg laying mostly comes from domestic chickens, so this is kind of a new experience for me. I'm assuming most of the basic process of egg formstion is the same though. Several factors can influence egg size, shape, and shell formation including diet, genetic factors, and age.

My current theory is her age factored into it. Yuki is 10 and has never laid an egg. While 10 years isn't old by conure standards (in captivity, Green-cheeks can live well into their 20s and in some cases up to 30) she's still decidedly middle aged. This may have influenced the egg formation process and caused the egg to form in such a way that it was too big to pass through the oviduct.

Once the yolk and white are formed in the oviduct, calcification forms the shell. This also could be a potential factor in the egg becoming so big, as the longer the egg remained in her oviduct unable to pass through, the more calcium layers it likely formed over the shell.

The end result was, according to the vet, "impossible for her to lay" and "no bird that size should ever lay an egg that big", so her case is definitely not a common occurrence. It was so big they couldn't even remove it whole through the incision, they had to aspirate the contents then carefully remove the shell!

I just wish I'd been able to see the egg and give it a stern talking to for causing me a whole month of grief and hundreds in vet bills lol.

[ziggystarling]

Hospital cage setup for now. She's not too pleased but she needs her movement restricted during the healing process.

[ziggystarling]

The vet said the egg was so big it was pressing on literally all her organs. She probably hasn't been able to take a deep breath for the past month. My poor baby...

She was just discharged and we're heading home. Vet has advised she stay in the travel cage with her low perches until she recovers. Going to be a good week or two before she's back to normal but she's tough and I have faith that she'll make it through this.

She made it out of surgery!!! Currently recovering in the incubator. She has been given a hormone suppressant implant as well. Fingers crossed recovery is quick.

[ziggystarling]

She made it out of surgery!!! Currently recovering in the incubator. She has been given a hormone suppressant implant as well. Fingers crossed recovery is quick.

[ziggystarling]

Update: She made it out of anesthesia just fine, but they had bad news: she will need surgery to remove the egg. There is a bit of membrane from the oviduct covering the egg they don't want to risk piercing during the egg removal, so they're going to have to go through the abdomen instead.

Obviously this is not the best outcome, but it's also not a death sentence. She has one of the most skilled avian surgeons in the whole Midwest on her case, and this is her best chance at survival.

Her surgery is set for Friday and I am supposed to leave on Sunday for my trip to Mexico. If she isn't feeling well unfortunately I will have to cancel my trip, but I'd rather miss my trip than leave with her not feeling well and have something happen while I'm gone.

I'm just hoping everything works out in the end.

[ziggystarling]

A moist chicken before I head to sleep.

Yuki's procedure is set for tomorrow. She is in good spirits and I'm confident in a positive outcome. Everyone, please send her your well wishes/thoughts/prayers/etc. ❤️

[ziggystarling]

Gaming

[ziggystarling]

Egg update: Called the vet today to discuss options. We've seen no progress in the past week and I've been getting really concerned. He says if she doesn't lay by Tuesday we will go ahead with the procedure to aspirate the egg to collapse it and remove it through the cloaca. Which is not technically surgery since there will be no incision, but she will still need to be anesthetized so it is pretty scary for me.

He said the only reason he doesn't want to wait too much longer is if the egg stays too long in the oviduct the lubricant that it produces to move the egg along can dry up and the egg starts to adhere to the oviduct walls, which WOULD be cause for actual surgery.

Fingers crossed she lays before then, but if not I trust him to perform the procedure to the best of his ability as an avian vet with 40+ years of experience.

Even though this is a relatively low risk procedure, I'm still preparing myself emotionally, and I'll be spending a lot of time with my girl this weekend so she knows how loved she is.

[ziggystarling]

Vet confirmed that while the timing of literally taking 21 days now is highly unusual, she is still not in danger of egg binding, and she is making great progress. He wants me to stay the course and keep waiting, which is agonizing for me of course, but it's much safer to wait than to operate prematurely.

Another vet visit tomorrow. I don't know what's going to happen or what the vet will recommend at this point. As of now it has been 20 days since I first noticed her egg.

If she becomes eggbound then they may have to operate, which means general anesthesia, which means around a 3.88% chance of dying on the operating table or during the recovery period.

Logically I know those odds are in her favor. Chances are she will be fine. But I'm so so scared.

I'm just hoping it won't come to surgery. I can't bear the thought of losing her.

[ziggystarling]

I know it's probably not much but two of my GCCs always took anesthesia very well! They're though little cookies, even if it comes to surgery I'm sure it'll be alright ❤️ I sincerely hope that it won't be needed

This is actually super helpful, thank you. Hearing about the experiences of others helps me avoid catastrophizing. I truly appreciate your support. ❤️

[ziggystarling]

Another vet visit tomorrow. I don't know what's going to happen or what the vet will recommend at this point. As of now it has been 20 days since I first noticed her egg.

If she becomes eggbound then they may have to operate, which means general anesthesia, which means around a 3.88% chance of dying on the operating table or during the recovery period.

Logically I know those odds are in her favor. Chances are she will be fine. But I'm so so scared.

I'm just hoping it won't come to surgery. I can't bear the thought of losing her.

[ziggystarling]

Despite Yuki trying to break a record for the longest time any conure has ever held an egg before laying, she appears to be completely fine.

She is not eggbound thankfully, and the vet thinks the egg will be any day now. She also got a calcium injection just in case. Next vet visit will be Monday if she hasn't laid by then.

Egg update: Another vet appointment scheduled tomorrow. God this waiting is agonizing.

[ziggystarling]

Egg update: Another vet appointment scheduled tomorrow. God this waiting is agonizing.

[ziggystarling]

Sooo egg update since it's been a while: Yuki still hasn't laid the damn egg.

It has moved down basically to the point where she looks like she could lay at any moment, but we are at the 2 week mark since I initially noticed the egg lump and she still hasn't laid it!

I am updating my vet daily and am still being told as long as she is still eating, drinking, pooping, and acting lively (she is) then I need to just wait it out.

She has been acting broody, so it could be any day now honestly.

[ziggystarling]

Okay I'm gonna stop doing daily egg updates because they're about the same thing every day lol. For now just assume no news is good news and I'll update when something happens.