My DYH's Summer Surgery

It's been a while since I've posted. My DYH named Mozart had a problem
develop last fall which was diagnosed as a ruptured air sac. The local
avain vet tried unsuccessfully to correct the problem (four times) and I
ended up taking Mozart down to the only state certified vet in the entire
state of Illinois in Champaign. Dr. Welle performed two surgeries on Mozart
within a week's time and Mozart has been recouperating for the past six
weeks with me. He's had to wear a collar around his neck to prevent him
from picking at the surgical area and when I finally took his collar off
last Sunday I had to put it back on the following day because he was so
aggressive with his picking at the new feathers growing back in that he was
bleeding in spots on his chest. So, now he will have to wear the collar
until the feathers are completely grown out. The poor little guy has
endured a lot of stress these past weeks. I know he hates wearing the
collar but without it he will never improve. He has been eating well but
seems a little depressed. I've been showering him with love and attention,
plus some scratches where he will allow it. My vet suggested putting some
aloe vera cream on his skin to help with the itchiness and it seems to be
helping. I'll be glad when he looks like his old self. And by the way --
the air sac seems to be fixed - he is no longer bloating up with air
anymore.

Mark in Illiinois