My budgie survived a bacterial inf., but struggling with a lame leg now? Need advice.

Hi all,
My budgie became sick two weeks ago. He had diarrhea, undigested food in his stool and vomited. He was on drugs for the last 10 days such as Marbocyl and Meloxidyl. His stool improved and he is digesting the food now, but I've noticed a new simptom, which I don't know if it is related to the primary disease (the vet did not make a diagnosis what bacteria caused the disease, he just put him on broad spec antib. and we hoped for the best).
Now my budgie keeps holding his left foot up all the time. He doesn't tuck it under his wing or make a fist (if that makes sense) and goes to sleep, he just holds it in the air.
I see him use his left leg when he goes eating or drinking (he has appetite and the stool looks normal), but it looks a little lame. Could it be I damaged his foot while administrating him meds or is this connected with the bacterial infection in any way, I've read somewhere that bact. inf. cause damage to the kidneys and hence the lameness in one foot?

If female, there could be an egg pressing up on a nerve.

If male, it could be a tumor.

Likewise, it could also be an injury from a fright.


Hard to say. A vet may be of better help there.

I agree, I will phone his vet tomorrow. There is no other way. I've read it could be a tumor, but I find it strange that he would have two things at the same time - a bacterial infection and cancer.
My budgie is a male. I will update when I hear what is wrong with him.

Ivka said:

y. I've read it could be a tumor, but I find it strange that he would have two things at the same time - a bacterial infection and cancer.

Click to expand...

Cancer doesn't prevent you from getting sick in other ways. In fact, when you are weakened by cancer or other health problems, it leaves you vulnerable to opportunistic infections that take advantage of the host's weakened immune system.

I'm not saying that is what is happening here, but it is possible that the bacterial infection was secondary to an underlying health problem.

Agree with all of the above and hope the lameness is treatable. Is your vet avian certified? Complex cases are best managed by specialty practices. Hopefully the symptoms will disappear, please keep us updated!

Hi Scott and thanks for the kind wishes, yes I'm taking him to an avian vet.
He was at the vets yesterday. I've agreed so they can do an x-ray and find the cause of his foot troubles, but later in the day the vet called me and told me that he consulted with another doctor and that doing an x-ray might not be a good idea, if it's just trauma. The trouble is my budgie is 10 years old, and anesthesia is dangerous for old birds. There was a chance he wouldn't survive it.
So my buddy was prescriped painkillers which I must administrate every 12 hours, and to wait and see for 2 days how the treatment goes. If it gets better, than it is trauma. If worse, it indicates to a more serious issue.
And what is unfortunate, yesterday when I brought the little fella home, he was so happy and chirping and the old himself! But, I noticed that one of his back fingers is bend and pointing the other way and I'm suprised that the vet's staff didn't notice it. I've called them immediately and unfortunately, the vets were done with their shifts and there was no one to report what I've noticed. This finger, that was bent yesterday is in it's right position today or how to put it - the bird unbent it, if it makes sense.
My little fella is otherwise doing better and for now it seems to be a trauma. He seems in a lot less pain now than during the weekend - he is sleeping right now.
I have to schedule another meeting with the vet and will update what happens next.

wishing you both all the best and hope he gets well soon

Thank you @Amsterdam, it means a lot. <3