Urgent My conure has a foot injury and foot is necroting please help!!

[Mer93188]

On May 18 my conure got his foot caught my a thread of his happy hut where he sleeps in. I didn’t notice it right away before work and when I got home I noticed he was still in his hut. Long story short the thread cut his circulation, when I found him he has chewed off all 4 fingers (no blood anywhere) and I rushed to the vet. He was bandaged And I was given baytril and metacam to give to him 2x daily. I been taking him to the vet weekly since then and all they been doing is changing the bandage and well his foot keeps necroting more every time. The vets next step is to put a collar on him and expose the foot for further healing. I am concern because it’s been over a month and he is still on the meds (unsure if long term use of baytril can be harmful) it looks to me that he should get the foot amputated but, this vet has not recommended that. Does anyone know how long would an injury like this last/how long would it take for his foot reminants to fall off naturally? Should I take him to a different vet for possible surgery (I don’t think my vet does surgeries) he is a well know avain vet in my area and has great reviews. My baby seems to be in pain without the Metacam (he shakes his leg and doesn’t put weight on it) if I skip a dose. Has anyone gone trough a situation like this an has some advice or info. Since the incident I look online for information but, have no luck. I found this forum and hope someone can help me. I have been so sad and stressed for my baby that I love so much. He is a 8 yr old jenday conure. Please help I am devasted seeing his foot today I was hoping for the best but, he’s not getting better just worst... I am in tears.The first image was the initial day when I found him, second him after seeing the vet last 2 are how his currently looks. Everything from where the thread was caught down is basically dead and swollen parts with necrosis but, not completely black. It’s been slowly progressing (necrosis) the missing feathers aon his leg are from the tape the vet puts and then changing it about every week.

 

[Birdbabe]

Oh dear! The metacam will help with pain and inflammation. But, that foot will have to be removed, the baytril will help with infection. I'm so sorry you have to go through this
.but. on the bright side...he will learn to adapt..we recently had another member , cant think of his name right now, who had a bird with a necrotic foot, the foot fell off, and bird is ok, adjusting to his new life. Added protein to his diet will help him heal ...as for the baytril, usually 21 days is max, .metacam can be given up to 30 to 45 days...please keep us updated... get a second opinion if you need..

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

I will tag someone who went through something similar @Garet

 

[Mer93188]

Oh dear! The metacam will help with pain and inflammation. But, that foot will have to be removed, the baytril will help with infection. I'm so sorry you have to go through this
.but. on the bright side...he will learn to adapt..we recently had another member , cant think of his name right now, who had a bird with a necrotic foot, the foot fell off, and bird is ok, adjusting to his new life. Added protein to his diet will help him heal ...as for the baytril, usually 21 days is max, .metacam can be given up to 30 to 45 days...please keep us updated... get a second opinion if you need..

Thank you! I guess we have surpassed 21 days with baytril perhaps I’ll limit it to once a day until I get a hold of the vet on Monday and possibly take him in if they can see me. He’s booked so far in advanced. I’ve even had to take him and he sees him in the back in between other customers and don’t even get a chance to talk to him. Do you know of any other natural pain medications? I almost picked this up at a bird store but, thought I’d wait till I see the vet. Came home and saw great reviews from people that have used it. I like using natural medications myself rather than prescribe medicine. Thanks for the advice and good thoughts the guilt is still killing me. If I would have really checked him before leaving to work this probably wouldn’t have been this bad. I know happy huts are dangerous but, he’s had one since a baby. He loves them I replace them often but he like shredding them as well and well the day came where a three tangled his foot. I never imagined I’d go through something like this. But accidents happen. I’ve been coping with all this ok and better than a month ago when it happens. I think I’ll give my vet another shot and hope he can remove the foot and put him at ease and myself. Or I’ll habe to take him to another vet I have been thinking about. I figured my initial vet has dealt with him since day one and knows what’s going on so didn’t think of going to someone different. Aside from there being very few avain vets. Only know of 3 in the Los Angeles area. I’ve been reading of other not being fortunate to find vets near them and have to drive hours. So at least I can call myself lucky to have found a few within minutes away.

