You can imagine how mortified I am that this happened. All is well now but I am posting it in case it might be helpful for someone in the future.
I have four cats of my own that are 100% fine with the bird. I don't let them play together, obviously, but I have no worries that my cats are going to leap at my bird or swipe at her. In fact, due to a defect in her old cage, she got out and spent the whole day out while I was at work (well, I don't know what time she got out). Imagine my shock when I got home to find her sleeping on the cat tower!
Anyway, a couple weeks ago I took in a foster cat until he could be neutered and assessed. He spends the day in his room (spare bedroom) and we let him out for a few hours during the day, making sure the bird was caged or on us (she does not fly). But as people are wont to do, our attention faded and he knocked her off the arm of the couch.
Immediately after, she seemed fine, but within half an hour she was looking sleepy, constantly pouffy, and would scream if I touched her wing. I feared a break but I saw her stretch it out so I knew it was not, although she was carrying it lower than the other.
This was a Sunday night (figures!) so I called the emerg vet in our city - they don't have an emerg avian vet but they do have an on-call vet and I was put through to her. The vet said it was fine to wait until tomorrow if she was eating and walking around which was, and perked up noticeably when I brought out a cheese slice (her favourite treat).
The next morning was heartbreaking. Either an infection was brewing or it hurt from being immobile overnight (sort of how a sore leg is worse the next morning). She was obviously in a lot of pain.
I have never been so worried and stressed in my life!
We brought her in as soon as we can (thankfully our vet is great with triage and knows that a real emergency can't until the next open spot!)
Turned out she had a small cut on her wing. Topical ointment, 7-day course of antibiotics, and she is doing so much better. In fact the day after the vet visit she was miles improved. It hasn't healed fully yet - I can't see any cut or anything, but her baths are no as vigorous and she still shrieks if you touch her wrong but I think she is being a bit of a baby to be honest.
Some of her wing tips turned black which I understand is a symptom of stress and/or infection.
Anyway, it is embarrassing for me, but I wanted to share. Many lessons learned. She is, as I type, pushing her head into my fingers for rubs. I'm sooooo glad she's okay.
I have four cats of my own that are 100% fine with the bird. I don't let them play together, obviously, but I have no worries that my cats are going to leap at my bird or swipe at her. In fact, due to a defect in her old cage, she got out and spent the whole day out while I was at work (well, I don't know what time she got out). Imagine my shock when I got home to find her sleeping on the cat tower!
Anyway, a couple weeks ago I took in a foster cat until he could be neutered and assessed. He spends the day in his room (spare bedroom) and we let him out for a few hours during the day, making sure the bird was caged or on us (she does not fly). But as people are wont to do, our attention faded and he knocked her off the arm of the couch.
Immediately after, she seemed fine, but within half an hour she was looking sleepy, constantly pouffy, and would scream if I touched her wing. I feared a break but I saw her stretch it out so I knew it was not, although she was carrying it lower than the other.
This was a Sunday night (figures!) so I called the emerg vet in our city - they don't have an emerg avian vet but they do have an on-call vet and I was put through to her. The vet said it was fine to wait until tomorrow if she was eating and walking around which was, and perked up noticeably when I brought out a cheese slice (her favourite treat).
The next morning was heartbreaking. Either an infection was brewing or it hurt from being immobile overnight (sort of how a sore leg is worse the next morning). She was obviously in a lot of pain.
I have never been so worried and stressed in my life!
We brought her in as soon as we can (thankfully our vet is great with triage and knows that a real emergency can't until the next open spot!)
Turned out she had a small cut on her wing. Topical ointment, 7-day course of antibiotics, and she is doing so much better. In fact the day after the vet visit she was miles improved. It hasn't healed fully yet - I can't see any cut or anything, but her baths are no as vigorous and she still shrieks if you touch her wrong but I think she is being a bit of a baby to be honest.
Some of her wing tips turned black which I understand is a symptom of stress and/or infection.
Anyway, it is embarrassing for me, but I wanted to share. Many lessons learned. She is, as I type, pushing her head into my fingers for rubs. I'm sooooo glad she's okay.
