Possible cause: Vitamin A deficiency. So, a few years ago, I started all about parrots to share my knowledge and experience with a wider audience. He was int hat cage for about a month before he started to improve. It is better to have protection, you know. Keep gauze wrap, vet wrap, cotton swabs, Popsicle sticks, styptic powder, etc. If you shop through our affiliate links, at no cost to you, we will receive a small commission and we will be very thankful to you for that! He is +/- 4 week old. I just noticed this bulge on my birds foot just now. Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that is not very common. Some prescription medications can increase your metabolism, which will burn more calories. A horse may exhibit a minor hitch in his stride or be reluctant to place any weight on one foot. Avian herpesvirus is one of the common causes of infections. Short-term problems or injuries must be addressed so long-term, more serious problems like arthritis do not develop. But not wanting to put much pressure on the other. If you feel a splint will be helpful, use a cotton swab, a piece of cardboard or even a Popsicle-type stick. Broken bones and dislocated joints need to be set and bandaged. If scales are raised, this can be due to a burrowing mite (Knemidocoptes mutans) or better known asScaly Leg Mite. Probablyone of the most common problems we see is Mareks disease in small flocks of birds. Crooked beak/crooked toenails. Also high in fat, these tasty little seeds are a favorite of many types of birds. If you intend to trim the nails, avoid cutting them too short. An x-ray will identify and isolate a potential fracture. So, it all depends on the species, environment, and all. Avoid the nerve endings (the quick), as this will cause further discomfort and lasting damage. And then fix the problem accordingly. There is a range of unique conditions that may affect the feet, and physical stance, of a pet bird. Is there any possibility you can get a second opinion? feather ruffled, Answered by Dr. B. in 14 mins 8 years ago Dr. B. 3. Geese pick up worms more often than ducks, especially if their pasture is well used. 1 Birds that are found lying on the bottom of the cage or who refuse to leave their nests or perches are often very sick and in need of immediate veterinary care. Trouble maintaining balance. Does the leg look different from the other? This swollen pad is normally called Bumblefoot. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Ya I don't know. This forum is for advice about initial treatment given to your injured/sick bird until a qualified avian veterinarian is available. Even though the ball is in line with my back foot . OK, here's how to do it: For a long chip, I address the ball with a slightly open stance and most of my weight on my left side ( above, left ). Because the bird has difficulties coping with its feet. Any treatment will depend upon the problem with the feet. It can occur in any poultry or waterfowl and is usually only noticed on the underside of the foot when they go lame. If your bird gets this germ, its feet would mainly be affected. This is normally identified by green droppings, lack of appetite and increased thirst. The second thing to do is feel for warmth. Keep us updated and hugs to you for worrying. Your veterinarian can also recommend strategies for preventing future problems and help you to provide the best care for your feathered friend. A bacterial infection causes it, so a short course can normally clear it of antibiotics like Tylan, prescribed by your vet. Yes, that is something obvious about this problem. I've never heard of a vet telling a person to put their bird down because it has fatty liver disease. And that would also be similar to these issues. Claws that arent properly trimmed affect a parrots ability to support its weight, putting pressure on the toes, feet, and ankles. If you can give them an idea of a budget to work with, they may be able to splint the legs and give antibiotics. well, we checked her out. They sent us home on a regimen of Motrin and rest. He was in seriously bad shape, and even still he was treated. Location. However, try to remember one thing all the time. All put together, we have over half a century of experience in the birding space. Well, if your bird has this, the feet would look like being cut. So, how does bumblefoot affect the birds feet? And your bird might be affected by this too. Long claws that begin to curl under the foot, Limping or an unwillingness to perch on certain surfaces, Bulging skin, as though something is pressing on it from the inside, Biting or fleeing when you reach for or touch the area, Avoid injuring itself as it flaps, climbs, or moves around. The possible reasons include hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, dislocation, patellar luxation, osteosarcoma, Lyme disease, inflammation, tendon injuries, muscle trauma, injured paws, and fractures. You want to get used to the weight of the walking boot and moving your foot in a normal walking motion again. Meantime if your vet doesn't want to treat the bumblefoot you can do it yourself. Yes, the feet of birds generally have more problems compared to other body parts. There are any number of possible causes. I dont see any injuries on her body however her one leg is in bad shape with a definite break that is open and visible and the other leg doesnt have an open break but it is broken as well. Many can also run, jump, swim, and dive. The splint should reach the length of the leg; be sure it does not extend above or below the leg to prevent further injury. If unable to walk, put weight on a single foot, or appear to limp, the parrot will be unable to: This can leave your parrot in constant pain. Bacterial or fungal infections, tumors, gout, metabolic bone disease, or any other systemic diseases that affect the bones and joints. (If your dog is bleeding, do not give aspirin; aspirin is a blood thinner and can prevent blood from clotting.) Relax your toes and knees and adjust your weight so the tripods of both feet feel equal pressure. You will notice that the feet of your birds are getting dry. Blue Finch vs Indigo Bunting: A Complete Guide. Some of the warning signs that you should look out for include: Lameness is most obvious when the horse is trotting. despite her reluctance to walk on it she sure is clamoring around in the coop a lot, jumping between nest boxes and up on the roost. Keep your child's splint dry. JavaScript is disabled. Poor little Pumpkin, I watched him hatch last year and I don't want to see him in pain (nor my other fids). Lethargy. And you need to make sure it is not mentally disturbed. A treatment of dipping the cleaned legs into surgical spirits weekly for a month is usually recommended by vets to kill the mites, followed by covering the legs with Vaseline, which will soften the scales and suffocate the mites in between surgical spirit treatments. Overuse of one leg due to perch preference, lack of proper perches, or