Help please!!

[Redden88]

Hello there I'm just looking for some advice really?? I have a 5 year old quaker called sonny I've had him since a little fella he was born with deformed feet he's missing both rear toes on both feet and his front are not the best .now he has started chewing one of his remaining toes and managed to get a nasty cut we went to see a local vet and she thinks it's best to put him down. I'm so not ready for that and more importantly neither is he he's still doing pretty well eating and drinking Aswell as being pretty chirpy. we are off to see a avarian vet on Thursday for a second opinion what do you guys think i should do thanks Ian..

 

[Terry57]

Hello and welcome!
I am so glad you have an appt. for a second opinion. I hope the new vet is able to help you, I know some people have had success with collars. We have a few members who have Quakers who self mutilate, I hope one of them will chime in on what has helped them.

 

[wrench13]

Sorry, no advice here, but like Terry said, itis great that you are seeing an AVIAN vet, who might have a good idea. Salty and I applaude you for caring for this guy despite his issues.

 

[GaleriaGila]

You know what?

NO MATTER what happens... you are a wonderful soul, and you have given this little darling love, the greatest gift that can be given.

I hope we can support you. I'm so glad you found us.

 

[Laurasea]

Some birds live with only one foot..I don't know if you do but you could offer a shelf for him to test on sometimes so he doesn't always have to perch. You can also get a very wide perch too. Quakers can suffer from Quaker self mutilation syndrome. You can try and increase time out of the cage, new toys, baths and misting. Hot chili peppers have a lot of vitamin A and vitamin C and the hot capsicum part helps immunity too I feed one a day! If you have a safe travel cage or can roll his cage outside if it is warm enough but stay with him at all times, natural sunlight helps mood and is good for them. Maybe you feed veggies already but lots of veggies are good for them. I'm sorry to hear of the feet, I hope the avain veterinarian has good offeres for you. If you want to post a pic of feet we can see what you are dealing with, not that we are vets....

 

[Laurasea]

Redden 88 how is Sonny?

 

[Redden88]

Hello everyone thanks for your generous words.

We have had a real set back last night sonny has managed to get his dressing off and had a nibble again so we are back to square one regarding the healing process.

It's so frustrating because this little fella just will not give in he was straight back to eating and drinking this morning as if nothing had happened.

If I'm honest I just pray they can remove his toe on Thursday because I'm sure he could still manage this little guy Is a machine.

I will try an upload a photo and once again many thanks.

 

[sandeejs]

Redden88:
I have read somewhere (or seen somewhere) that Haldol, a human psychiatric medication, helps parrots that pluck. Maybe you could ask your vet?

good luck!

~Sandee~

 

[Laurasea]

You can ask about pain relief too, it could be he has chronic pain in his remain toes that makes him chew. Though quakers will chew over groom feet as a stress ,anger, and quakers thing. My rescue plucker came with a missing tip of the and her feet were raw from obsessively chewing on them. Being with me in a better setting and lots of baths have helped her feet heal, she still does it but not as much, and she still plucks . Sounds like you have really been caring for your special baby , and giving the best possible life. I hope your new vet helps and you keep us posted. I have a huge love of these smart funny birds!

 

[EllenD]

You can ask about pain relief too, it could be he has chronic pain in his remain toes that makes him chew. Though quakers will chew over groom feet as a stress ,anger, and quakers thing. My rescue plucker came with a missing tip of the and her feet were raw from obsessively chewing on them. Being with me in a better setting and lots of baths have helped her feet heal, she still does it but not as much, and she still plucks . Sounds like you have really been caring for your special baby , and giving the best possible life. I hope your new vet helps and you keep us posted. I have a huge love of these smart funny birds!

I was going to suggest this too, he may be in pain...Has he had any pain medication or anti-inflammatory medication? If not, I'd ask your Avian Vet about at the very least trying it...And an E-Collar is your best bet while his toe heals...

I'd not let the Vet put him down without at least trying to see how he does without the toes, as you said he will probably be fine without them...Birds are survivors, they learn to adapt...So if it's a case where that toe needs to be amputated, then so be it, but I'd at the very least give the guy a chance to adapt, because many parrots have lived long lives without feet, without a leg, etc. It's definitely worth a shot...

 

[Brittany0208]

Ultimately, the decision is up to you.
I have a one-legged bird whose only leg has severe tendon entrapment from a raccoon attack in his past. He cannot extend his leg at all or use his smaller back toe. Despite this, I can tell he wants to live, and putting him down has never been an option. Maybe you could ask for second opinions, and possibly seek behaviorists because he could be a psychological thing.
Even if he ended up with both feet amputated, he could still have an amazing quality of life. My vote: unless he is suffering, don't put him down.

 

[Scott]

Welcome, and deep respect for seeking solutions for Sonny. If he is happy and willful, his life can be enhanced and will ultimately enrich yours.

 

[LordTriggs]

I met an African Grey last year who needed a home called Pippa. I clearly didn't adopt her as she needed someone more around and more versed in disabled parrots. The poor girl had no use of her feet and also had scissor beak from her bone issues she had as a baby. I think any other person apart from her original owner would have given up and put her down. She's now several years old and her current adopter thinks she can scoot herself along the ground faster than her able-bodied parrots so definitely your little guy can live a good life even with his issues.

Try getting your guy lots of flat shelf-like perches he can rest on and softer perches and ladders to make things easier for moving around, he may have trouble playing with toys but do offer him some to see what he likes to have around and keep the TV on or the radio, just something to keep his mind active and avoid him getting bored. Even if he doesn't get to directly interact he will enjoy seeing the world around him.

Best of luck to you

 

[Redden88]

Hello everyone I'm overwhelmed by your response we had little sonny to the avian vet today he's amputated the toe.

Basically sonny is very deformed in the feet area and the vet thinks that it's down too his body not accepting nutrition very well he only weighs 62 grams so he has put about 6 grams in 5 year

Where do we go from here well the vet said the next 48hrs are vital she didn't put a collar on as she said nature will run its course now so let's see.

 

[Laurasea]

Did you get pain meds??? 62 grams is very low.. did they do blood work to check for infection, or a fecal gram stain? Does he have trouble eating with his feet like that? Mine hold food in their feet to eat. Poor kiddo, he and you are in my thoughts. I hope he overcomes it. Probiotics might help digestive issues, they helped my bird.

 

[Redden88]

He's got loxicom he's had that for nearly two weeks now so the vet said continue with that and provided antibiotics to think the little fella had his toe removed less than 8 hours ago he's stood here next to me eating grapes and egg biscuit unbelievable man.

 

[TiredOldMan]

One tough little trooper!

 

[Scott]

So humbling to see them fight for life, makes the efforts so worthwhile.

 

[EllenD]

What's his regular daily diet? And have they done simple, routine blood-work to check his liver and kidney functions? He may not be properly digesting his food due to a liver issue, or he may have an absorption issue, either way these are conditions that can be treated with medications...Is your vet a Certified Avian Vet? Because it doesn't sound to me like they are trying very hard at all...not putting a collar on a bird who just had an amputation surgery because "nature will run it's course" makes not one bit of sense to me at all..ANY BIRD will chew at a new surgical site! It's up to the vet to protect that area so it heals properly...

Something isn't right here at all...

 

[Redden88]

His daily diet is harrisons pellets veg and fruit.the vet we seen yesterday is a avian vet basically she chopped the toe and cortarised the end she said she did not want to put the collar on as It causes too much distress. Basically she said it was all genetic she wouldn't expect the little guy to live his full life and she assumed he wasn't getting his nutrition but never ran any tests am I missing something here??