Balut survivor "Lizzy" is recovering from Surgery!

This is a pretty long, complicated, and heart wrenching story : But the gist of it is--I fell in love with these sweet, innocents:

two baby ducklings who I have named: "Fred" & "Wilma." ( 7 weeks old,)

These little guys were in so much pain. Are in so much pain. I can only describe the 5 days they were with me as what it might be like to have newborn twins, fully unprepared, and no one to help me. I didn't sleep, eat, care for myself much or my other two birdies during that time, as these two needed 24/7 care.

This is "Wilma" and I in the car. She was so uncomfortable in the box and was crying so much, I had to hold her and try to comfort her. She and her brother, "Fred", have legs that are mangled, dislocations and breaks in various places.

This was unprecedented situation. A Duck Sanctuary attempted to rescue/save over 300 hatchlings that a BALUT distributor turned over as their shipments had been delayed for the restaurants they supplied. Some of the babies had no food or water for days and hatching in an egg carton in a warehouse, and left to die.

About 90-100 survived and the DS fostered out as many as they could to get love, shelter and care for these precious fighters.

As a bird lover and owner for the past 20 years, I had to get involved and do whatever I could when I saw this story on my Social Media. I spoke with several of the fosters and asked them to send video updates of the babies. It was such a joy to see the ducklings swimming, playing, eating watermelon, getting snuggles, walking on leashes with their little girl fosters, etc. My heart was full.

After a few weeks, some of the fosters noticed that a couple of the ducklings were 'wobbly' and their feet were turned in an unhealthy way.

The sanctuary ordered their return for medical care. Unfortunately after a vet placed vet wrap on a few of the babies, they couldn't walk upon removal.

I heard from the owner that a few of them couldn't walk...but I didn't understand---I couldn't comprehend what that meant until I saw it! Little precious babies--little innocent orphans --- in a box without being able to move. I was devastated.

I searched high and low for an avian vet that might be able to help_ASAP--and found a poultry doctor that was willing to get the disabled babies in to see him in a rush.

But when they were on the floor at the hospital---my heart broke seeing them unable to move, or walking on their knees in seemingly a lot of pain.

I knew that I HAD to take at least the two WORST ones home with me. I had no idea what I would do, or how to care for them. But I was determined to try!!

When I got them home to my apartment in West Hollywood, I panicked as they couldn't sit on the ground as they couldn't sit up without a lot of support. I only am one person and had two screaming ducklings in pain, stress, and confusion. I gave them water and food on the ground--in my living room while working with one in my hand at all times trying to grab as many towels and blankets as I could to make a soft fortress around them.

I made an SOS call to Darcy, who runs a sanctuary called Funky Chicken. She calmed me down and gave me some suggestions on what I could do to make them comfortable--but I had to go buy stuff and leave them for a bit so I could run.

And here is a little clip of them eating kale that day:

I left them in the bathtub and went to Target to buy puppy pads, bins to make a sling, clips, a pack and play etc.

Over the next couple of days, I tried everything. I didn't sleep or eat. I called Darcy way too much (especially for someone I had never met) and Mary, who was a foster for some ducklings who has become a friend. I bought them a swimming pool that I put on my terrace.

Here is a video of them in the pack and play on the second night at my place. Warning it is really sad:

I tried all sorts of things:

A neck pillow worked for a few minutes. I later used them as bumpers in the pack and play.

They did seem to enjoy 'swimming' in the kiddie pool--but it was VERY hard to watch:

I made them some slings out of a bin and a box, cutting pillow cases, and clipping them to the sides-- finally. Darcy had told me to do this the first night, but it took a bit of effort and brain power to do. I measured, cut, and rigged--- and FINALLY it seemed like they were at least a bit comfortable!!! It takes the pressure off their legs!

On Friday (I got them on Tuesday), Darcy suggested I bring them up to see her vet for her birds -- a TOP Avian specialist, named Dr. Baden. I KNEW I had to bring them there. She pulled some magical strings and got Wilma and Fred an appointment at 2 PM in Oakley. (almost 6 hours away!!)

I packed them in the car in their bins (THANK GOD), and picked up my incredible friend, CJ, (Who I owe to the moon now) to take them to see Dr. Baden.

Honestly, I have never felt MORE concern, intelligence and CARE from a doctor. ANY Doctor. We were with her for 2.5 hours. After reviewing everything, she suggested I leave the babies there for observation, medication (antibiotics and pain) and so they would be seen on Monday by the senior doctor, Dr. Speer. OMG! I couldn't have imagined such an incredible outcome. The babies were being seen by the BEST in the country, arguably.

Dr Speer called me Monday and gave me his thoughts. He thinks the female, Wilma, has a better chance for surgery---

This is the email from Dr. Speer:

Fred's working anatomic problem list is here: Marked right tibiotarsal varus rotation, perosis (medial - not reducible; hyperextension of intertarsal joint. Left mild valgus tibiotarsal rotation, medially displaced perosis - non-reducible

Wilma's working anatomic problem list is here: Medial luxation of the left intertarsal joint with increased soft tissue swelling medially, mild perosis of the left extensor tendon (reducible), mild-moderate bilateral tibiotarsal varus rotation; medial right perosis (reducible)

The surgical corrective maneuvers that seem to make best sense here are -

Wilma: Bilateral tibiotarsal derotational osteotomy and application of a transarticular extraskeletal fixator on the left ankle that is subluxated. Wilma's prognosis is guarded, but carries much more promise to at least end with a bird who can have two good feet to stand on.

Fred: Bilateral tibiotarsal derotatioinal osteotomy and arthrodesis of the right ankle (intertarsal joint) Fred's prognosis is guarded at best

I am attaching a rough guesstimate for what potential costs could be for Wilma. There is a cost range from $3,900 - $6097. As you can see, I have not added in prescriptions, because we are not sure if and what those may be. 

Costs for Fred could be a bit more, as we have that hyperextended ankle that likely will require additional attention - so, you could empirically assign maybe a higher range up to as much as $7,500 for him. 

I already paid $1000 for the preliminary visit, $250 in gas, over $1000 in supplies.

These babies have had such a rough go of it from the day hatched. They have been alone, suffering, in pain---they have not played in the grass--gone swimming in a lake, played with other ducklings. They have only suffered. But they are fighters, and they seem to WANT to live.

Humane euthanasia OR surgery are the ONLY two options. I would love to TRY to let Dr. Speer and Dr. Baden try to work miracles on these precious innocent babies so they can have a chance at life.

Will you please consider donating to this gofundme and help me help them?

My Venmo is: @Sascha-Knopf

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Please SHARE either way! THANK YOU SOOOOOOO Much!!!!