chronic foot picking. Then you are in your normal shoes and walking as usual again. They put pressure on the nerves of the legs, but generally do not have pain associated.Move the bird to an aquarium, box or carrier with soft towels in the bottom, no perch, and food and water in low bowls that she can reach easily. Still, these are not licensed for use on food-producing animals such as chickens, so they should, therefore, only be used when prescribed by your vet, who will also advise a suitable withdrawal period for your eggs. You may also notice the splayed legs of your bird. This is why you may see a limp in your dog's hind legs and is often a lameness which can be seen on both sides. Leupold Bx4 Vs Bx5: Which One You Should Pick? 3 You should have no trouble coercing your bird into gobbling them up. Several hours later and X-rays show no breaks, and no other issues with hip or leg. Anonymous. However, symptoms include: Overgrown claws cause parrots to hold their feet awkwardly or shift from foot to foot. If there are no obvious injuries to the legs, examine the bottom of the foot. Now, this would be an easy solution too. It could be caused by trauma, tumor, stroke, heavy metal toxicity among other possibilities. Welcome back, thanks for stepping up (definitely no pun intended) and taking care of your brother's budgies. Foot problems may be ascribed to everything from trauma to overgrown nails, or something more complex like vitamin deficiencies, bacterial infections and heavy metal toxicities. Having a consultation with an avian veterinarian provides a unique and invaluable opportunity to understand the legs and feet of your bird, and what best sustains their health. There are many ways parrots feet and legs can be temporarily or permanently damaged, resulting in lameness or limping. My male turkey was killed this morning and I found my female injured laying in the brush about 6 feet from him. If your parrots claws are overgrown and sensitive, use these services to correct the problem. Scaly mites are microorganisms like viruses. He is passionate about poultry and keeps a range of different chickens, ducks, geese and quail. Arthritis develops slowly over time. Also check her for bumblefoot - can do a BYC "search" and get lots of info. A parrot with a tumor may hold itself differently. I hope that everything goes well for your bird and he feels better soon. You can sometimes prevent your parrot from redeveloping a limp or foot problem by doing the following: Tidy up droppings, shed feathers, and food scraps. Now, you may wonder. When I was home, he was climbing on the sides of the cage, avoiding the perch. The toes and nails may also become malformed. You know other than this, you may also find some other issues like gout. That looks like it might be gout or the beginning of bumble foot. 04 of 05. The veterinarian will send you home with necessary materials to take care of the bandaging. This can lead to arthritis or osteoarthritis. feather ruffled, Expert's Assistant chat Customer: My bird will not put weight on her leg. Like, your bird may have been hit by something sharp. Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis often include: Tenderness when you touch the joint. This can become painful and will eventually cause limping. In the case of painful feet, weakness or physical changes in your birds feet, its recommended that you seek out an avian veterinary specialist who is aware of a birds physiology and anatomy. Also, does his other foot look swollen, like it is thicker, or is that just me? She has drank some water a couple of time. Could he have sprained it, or could it be worse? Some fractures may benefit from surgery, especially if located in the femur. If your local Vet is a Farm Vet, they commonly take care of everything on a Farm, including their birds. And its feet may have mainly 2 problems. Limping may be attributable to too-long nails, particularly if you notice the first joint of the toe is rising from the surface, or the nail is bent on its side. At first, weekly or biweekly checks will be necessary to look for signs of bruising and progress. If the bird is in significant pain, the veterinarian will treat the discomfort. If its compressed or pinched, a parrot may lose its ability to stand, balance, or walk. First, your bird may be infected by scaly mites. She was young, too young to to leave us (6 months old). Paying careful attention to how the bird stands on and interacts with its perches is highly recommended. In some cases, birds suffering from a disorder like bumblefoot can develop serious, and possibly life-threatening, bacterial infections. Make sure the bird (especially a female) is getting the calcium it needs for bone growth and protection. If allowed to continue, this can also lead to issues with the following: If the limping is due to an injury, it should appear immediately. My chicken is limping and has been in a small area for the past week with no improvement. For example, a condition that is particular to birds is bumblefoot, an inflammatory condition of the soles of the feet. An egg-laying female with insufficient calcium will lay eggs with weaker shells. An excellent tip is, if possible, to take your birds cage to the avian vet for evaluation. It seems a LITTLE better but Dr. Google is freaking me out with the possibilities. Parrots bite their feet when, It may seem harmless to find your parrot drooling, but this isn't the case. It has been observed that in some birds the toes or legs turn black and fall off. Calcium is critical for bone health. However, you can not directly try to resolve this problem. And then you need to apply the medicine for this. I can lift my upper back of the floor but not the bottom half of my back. Taking a radiograph is one of the best methods to determine if a fracture is present. To keep the little hamsters fed (who, in turn, run tirelessly to keep the lights on), we partner with trusted brands as their affiliates. I would make sure everything is all soft, and its good you padded her perches. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. In rare cases, underlying skeletal conditions or nutritional deficits may weaken the bones. But he is still recovering so I think he will probably get back to 100%. If he doesnt I would def take him to the vet. If your bird's foot appears to be broken, it is likely that it is really fractured. JavaScript is disabled. Another cause is an animal attack. And one issue with them could be their Learn More Scott Solis Health Care Because you should not overlook any issues with your bird. Most of the time, it is initiated by a cut or something like that. Does not appear to infect outside the world of chickens. So, how to treat my bird with bumblefoot? As far as the leg looking skinnier it is because he is not putting pressure on it since his leg is up in the air. Author. This will give the vet the opportunity to check the birds stance and any interaction with the perches. You must log in or register to reply here.