Well after months of going between 16 and 18 grams, Legs 11 has finally got to a massive 20 grams. I am so pleased. I have been willing him to get to 20 grams for his first birthday, which is on Friday. He still has boiled and mashed food and is fed from a spoon, and at the moment he isn't very active. But he has his daily bath and has been eating quite well for the past 2 weeks. So I am hoping he has now turned a corner and is going to continue eating and steadily gains weight, so that eventually he will start to eat on his own.

Gail
xx

Way to go Legs 11!!!! That is fantastic news Gail.. time for some birthday photo's I think..

Jeanette xx

Gail
Great to hear that little legs 11 is eating well and gaining some weight,would love to see more photo's,he's so adorable.
Jaynex

Come on Legs, you're getting there little one..... once you get over this steep hill its downhill all the way!!! Well done Gail for all your hard work and perseverance, its finally beginning to pay of for you, take it one step at a time, you will get there soon with this little fighter xxxxxxxx

great news gail and well done leggs 11. you,ve done wonders with the little fella. birthday photos on friday we hope......tiggy

Well Done Gail, and well done legs
I'm soooo happy for you both. He's such a little sweetie
Go Legs Go legs
X X

Gail in all honesty i was a little concerned about Legs chances of survival,but against all odds Legs has made it this far and is actually starting to gain weight.i can honestly say in my opinion this is entirely down to your care and determination for her/him to survive.i really expect to see pictures of the second and third birthday parties in time let alone this first one.

Thank you for your comments. Pictures of the Birthday Boy will be posted on Friday. I have to say, I still don't feel as if Legs 11 is out of the woods yet. But considering he went down to 8 grams and is now 20 grams helps me to look on the positive side. He also has a very pink healthy looking inside of his mouth. I know his diet isn't ideal, and he is still spoon fed boiled food, but as long as he keeps eating I shall keep persevering. We have a battle of wills some days, as he can be very stubborn. But after a nice bath, a few chin tickles and a lot of pleading from me, he will start eating his food. It can sometimes take upto an hour for him to finish eating, and he wears quite a lot of it, but I can't give up on him, he has come too far.

However, I do have a question. Legs clearly has an overbite and a hair lip. I know that he will need veterinary treatment to stop his beak becoming a problem while he is eating, but I don't want the vet to stress him out by filing it down at this stage, as he is far too small. AS long as it isn't stopping him from opening his mouth, will it be ok a while longer? Just until I feel he is strong enough to stand being messed with? Or could this be the reason he isn't eating on his own? Because he won't eat off his slate, or even entertain eating cuttle fish, he isn't wearing his beak down.

Oh also, does a hair lip go hand in hand with a cleft pallet? Could this also be something to consider for his lack of ability to eat on his own?

Gail
xx

Gail are you ab;e to post a photo of Legs hairlip? Just for information purposes really, so that those that haven't seen one can, and those that have can assess how bad it is

I will see if I can get some more photos of him tomorrow. It is quite difficult to see as his beak sticks out a bit and hides it. Also when he eats, because the food is mashed up it squeezes out the little slits in his upper jaw. My concern is that if they file his beak he will be left with a hole in the front of his mouth.

Gail
xx