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When Mrs Johnson became aware of her pet Cockatiel squatting
on the floor of its cage looking very lethargic and subdued
she clearly knew that there was a problem.
Telephone advice from our practice soon advised her that
she should bring "Chloe", the patient, in to see
us immediately.
My colleague Geraldine was quick to make a tentative diagnosis
of "egg binding".
As a consequence of too much egg production
the patient's calcium levels can drop to a dangerously low
level which if not treated promptly can be fatal.
"Chloe" was injected with calcium and admitted
to our own incubator in an effort to raise her temperature.
Occasionally this is sufficient to allow the affected patient
to then expel the egg.
Unfortunately, Chloe liked to hang on to hers for a bit
longer. After a few hours when nothing had been passed it
was decided by my other colleague Ingrid to anaesthetise
"Chloe" and confirm our tentative diagnosis with
radiography.
An x-ray easily identified the problem as a large egg lodged
within the lower oviduct. With "Chloe" now anaesthetised
Ingrid, using some special lubricant, was able to gently
ease the egg from its owner.
All our female professional staff gave a large sympathetic
sigh of relief. I of course was at the other end holding
Chloe's wing for comfort. "Chloe" was quick to
recover with quite a load off her mind, eggsactly what she
needed!
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