 

[Mer93188]

I will tag someone who went through something similar @Garet

I will check him out thanks so much. Helps a lot. I been trying to filter out posts to find help in my situation and it’s not that easy. Really appreciate it.

 

[RawPasta]

I wouldn't cut the antibiotics down without approval from the vet, especially if it's getting worse. Giving a full dose today and tomorrow and then asking Monday would be better, IMO. Poor baby, I hope something more can be done, I'd for sureget a second opinion from a vet that does do surgeries. If yours does not perform surgery, do you think that's what's holding him back from saying it needs to come off? I'd hate to see it get worse because a doctor doesn't offer the service your bird requires.

 

[Birdbabe]

I will tag someone who went through something similar @Garet

That's who I was thinking about!

 

[Garet]

Oof, that does look like what my boy went through now that I see it. It looks like he'll lose everything below the ankle. It might be a safer surgery for him to go through My boy would have had to have his leg removed at the thigh, not at the foot.

The vet I went to said there was even a possibility of removal without surgery if it didn't fall off on its own. I'm paraphrasing here, but she said that once it dried out completely, she could try to just take a pair of nail clippers to it once she was 100% sure it was dead. Naturally, don't do that on your own, even she was hesitant to try it just in case there was an artery that could still be pumping even if it was completely dead.

 

[camelotshadow]

Ouch...really swollen...darn happy huts!


Might get a 2nd opinion on that as you don;t want it to cost the birds life if the infection gets in the blood.\\
Maybe with antibiotics that will stop that & metacam...

Stinging needle might have some positive effects..

Where in Lo s Angeles...They have quite a few avian vets if you have a car...

 

[enigma731]

I've had vets prescribe Baytril for up to 2 months. Definitely call and discuss before stopping it.

 

[Mer93188]

I wouldn't cut the antibiotics down without approval from the vet, especially if it's getting worse. Giving a full dose today and tomorrow and then asking Monday would be better, IMO. Poor baby, I hope something more can be done, I'd for sureget a second opinion from a vet that does do surgeries. If yours does not perform surgery, do you think that's what's holding him back from saying it needs to come off? I'd hate to see it get worse because a doctor doesn't offer the service your bird requires.

True I went ahead and gave him his usual done. Like you mentioned a couple days more won’t hurt. And in reality his health now is bad and even if it takes a toll on the long run he needs the meds now. I am assuming he doesn’t due to his own health. He’s a great doctor from what I heard but, due to his age he doesn’t open as long as other offices or as many days and is always booked with his regulars. They have always done the bandaging behind scenes only once I saw his progesss and today that he happens to wet his foot I removed the bandage myself and re bandaged him (the vet was closed) and it scared me to see how it’s gotten worst. There is another young vet avian specialist I been meaning to see to get another opinon but, his chart and his progression has been seen by the initial doctor so I haven’t seen the other vet. I will take him back and ask if surgery is needed at this point. I was trying to stay positive and hoped it would heal as it was initially but, it’s far gone now and I’m not a doctor but, it looks like he needs that whole foot taken off. I’m not sure how long it takes or if that will come off on it’s own. But to me seems like it’s a long slow progression that’s causing him pain. That’s just my opinion. I watch him daily on a camera and he looks and acts normal up until the meds start to wear off. Then his leg is shakey and he won’t put in down.

 

[Mer93188]

Ouch...really swollen...darn happy huts!


Might get a 2nd opinion on that as you don;t want it to cost the birds life if the infection gets in the blood.\\
Maybe with antibiotics that will stop that & metacam...

Where in Lo s Angeles...They have quite a few avian vets if you have a car...

I’m seeing Dr.Rosskoff at avain and exotic animal hospital. I’ve heard of Dr. Micco in palos verdes whom is also great. And yeah those happy huts. he’s had one since he was a baby and loves them.

