May 19^th

Yes, my little yellow girl is home.  Here’s the 411.  I called the vet at 7:00 am and was informed that Miss Daisy made it through the night and was eating and drinking, although she was still very weak and could not stand on her own.  The doctor said she’d like to keep her until noon and if she showed signs of improvement I could take her home.  I arrived at noon and Dr. Glasscock (what perfect irony!) was holding Daisy and showing me how she was gripping her finger with her toes. (a good sign).   I highly recommend the Goodwin Animal Hospital and the lovely Dr. Lydia Glasscock for all your chicken emergency needs. 

 She sent us home with an oral antibiotic and an ointment to apply twice daily to her boo boos.  I set up her hospital bed next to her sisters’ cage.  I am using the Roger Hamster Memorial Cage for a temporary recovery center.  Roger (R.I.P) would be pleased at his contribution to the healing arts.  I made a little valley in a bunched up towel and placed Daisy in the center, facing Rosie and Violet.  She can smell, see and hear her sisters, but they can’t harass her while she’s still healing.

I held a little bowl of food and water up to her beak and she ate and drank a bit and then promptly fell asleep. It’s been a rough two days for this little chicken.  I check on her about every twenty minutes because she topples over often when she tries to use her legs.  The Doc said it would be a couple of days before she can walk normally. During Daisy’s overnight stay she received subcutaneous fluids, antibiotic drops, a steroid shot, pain medication, sedation, wound treatment, one stitch and very tender care by the devoted staff. 

While I was there I met a little potbellied pig being treated for some ailment.  I didn’t ask because of patient confidentiality.  It would have been rude.  The staff had been singing Old MacDonald Had a Farm right before I arrived.  They said they just needed a goat to complete the menagerie.  I was singing Eee-I, Eee-I OWE as I paid the vet bill.  Jim had predicted a total of $100.  I guessed $300.  I was closer.  She’s worth it to me. (You’ll have to ask Jim if he feels the same)  I’m glad to have her home and feel lucky that I have a supportive hubby who has a good job to pay for chicken repairs.  Daisy is up for visitors but no rough housing!  Come on by and say howdy if you’d like to take a look at a $271.17 chicken.  We paid $1.75 for her at The Feed Lot (she was marked down from $2.50) so that’s a 15,385% increase in her value!  Jim says she’d better lay golden eggs! Thanks for all the response I got from yesterday’s post.  Who knew a little yellow ball of fluff could generate such concern and compassion.  I have very kind friends.  Thank you from me and from Daisy the Wonder Chicken.