Urgent Baby parakeet infected leg

[Fritzgerald16]

Hey y’all! I know I’ve been MIA for a while, my family is going through some (emotionally) tough times.
BUT while I was at the local chain pet store picking up some millet my daughter came running over saying “there’s something wrong with one of the birds” I went and looked and immediately grabbed it out of the cage and said “this bird need vet care right now” to the nearest employee who responded “well, we don’t do that so it will probably die” I told her then I would be taking it, purchased the millet and some more food bowls and here we are!
It looks necrotic to me, I will try to get an appointment tomorrow but I Can’t remember if my vet works on fridays so it might be Saturday morning that this little guy gets seen. S/he is in a bin, that little foot is almost dead so I didn’t want it getting stuck in bars, I’ll have the heater on tonight but any other suggestions? His other foot is chewed on and he is missing a toe on the other foot so he uses his little beak to help get around.
He tries to perch, should I put a branch on the floor? I just don’t want more damage done

 

[Hankmacaw]

Put him in a box that will restrain him from moving around too much. Keep him very warm (85-90f) and make sure he eats and double sure that he drinks. That is standard comfort care until they can get to a Dr.

 

[Fritzgerald16]

Thanks @Hankmacaw I was just trying to think of what to put in the water bowl, I’m afraid if it’s beak and 1 good foot get wet it will get stuck in the bowl. I’m looking around for something I can put in there, I have a sponge but again I don’t want it’s little foot to get stuck in the porous material

 

[Milestone]

Yes drinking is very important. If he can't try to use a dropper. Poor little guy. He looks very young, it's so sad how most pet stores treat their animals. You should report them.

 

[Love My Zons]

What a horror to have an employee say that! I would be spitting nails. And I would have done exactly as you have. Keep us updated on that wee little baby!

 

[Milestone]

Also, maybe try not using a food bowl and leave the seed with the spray on the floor for easy access. You could also try leaving some lettuce with water drops on it, or use a milk jug lid.

 

[Fritzgerald16]

I just put some lettuce leaves in the water so he can nibble/drink and hopefully not get stuck. I’m 99% sure the leg is not going to make it, has anyone heard of leg amputation and how birds handle it? I’m just trying to get prepared, right now is the only time between now and tomorrow afternoon to do any research in case that’s what she wants to do.

 

[finchly]

Wow chica you pick the hard ones! You can see the pain in his eyes. So glad you got him.

I got a cat at the shelter once (I’m not a cat person) when they used the same line on me - is it in the script or somthing? The cat had been run over and had a broken hip.

 

[finchly]

I just put some lettuce leaves in the water so he can nibble/drink and hopefully not get stuck. I’m 99% sure the leg is not going to make it, has anyone heard of leg amputation and how birds handle it? I’m just trying to get prepared, right now is the only time between now and tomorrow afternoon to do any research in case that’s what she wants to do.

They adapt very well. Look for @Garet ’s post about his that lost a leg.

 

[Fritzgerald16]

Wow chica you pick the hard ones! You can see the pain in his eyes. So glad you got him.

I got a cat at the shelter once (I’m not a cat person) when they used the same line on me - is it in the script or somthing? The cat had been run over and had a broken hip.

I know, I cried on the way home with him thinking “oh my gosh it’s Jason all over again”. Hopefully this one is just an infection and we can get him all fixed up.

 

[Garet]

Yep. c: My boy lost his leg and he basically has a little bone sticking out that the vet doesn't want to remove. He climbs, hangs upside down, goes on his swing, flies around, eats, drinks and bathes like normal. Even the fact that the doors are at the top of his cage really don't bother him.The only thing that seems to be bugging him is scratching his head. You could also try putting food and water dishes on the ground as well as up near his perches. I used a little tupperware for his seed and a washed pill bottle crazy glued to a sour cream lid to make it safe for him to drink.

You just have to be careful that he doesn't chew it and provide some safe places. The branches I used for his perches are about as thick as my wrist, he has wicker baskets to sleep in, and a cockatoo toy he uses as a swing. Ladders are also your friend.

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

They adapt very well. Look for @Garet ’s post about his that lost a leg.

Yes there have been at least 3 people here who have birds lose a leg or foot since I've been here. They seem to cope quite well and even thrive too. I wish you all the best with him. You're so awesome for saving him

 

[WendyN]

Good on your daughter for noticing and bring it to your attention.

 

[finchly]

^^ @WendyN message number 5000.

 

[WendyN]

 

[Lady Jane]

You may have to make a collar if the bird tries to bite at the wound. I think @Garet used a cup came holder with a hole cut into it.
perhaps he can post some photos. He also got a special cage.

 

[Garet]

Here's an idea for some stuff you can use;

I know you can't see it, but there's a second perch behind the hanging toy closest to the front of the cage. I chopped off a portion along the branch to essentially make it a platform. The green toy with the bits hanging off is his swing (and the toy furthest to the back was given to me by @SandraK , along with a bunch of other things). Oddly enough, Dorian uses the dish on the ground more than he does, despite being the one with both legs.

You can see one of the wicker baskets here. I moved Dorian's swing in there, too, thinking he'd want to swing even if his buddy couldn't, but they both use it just fine. It's one of those cheap things that come with the cheap, tiny cages, but it's smooth and he can rest his stump on it. (also in the foreground is another toy Sandra sent us).

I think having an able-bodied buddy really does help him, though. That white plastic perch came from Dorian's cage, and they shoved the toy off the perch so Bull could lean against the bars with his buddy snuggled up to his side to help him sleep there.

I tried giving them a hut with a sturdy base, but removed it after neither wanted to use it. It might take a while to get down to where you are, but if you'd like it I can send it on to you.

 

[Garet]

You may have to make a collar if the bird tries to bite at the wound. I think @Garet used a cup came holder with a hole cut into it.
perhaps he can post some photos. He also got a special cage.

Here you go. With and without the holders. Be aware that your bird will chew through them. Some days, I had to use two or three. It was actually kind of funny to watch him roll around, trying to gnaw through it.

If you have to replace the tape, use surgical tape. Medical tape did us no good. If your bird needs a cone like mine, please use surgical tape.

I think the vet made it out of sturdy plastic? It seemed very long and kept him from moving around as easily, but it kept him from chewing it.

ETA: I do have a cone from SandraK as well that I could send to you, but I'm not sure if it would be long enough? The cone the vet used on him restricted his flight to keep him from flying and hurting himself.

 

[Garet]

Oh, and also! The vet recommended letting it fall off on its own and not going through surgery. She gave us baytril to keep him from getting an infection. I was told they'd basically have to sedate him to the point where he was basically dead and bring him back and hope the shock and blood loss didn't kill him. When we went back, she said to leave it alone again, as it was a dry wound instead of an open, wet wound, and less likely to get infected.

We also put polysporin on his leg, but it took forever to dry and seeds kept getting stuck to it.

ETA: Something to perch on might help. I used a little wreath-shaped toy. It helped my boy get up while in his cone.

 

[Dartman]

Well, the leg is still pink so there's probably still hope. Beepers toes that got bit all eventually turned black and fell off and she adapted and got around fine. Is the leg cold like it's getting no circulation or is it warm and he's favoring it? I hope it gets better with treatment or eventually gets dealt with so he can adapt and move on, which he will. I also hope whatever drama is going on with your family evens out with everyone happy again and you can hang out here more if you choose.
Hang in there we're all behind you and things will get better