Broken leg?

[Reftect]

My cockatiel had a little night fright yesterday, though i immediately got out of bed and uncovered her as quick as i could she seems to have hurt her leg. She was favoring her left foot pretty badly in the morning to the point where should could barely climb and would fall off the bars if i didn't help her.

I moved her to a medic cage and she slept for a little while, after a couple hours she was moving around some more and seems a little more alert. She is now sitting on perch with both her feet down now and her toes on her left foot are curling around, but she is not using her left foot for climbing. Her left foot doesn't look swollen or bruised, and i don't see bones that looks out of place.

Do you think she broke it or just a bad sprain?

I do not get paid until tomorrow. Just want to know what i can do to help her with the pain. Can i give her a baby aspirin in some water?(Obviously very diluted in water)

Thank you for the help.

 

[Vegemite]

I personally WOULD NOT give aspirin. Can you ring your a-vet for some advice???

 

[Reftect]

There are barely any avian vets around.. and i doubt there up at this time.

 

[TextsFromParrots]

Do NOT give her human medication. Birds are built really differently from a human and even diluted baby aspirin would be a bad idea. I'd keep her warm and in the hospital cage. I would get her to the vets first thing in the AM to have the leg checked out. Did you make an appointment already? If not, call as soon as they open and explain the emergency.

 

[Renae]

Done a search and apparently you can use Metacam (?). There is something else that has been suggested previously to use for pain relief, but I can’t remember the name of it for the life of me, nor find it! I will continue to search for it though.
Hope she feels better soon and her leg isn’t broken.

 

[Merlie]

I'm a little bothered .. you breed these birds, yet have no funds to get them medical care when needed .. just last month you posted this:

http://forums.avianavenue.com/bird-boulevard/115769-donation-website.html#post1713044

Perhaps you should rethink breeding if you don't have the financial means to vet your flock when needed.

 

[TextsFromParrots]

And also, please put aside some money for a vet fund before considering more birds I know last month you were looking for donations for a baby you had hatched with neurological problems and now this little girl, when you just purchased two more birds for your flock. Squirrelling away money, even if its just a little bit, will build up a vet fund to allow for emergencies. You can also apply for care credit which can help cover bills. With as many birds as you have (9 I think?) and being a breeder it's imperative that you be ready to get them immediate care.

 

[roxynoodle]

As far as I know birds cannot have aspirin. You can give Metacam if you have any and know the dosage rate.

Pete did something similar on a Sunday night. I talked to my vet on the phone and put towels in the bottom of his cage in case he fell. By morning he was actually ok even though he was sure carrying on about it the night before. After talking to the vet again in the morning we decided he was probably ok, but if it got worse again to bring him in.

Come tomorrow if it isn't better you really need to take the bird in. I hope it's just a little sprain.

 

[Dana Lee]

I'm no expert but it sounds like a sprain, take her to the vet first thing in the AM as she may need rx meds. If your breeding I'd try to find a knowledgeable avian vet in your area and build up a good rapport with them. I've been taking my birds to Dr. Doolen for years, before I had birds I had ferrets and I took them there too. I always go for yearly check-ups, sick visits, etc. Because he knows I am good with my pets and because I pay on time the Dr. is more than willing to help me in an emergency (afters hours help and once he even gave me a big discount on a ferret's surgery). And just in case he is away I have Amwell Bird Hospital about an hour from my house, never went there but it's good to have at least one bird knowledgeable vet you can get to in a hurry if need be.

 

[roxynoodle]

And yes, I did give him Metacam, but my vet told me to go ahead and give it to him.

 

[Reftect]

You know i don't know where you guys work, i don't know how much you guys make. All i know is that i get paid every 2 weeks and it's not that much. You think i wouldn't take my birds to the vet when they needed it if i had the money. And i really hate how everyone says that, "Take them to the vet" You really think half the people who say that can actually pay to take their birds to the vet? And yeah i am a bird breeder, but i love my birds with all my heart, but when i ask for help i get attacked because i had a baby who had a problem that is now fixed. He is the happiest little bird ever and is going to be weaned soon and yes at that time i didn't have money to take him to the vet does that mean i shouldn't be aloud to have animals? Well i think it's messed up. You people just don't understand that if people took there pets to the vet every time they thought something was wrong, they would probably be in debt. I've learned to take care of my birds so that i don't have to rush off to the vet everyday. Maybe some people should do the same.