 

[camelotshadow]

Vaguely heard of him... that south LA...I think hes the older dr thats written alot of books?

Wilshire VCA is supposed to be good.

 

[Mer93188]

I've had vets prescribe Baytril for up to 2 months. Definitely call and discuss before stopping it.

Thanks! And I went ahead and continuesd it. I will wait till I see the vet or speak to the hospital. I have heard bad things of baytril with other animals like reptiles and hamsters I used to take a lot of small animals to the vet working at Petco. Baytril is the go to most vets will prescribe for most animals. Non of them were onit for long though.

 

[Mer93188]

Vaguely heard of him... that south LA...I think hes the older dr thats written alot of books?

Wilshire VCA is supposed to be good.

He’s in the South Bay Area and yeah older Vet with lots of books and experience from what I heard. He just isn’t available like usual Vets I’m assuming due to his age.

 

[Mer93188]

Oof, that does look like what my boy went through now that I see it. It looks like he'll lose everything below the ankle. It might be a safer surgery for him to go through My boy would have had to have his leg removed at the thigh, not at the foot.

The vet I went to said there was even a possibility of removal without surgery if it didn't fall off on its own. I'm paraphrasing here, but she said that once it dried out completely, she could try to just take a pair of nail clippers to it once she was 100% sure it was dead. Naturally, don't do that on your own, even she was hesitant to try it just in case there was an artery that could still be pumping even if it was completely dead.

 

[camelotshadow]

Knowlege & experience is great but without the time to implement the cure (treat) it is worthless...

 

[Mer93188]

Oof, that does look like what my boy went through now that I see it. It looks like he'll lose everything below the ankle. It might be a safer surgery for him to go through My boy would have had to have his leg removed at the thigh, not at the foot.

The vet I went to said there was even a possibility of removal without surgery if it didn't fall off on its own. I'm paraphrasing here, but she said that once it dried out completely, she could try to just take a pair of nail clippers to it once she was 100% sure it was dead. Naturally, don't do that on your own, even she was hesitant to try it just in case there was an artery that could still be pumping even if it was completely dead.

That’s what I am thinking too at first it seemed to be okay and only the tips where black and a lot of swealling. A little over a month and it looks so bad. Even I know it will get removed. Perhaps my vet felt the same way as yours and doesn’t want to risk cutting the foot off. I just hope it heals soon. I hate seeing him like this. Your little one took about a month or so. Maybe mines is taking a bit longer since he’s bigger like you mentioned. How did your birdy adjust to the colllar?

 

[iamwhoiam]

I’m seeing Dr.Rosskoff at avain and exotic animal hospital. I’ve heard of Dr. Micco in palos verdes whom is also great. And yeah those happy huts. he’s had one since he was a baby and loves them.

I've heard excellent things about Dr. Rosskoff and I wound up talking to Dr. Micco when Scully was very ill and she gave me some excellent recommendations. Many years ago she worked as a vet tech for the vet I used to go to.
You can also check out Dr. Schachterle at ACCESS in Culver City. I've heard good things about her. However both Rosskoff and Micco are knowledgeable and caring vets.
That foot does look bad so do contact the vet and discuss this with him. So sorry that he got hurt and hope that things will get better for him.

 

[Garet]

That’s what I am thinking too at first it seemed to be okay and only the tips where black and a lot of swealling. A little over a month and it looks so bad. Even I know it will get removed. Perhaps my vet felt the same way as yours and doesn’t want to risk cutting the foot off. I just hope it heals soon. I hate seeing him like this. Your little one took about a month or so. Maybe mines is taking a bit longer since he’s bigger like you mentioned. How did your birdy adjust to the colllar?

I think that may be the case. Surgery is always risky, someone here lost their bird while the poor thing's band was being removed.

To be honest, my bird hated the collar with every fiber of his tiny body. His was a little... extremely large for a tiny guy like him, and it took him a good week to really master shuffling along with it. His entire body was basically encased in the cone. But not all cones are like the one he had.