Urgent Cockatiel with slight limp, he can't bear weight on right foot

[dreamjoy]

Hello everyone, I noticed an unusual behavior 4 days ago where he would immediately lift his right foot as soon as he perches on my finger. At first I thought he is more inclined to rest these days but yesterday I noticed that he was limping. I examined him but couldn't see any wound or color change so I assumed it must be a sprain that can heal with time. He has been his normal self, playing, flying, eating. He is 2 years old with a previous history of megabac which was treated when he was 4 months old.
But today I noticed that the joint where the leg bends is swollen in that leg and maybe has a purple tint.
I fought with my boyfriend who insists this is nothing. He refuses to drive us to the vet. I have been unemployed for the last 3 months and while I am concerned of the cost, I will be taking an uber to the ER today. I wish to hear if anybody had a similar experience and the course that vets take in such cases. What kind of tests would they be running?

 

[Pixiebeak]

Unless its an avian emergency vet I would hold off for an avain veterinarian appointment.

Can you share a picture?

Sorry your little one has an issue with leg

 

[dreamjoy]

So I got an avian vet appointment for Tuesday but I am not sure Elfie can wait that long. For the emergency, they admit through ER but then consult to the avian vet and from there they take over. Basically it is a very costly avian vet appointment.
I can tell the swelling and color change by comparing to the other joint but I could only capture one leg at a time! I hope you can see it too.

 

[Pixiebeak]

I csn see that he is down on the hock and some swelling.

I would put a towel on the bottom of his cage and remove all perches. To reduce stress on the joint. I would also try to limit him moving around. Maybe keep him caged unless he is sitting with you.

 

[dreamjoy]

We just came back from the vet. I was told by emergency that it wasn't an emergency! So I will be waiting for Tuesday appointment. Mostly because he is very energetic and there isn't bruising around swelling. They were actually surprised that I was even able to catch the swelling. On Tuesday they will take a fluid sample from there. They suspect trauma, gout or arthyritis but they said probably not gout since he is young.
I heard the same suggestion so I will take out the perches and put a towel, give him cage rest time. Thank you! I will update here as much as I can.

 

[Pixiebeak]

O hope us mild snd all better soon