Skittles had an injury

[Skittys_Daddy]

So, something fell in the kitchen, not sure what- but it started him and he flew into the window. He isn't bleeding and he was able to 'find' a place to land but his right foot was tangled and limp. So I untangled it, he ddin't put up any fight and the foot still seemed limp.

He was having a hard time gripping and wasn't able to use the foot for several minutes but he seems to be gripping okay now. He is using the injured foot to climb onto my finger and I told the vet that and thought it was a good sign since they usually favor the uninjured foot, it means its okay. She told me its not necessarily true. He is very quiet right now and seems a bit dazed.

I had a major panic attack and almost passed out. I haven't had one of those in years and it caught me off-guard. He has gone for food and water and done some preening too, but I don't want to be 'fooled'.

Birds are masters of disguise and given how strong our bond is- he could be trying his best to 'fake' not being injured out of fear of 'flock rejection'. If something happens to him, I'd never forgive myself.

The vet can squeeze him in this afternoon at 4:30p and I was able to get a ride to the vet. Even if he's fine, I just went through two weeks of hell from a bipolar mood episode and this past week has been smooth sailing. It doesn't take much to trigger a cycle and I don't want to go through that again. I'm freaking out and even though I think he'll be okay (I have to think that or I'll lose my mind) its more for my peace of mind.

I'll let you all know how the appt goes but PLEASE keep Skitty in your thoughts and me as well.

 

[Flboy]

Hang in there guy! All sounds good, and you are doing the right thing!

 

[dhraiden]

Good on you for getting it checked out. Do hope it was just a momentary bit of pain and nothing more.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Yes you and Skittles are there, be positive. Let us know how it went. Be calm

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Thank you all, I need the reassurance. I'm trying not to panic and am doing better now- trying to stay occupied but all I can do is look at him.

He is very tired still and he has put the injured foot tucked away (like they do when they are resting) but all that means is that he has good balance, it doesn't mean theres no underlying issue.

I just don't want to expose him to more stress than I have too and I'm hoping he doesn't need an ex-ray.

I had my first 'taste of panic' when I thought his foot was a goner and I NEVER want to feel that pain again.

 

[Allee]

I'm so sorry to hear about Skittles' accident and your resulting and understandable panic attack. I'm glad you made the appointment, I hope all is well and both you and Skitty will be good as new by the end of the day.

 

[Notdumasilook]

Got you and your youngin in my thoughts there bro. Yes they will "fake" it like they are ok ... but from the sounds of it probably no serious damage. On the bright side these lil feathered angels are remarkably tuff and quick to heal. Booger has shown me that on lots of occasions. With luck there is no break and you are just dealing with a soft tissue injury. You can help that heal quicker with some glucosamine added to his daily diet. Keep us posted and I'll give you the info given me by an avian specialist if you want it. Fingers crossed for yall!!!!!!!.

Oh and a quick thought..Even if prescribed Id avoid giving him meloxicam for pain. That stuff does more harm than good.. Also, birdies feet do not have a lot of nerves in them... and to us an injury that would make us pass out from pain is probably more like a mild discomfort to them. IF vet insist on a pain med have him prescribe celocib. (Celebrex suspension) instead.
And if they wanna do an X ray of the foot that's probably no big deal stress wise. Its the full body shots/ spread eagle and the side view they strap them down hard for... unless they sedate them (which is skeery to me). A picture of the foot/leg shot should not be that hard on him.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

He appears to be doing much better. Better than I am anyways. He has gone for food several times as well as water (he is a little piggy!). His grip also seems to be back to normal but I can't get that image of his limp foot out of my head and the only way I'm gonna feel better is if he is given the okay by an avian vet.

I'm hoping it was just a temporary numbness or something (since he let me untangle it rather easily) but even so, the shock alone can be deadly so even if there is no 'physical' injury for him, there is the potential for shock.

From now on, I'm keeping the venetian blinds down (and open) vs up. The blinds are plastic, not metal so they aren't sharp.

I'm hoping he doesnt need the ex-ray and I'd imagine the vet wouldn't advise it unless necessary.

On a separate note, I'd imagine they'll check his weight so I can know if I've been doing good with limiting his 'moderation' table foods.

 

[Terry57]

Sending healing thoughts Skittle's way, and for you as well. I hope it turns out to be a little sprain and that all is well. You are such a wonderful Dad to him, he is lucky to have you. I'm so glad you are getting him checked out, for both your sakes. I know how easy it is to be thrown right back into the cycle, and hope this will help you to avoid that.
If he is in pain, your vet may prescribe Metacam, a few of my birds have been on that short term with no ill effects.

Please let us know what the vet says, you are in my thoughts.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Yep...Amy and Beebs and I have you and Skittles in our thoughts.. Definitely doing the right thing by seeing his doctor..take a DEEP breath...count to ten...exhale...repeat.
We'all have confidence in you. It'll all turn out good


Jim

 

[GaleriaGila]

Fingers and toes crossed for Skittles...

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Just wanted to give you all an update.

I just got back from the vet and he is just fine. The vet told me the 'limpness' was probably just initial shock upon contact (Like when we hit our funny bone and it goes numb for a moment). While she said that isn't typically normal, the disorientation is normal of such injuries.

He pooped and she said there was no blood so that was a good sign. She checked his balance and footing (walking) and that was good. Then she gave him a thorough exam checking for bruises or breaks and everything was okay. He didn't even give her much of a hard time. So she said he isn't in any discomfort.

He also lost two grams of weight since his annual a few months ago. (The vet said he was a tad chubby, so she said its good that he lost a few grams and it means what I'm doing is working).

All in all, I am soooo glad I had him checked out. I will sleep easy tonight. I'm exhausted, though thats mostly due to the drain of energy from the panic.

So he is all good which means I am all good! Thank you ALL for the thoughts!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Thank you for the update and wishing you an easy and peaceful night.

 

[Doublete]

Great update! Now rest and relax!

 

[wrench13]

Great to hear Skitty is OK, you had us all on the edge. You too, we like to know all our folks are doing OK.

 

[Kiwibird]

Glad he is ok! Injuries are so scary. I'd be frightened too.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Whewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

 

[Terry57]

I'm so glad he is okay, and am hoping you both can get a good, restful sleep tonight! Breathing a huge sigh of relief here.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I will sleep well tonight.

I am just so glad I took him. Right after his exam, I just felt like a HUGE weight had been lifted. I was very happy with the exam she did, it was very thorough and I was happy it all worked out.

Now I'm going to invest in some "granny curtains" as my vet called them (sheer curtains that let light through but aren't invisible. I don't want to stick with just leaving the venetian blinds down and open cause he could get caught in them.

A man came into the office while we were in the waiting room and he looked at Skittles and said its just like the bird he has. He has a sunny named Casey who is 16 yrs old and we were trading stories about these little cuddle bugs.

When I was in the exam room, Skitty wanted to come out (he was doing his 'penguin wabble') and I felt bad cause he had been in that little travel cage for over 2hrs so I took him out and he flew over to me and climbed down my shirt.

Thank you all for the thoughts. It means a lot.

 

[Notdumasilook]

Well this old fart is tickled to death your youngin is OK. Those lil feathered fluffballs are tuffer than we can imagine for their size.