Flapper Update
You can click on the photo to see a larger view and to see a second x-ray view.
Flapper had an x-ray tonight, and he is scheduled for an endoscopy this Friday. He has had trouble with his plumbing since before he had his big operation in August 2008. It’s a chronic issue for him. But now after this new x-ray I am wondering if he also has some arthritis forming in his knees. He has had trouble walking lately, and I thought it was pain from his belly. But if it’s arthritis pain instead, that would make me feel much better about his overall health. I’d much rather know he has a little arthritis than to think his belly is so sore he can hardly walk. I don’t know for sure yet, but that’s my hunch. We’ll see what the vet experts say on Friday. I’m hoping he just needs a little clean-up to his plumbing and then we can treat his slight arthritis… but that’s all just my conjecture right now.
When Flapper was brought back after his x-ray, the vet tech said “This is the most amazing, wonderful animal ever!” She raved about how expressive and affectionate he is. I love it when people meet Flapper and see that about him. It’s especially easy to see if he’s tired and ready for a nap, like he was tonight. Also as Flapper has gotten older, he has become more calm and trusting of me. He likes riding in his carrier in the car, and doesn’t seem to mind going places. He doesn’t make any of the stressed out noises, and he doesn’t pant like a stressed out bird. He just trusts that what we’re doing must be fun, and that there’s probably treats for him when we’re done. (I finally realized about a year ago that he doesn’t want to see out the window while we drive. There are too many scary, dangerous things to look at! But he is super comfortable in his closed carrier and he has loved riding in the car ever since I switched him to that.)
Flapper really is quite a special guy, especially to me.
Flapper’s plumbing looks better tonight and his anti-inflammatories are finally helping his latest flare up. We’ll keep you posted on what the doctors say on Friday.
11 Comments
Flapper you have the cutest cheeks ever!
Feel better soon, Flapper!
I know how special Flapper is for you, and rightfully so because he is a unique duckie;-) I’ve never met him, but hope I will some day, I’m sure he’ll capture my heart even more than he already did.
He’s still young but as our kdis grow older more and more issues will rise and that is a worry, for me too. We do what we can and it helps a bunch to have a good team of vets that you can turn to (if you have them…) and otherwise watching them and acting on changes is the only thing we can do, and hoping for the best.
But things will occur, I try to protect my kids as good as I can and try to avoid problems but they do happen and eventhough I have trouble accepting that some things may be irreversible it is the reality of having pets.
I hope Flapper will overcome this episode with his plumbing and I hope it’s not arthritis (eventhough it can be monitored with medication), I wish him well and you too:-) Thanks for the update, I’ve been thinking about Flapper.
Feel better, Flapper! I hope your mom’s conjecture is on target.
Sure hope Mr Flapper is feeling better soon. He is such a sweetie! Thanks for the interesting perspective regarding closed vs open carriers in the car.
Of course he’s fantastic and wonderful! She must have known that all along. I only wish the world could get to know Flapjack. Maybe there would be less violence done to ducks and other animals. It’s awesome that Flappy has become an anti-foie gras spokesduck.
We hope you get to feeling better soon, Flapper.
Lots of love from all of us!
Get better soon Mr. Flapper! Oh and love your picture!
Handsome Mr Flapper! Will be sending healing thoughts to you!
I love duck x-rays (okay, radiographs) so thanks for sharing the pictures, Silly Human. I’ve dealt with quite a bit of arthritis (duck and human) and know you can handle it. I hope the plumbing is plumbing away as smoothly as possible soon. My duck, JoJo pekin, went to the dr today because he’s been limping terribly for 2 weeks. Of course, at the vet he walked perfectly. Ha ha, I decided it’s a miracle.
He’s such a good boy and you take very good care of him.