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Urgent Finch with a broken leg! Help! **Sad Update**

xgreenbudgiex

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My friend left me in charge of her birds while she is away, and this morning I got a message saying that one of her finches, Tornado, has broken his leg. I have the bird at my house, near my finch cage, he is in a mouse cage half covered with a blanket. He has food and water, but just sits there and occasionally cheeps to my other finches.

His leg seems to be broken at the top, and he cannot land properly when he flies, which is why there are no perches in his cage.

I need to make it clear that I cannot take him to the vet, for different reasons. One of these includes money.

Is there anything I can do?

Or should I have him put down?

My friend wants me to do everything I can, but if there is nothing I can do, well.........
 

greys4u

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sometimes friends can only do so much (like you)
 

Birdbabe

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About the only thing you can do is tape that leg up against his body, very tricky to do, he would need to be confined and taped for a month or so. It's your and your friends decision , wonder if you can You tube how to do it. Keep us updated,:hug8:
 

Animallover03

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About the only thing you can do is tape that leg up against his body, very tricky to do, he would need to be confined and taped for a month or so. It's your and your friends decision , wonder if you can You tube how to do it. Keep us updated,:hug8:
I agree :)

My grandma said that one time her mom's canary broke its leg, so she took a toothpick and taped it to the leg until it healed. Maybe this would help?
 

MommyBird

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Is it possible to at least get pain and inflammation relief for him, some metacam or celebrex?
 

JLcribber

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You don't have any resources or any of the skills to do much for this bird. Putting the bird down would save it a lot of pain and suffering because you're not going to do anything for it. You want to be a breeder. Deal with the situation. (this is only the first of Many).
 

JosienBB

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You don't have any resources or any of the skills to do much for this bird. Putting the bird down would save it a lot of pain and suffering because you're not going to do anything for it. You want to be a breeder. Deal with the situation. (this is only the first of Many).
How does one ethically "put down a bird" without a vet?
 

xgreenbudgiex

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I have just examined his leg, and found that the reason he was dragging his foot is because he has lost two of his toes, which I couldn't see before as he had his leg tucked under him.

There is a scab on his foot where the toes came off, two front ones, so that is why he was dragging it....???

Can birds with 2 toes still perch safely?
My friend will be sad to hear :sad1:
 

iamwhoiam

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A bird with 2 toes can adapt. The question is why did he lose the toes? Were they like that when you got the bird? Is the area around the toes black?
You stated that taking him to the vet is not an option but it might be the best option. Perhaps you can work something out with the vet regarding payment.
Keep food and water dishes low. Put padding on the bottom of his cage. My sparrow, Spee, has two non functioning legs and only one foot that functions and he has adapted just fine although he has had this since he was very very young.
 

xgreenbudgiex

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A bird with 2 toes can adapt. The question is why did he lose the toes? Were they like that when you got the bird? Is the area around the toes black?
You stated that taking him to the vet is not an option but it might be the best option. Perhaps you can work something out with the vet regarding payment.
Keep food and water dishes low. Put padding on the bottom of his cage. My sparrow, Spee, has two non functioning legs and only one foot that functions and he has adapted just fine although he has had this since he was very very young.
His toes were missing when I got him, except for one that was hanging on by a bit of hay, which doesn't really count.
I only noticed it had a toe on the end when I got him out, when I had him in the car I just thought it was a piece of hay stuck to his feathers.
The other toe is probably at the bottom of the aviary.
His foot has a red scab where the toes were, And apart from that I think he may have wrenched his leg in attempt to get away from whatever took his toes.

He is living with two budgies, one quite aggressive, one cockatiel who is fine with finches, one turquosine, one goldfinch, and 3 other zebra finches, one of which is his mate.
How could he have lost his toes? Could a cat have clawed them off somehow?
 

JLcribber

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His toes were missing when I got him
So much for being a friends bird right?

He almost certainly lost it at the hands of another bird. The most likely reason being not enough personal space which creates unhealthy competition. And they are not the same species which would never live together.

How would a cat get ahold of a bird in a secure aviary?
 

Tiel Feathers

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If it's your friends bird, can't your friend pay for the vet? I feel sorry for this bird, and think it should be looked after properly.:(
 

iamwhoiam

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Poor little guy. Keep him separated from the other birds. Contact your friend regarding this again and since he wants you to help the little one then your friend should foot the vet bill. You may want to consider getting some Vetericyn skin and wound care. I use the hydrogel version. There is also a Vetericyn plus antimicrobial hydrogel. However, he may need more than that. Keep him warm and make sure he is eating. If not you may have to feed him. If he recovers then he should not be re-caged with the budgies or 'tiels.
 

WendyN

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I hope all works out for you and the birds.
Sounds like a difficult situation.
 

Tiel Feathers

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She needs to keep the cat away from the aviary. That's just irresponsible.
 
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