And it's wrong of me to ask for a donation for a baby bird? At least i tried. I've seen plenty of people ask for donations on here so whats wrong with me asking?

All i am asking is what you guys think it might be, and if there is any other way i can comfort her until tomorrow. But it seems all you people are worried about is my ​financial means.

 

[Reftect]

Thank you roxynoodle and dana lee.. i was thinking it was a sprain also since she is moving around a little more. I also looked at Metacam, and it says its for dogs and cats? I will probably order a bottle just to have around the house.

My vet is actually right next to my father in laws body shop, he is the sweetest guy but he is not a avian vet, and it seems like there avian vet is always on vacation everytime we call them.

 

[Danita]

Metacam needs to be prescribed by a vet, it comes in varying doses and compounds. Weights and dosages must be correct. You can easily overdose a small bird like that, kidneys shut down pretty quick.
My grey recently broke his foot, it was a six week healing process with a cast.
X-rays on small birds are reasonable.

Keep you tiel quiet, warm and hydrated. A small carrier would prevent any further falls.

A bum foot isn't the end of the world for a bird, but because it is so young, I would hate to think it wasn't corrected when it could have been.

 

[Alex92]

I wish you the best for your girl. Hoping it's just a small sprain.

 

[Milo]

You know i don't know where you guys work, i don't know how much you guys make. All i know is that i get paid every 2 weeks and it's not that much. You think i wouldn't take my birds to the vet when they needed it if i had the money. And i really hate how everyone says that, "Take them to the vet" You really think half the people who say that can actually pay to take their birds to the vet? And yeah i am a bird breeder, but i love my birds with all my heart, but when i ask for help i get attacked because i had a baby who had a problem that is now fixed. He is the happiest little bird ever and is going to be weaned soon and yes at that time i didn't have money to take him to the vet does that mean i shouldn't be aloud to have animals? Well i think it's messed up. You people just don't understand that if people took there pets to the vet every time they thought something was wrong, they would probably be in debt. I've learned to take care of my birds so that i don't have to rush off to the vet everyday. Maybe some people should do the same.

And it's wrong of me to ask for a donation for a baby bird? At least i tried. I've seen plenty of people ask for donations on here so whats wrong with me asking?

All i am asking is what you guys think it might be, and if there is any other way i can comfort her until tomorrow. But it seems all you people are worried about is my​financial means.

Gonna get sent to the shed for this but I think it's worth saying.

You are darn right that we will tell you to take an animal that's IN PAIN to a licensed veterinarian for care. It's irresponsible to be breeding animals without the means to care for them. I always advocate taking animals in when they need it. You know what? I take my guys in when they need it. I get paid every two weeks just like you and I can tell you that I don't get paid a lot either. I just got hit with Wyatt's bills and you know what we're doing? We applied for carecredit and we're eating ramen. Simple as that. Being a pet owner is being responsible for a life. They don't have a choice that they're stuck with you. We understand very well about large vet bills but we also know that they come with owning animals. Especially animals that require a specialist's care, like birds. I have more to say but I'll stop there. I hope your little one gets the care that she deserves.

 

[Mizzely]

You people just don't understand that if people took there pets to the vet every time they thought something was wrong, they would probably be in debt. I've learned to take care of my birds so that i don't have to rush off to the vet everyday.

I understand what you are saying. I don't run to the vet for every sniffle, but some things are just not able to be done at home, and do require vet assistance. If your bird is in pain, then I think it is cruel to deny them that. If it's just a sprain, well so be it. If it's not a sprain, and is a broken bone, for instance, than a vet should be your only choice.


Do I think people who can't afford vet care shouldn't have animals? Yes and no. I understand that people go through rough patches, and I don't think there is a black and white answer to that question all the time. But I DO think people who can't afford vet care should hold off on breeding until they can be sure they can take care of every life that they alone are responsible for bringing into the world.

 

[Love My Zons]

I will say just about everyone here who has been around a long time do have the means to take their birds to the Vet. It is the newer members mostly minor young adults who ask and post who do not have the means to.pay for care. Yet you posted asking about a broken leg. It is quite hard to determine a break without an xray yet a fracture is still a break and painful as would be a sprain. I get paid every two weeks but I will say I have always saved and always had savings in the bank available for any emergency. Aside from pets, cars and homes that is why we work, save and manage for that rainy day. I can be proud to say that my birds, dogs and cats are lucky they have me knowing how awesome they are as individuals they never have to worry about care for an injury or illness. I hope your little one has just a sprain.I am sure those who did not have funds in the past have some afyer realizing the importance of a Vet fund.

 

[Sadieladie1994]

It is hard to tell between a sprain and a simple fx. •I had a GCC and she was doing as you said. •The first vet did not xray and said it would be fine. •She held her foot up some the next day. •I went to a different vet because I felt she should have something for pain and to xray her foot. •Her leg was broken and it was splinted. •She did receive metacam for pain which is also an anti inflamatory medication. •She healed in 3 to 4 weeks. •Metacam is prescribed by a vet as the dosage in birds can be a bit tricky. •Larger animals such as dogs do ok with Aspirin, not so with birds. •If you should go into the vet and get metacam see if he will give you an idea of dosaging. •Some breeders do keep the medication on hand to have available at vets recommendation. • One though does need to be careful with giving your own medications such as antibiotics as that is one way to develop drug resistance. •Keep your eye on the little one and let us know how she makes out. •Glad to hear that your bird with neurological problems is doing well.

 

[Reftect]

I swear it's like none of you guys are reading what i posted. She is going to the vet TOMORROW... because i get paid TOMORROW. Is it wrong that i'm asking other people with birds who may have been in the same situation that i am in to give me there opinion on what they think it may be so that i can try and comfort her a little more until tomorrow?

And Milo your making it seem like i don't give a rats ••• about my birds, which is not true.

Besides you people are acting like all my birds are sick and dying, which they are not. My bird had a night fright that's it!

 

[TextsFromParrots]

Yes. Yes I can afford vet care for all of my birds.

I’m not saying this to be mean and a bully, I’m saying this as please take this as a wake up call. You are adding to your flock and breeding them, are the new additions quarantined? Are they tested for diseases? I’m going to assume they aren’t given that testing runs around $300 per bird. Some diseases that can be transmitted to your flock aren’t readily visible and can devastate your birds. You think that we are being cruel by saying this, but cruelty and heart break is found is watching your birds get sick and slowly languish before they pass away. Please don’t think it won’t happen to you, because it can, and so terribly easily. I recently brought home a bird that was sick, I’ve had over $2,000 in vet bills and had to keep a strict quarantine from my own flock. What would have happened if I hadn’t tested? Hadn’t kept them separate? You are also breeding a species of bird that is renowned at egg binding, a life threatening condition that MUST be treated by a vet.


You can get offended at our pleas and warnings, but love will not fix egg binding. Love won’t heal a broken foot. Love won’t cure a disease. I live paycheck to paycheck for the most part, and every paycheck has $40 taken out and placed into a savings account that goes untouched for vet fees. Hell, even throwing change in a jar is at least something that will help. Decide you don’t need that cup of coffee or fast food meal or treat from the store. Decide to put that money aside because you need to keep your birds well fair in place. Put their picture on a jar to remind yourself of WHY you are doing it.

Heck, even look at it this way. If you want to be a breeder, be a GOOD one. Be a RESPECTED one. Be one that vets their birds and cares for every baby they raise. See they get the care they need and do it right or please don’t do it. Because not vetting your birds, making sure your flock has no diseases they are transmitting to their chicks, having funds set aside in case of emergencies makes you the sort of breeder that I would NOT recommend to anyone. Nor would anyone feel comfortable buying from you here because none of us know if your birds are passing on disease unknowingly or not and no one will want to risk their flock. By doing this, you aren’t doing your babies, your business or yourself any justice.

I am reading what you post, and if you had had a vet fund you could have had the bird seen today. Bones set remarkably fast and if it is broken, it might need surgery to repair it to full use. And can you afford it? Or will the bird be forced to deal with the possibility of a leg that doesn't work properly? What we’re responding to is some of the things you’ve said indicate you have no way to provide vet funds for future emergencies and it’s very worrisome especially since you’re breeding. Please please use this as your wake up call.