Another - Why Open Leg Bands Can Be Dangerous

[MonicaMc]

Charlie, my mitred conure, has a closed leg band, and has had it for 20 years of his life. I know that closed leg bands can be just as bad as open leg bands, especially with a band like his. It's kind of large on his leg. Knock on wood, I've never seen him get it caught on anything, nor has he gotten a toe stuck inside the ring.

Granted, I have seen a green cheek conure that had a leg band that was large enough that she was frequently getting a toe stuck in her band.




However, I've come across a bird with an open leg band. It appears as if someone tried to crimp the leg band too far or maybe the bird chewed it closed on his/her own (also likely), so now the ends over-lap and the band appears to be a bit tighter than it should be. It also appears to be bothering this bird. I hope that the leg band can be removed sooner rather than later, although I don't know how long the band as been this way. I am a little worried about any sort of swelling or irritation caused by the leg band (can't see anything), although this bird is able to move about without difficulties, and the band can be turned on the leg, so it seems to be "ok" thus far.










The person who had the bird said that most vets wont remove bands. I don't know what vet she's talking about, but I know my a-vet will. My a-vet has the tools to remove bands but I don't know how soon her clinic will open. I hope my a-vet will be able to see the bird next week.

If need be, I might be able to find another vet that could remove it, but I don't trust the other vets here that treat birds.

 

[RavensGryf]

The ones I've gone to will, in fact the vet I go to now feels so passionately about it that he will practically demand that all bands (for pets) need to come off.

 

[thekarens]

Yep, I have to avian vets and they both will remove bands. Hopefully this band can be removed soon.

 

[Kiwibird]

That definitely looks uncomfortable for the poor baby. I don't know of a vet that wouldn't take that awful thing off. I just don't understand why in this day and age they don't just microchip instead and phase leg bands out.

 

[MonicaMc]

That would be an interesting study.... if young birds can be microchipped or if it's best to wait until they are of a certain age.


I have no clue how old this bird is, so I have no idea how long the band has been that way. It was actually one of the first things I noticed, which the other person didn't notice at all.


The only animals of mine that are microchipped are my dog and the two cats. All got microchipped as adults. Most of my birds are probably too small to be microchipped. I don't know that my a-vet microchips birds, but I think that's something to be brought up!

 

[Sheryl]

Poor little thing. And thank goodness for compassionate vets. My CAG doesn't have a breeder band. We were told his breeder didn't believe in them. That was 25 years ago. Is it a law?

 

[MonicaMc]

Sheryl, it depends where you live. Some states do require that all birds be banned, or only specific species (i.e. quakers and indian ringnecks, maybe even nandays) be banned, but not other species.


As a whole, though, it's not a law. I've had far more un-banded birds than I have had banded birds.

 

[mtdoramike]

That poor baby, that band needs to be removed as soon as possible before it causes a wound and infection.

 

[MikeyTN]

When I see open leg band now days I remove them myself ASAP....I sure have no idea what she's talking about that most vets won't remove them, the ones I've been to would do it.

 

[MonicaMc]

Almost to next week... (here's hoping my a-vet will be open!)


I've examined the band and it can be turned. I hadn't noticed any swelling or constriction.


I am comfortable using a dremel to grind down Charlie's beak, however I do not feel comfortable enough to try and remove a leg band myself. It would require at least two people to do this, one to hold the bird and one to remove the band. As tight as the band is, it could be difficult to remove it without the right tools... hence waiting until my a-vet.

She has apparently seen people come in after having tried to remove the leg bands themselves and had accidentally broken their bird's leg. This was told to me after I asked if she could do it. Yikes!

 

[GW.Joe]

That definitely looks uncomfortable for the poor baby. I don't know of a vet that wouldn't take that awful thing off. I just don't understand why in this day and age they don't just microchip instead and phase leg bands out.

That's a GREAT Idea, Long Overdue!!

Joe

 

[EnglishMuffin]

When I took Soots to the vet to be checked, she recommended that the next time I bring her in I get her band removed and get her microchipped. Sootie is only 63 grams so even for a conure she's little and my a-vet is adamant that she can be chipped!

 

[MonicaMc]

There are mini-chips which are smaller than the regular microchips most often used for cats and dogs. I believe the regular chips are about the grain of rice and the mini-chips (as per the following website) are 40% smaller.

NEW! Mini Microchips « Alpine Animal Doctors, your local vet for Bright, Porepunkah, Myrtleford, Beechworth, Mt. Beauty and beyond



I hope your a-vet is using the mini-chips!

 

[Tangie]

Hmmmn...so do you guys recomend having no bands at all on a parrot? Not even a closed one? I'm taking Kiko's band off the next time I go to the vet, because his poor little leg looks so sore and red. He's been tugging at the band too, lately.

 

[MonicaMc]

I think it's entirely up to you. Yes, bands can pose a hazard, but if you are aware of the hazards it's up to you.

I've had Charlie since he was 12 years old. That was nearly 8 years ago. He came to me already with a band, and he still has it. Knock on wood, we've had no issues with his band.



I prefer closed bands, which is what Charlie has, over the open bands (what the bird in this thread had).

 

[MikeyTN]

Almost to next week... (here's hoping my a-vet will be open!)


I've examined the band and it can be turned. I hadn't noticed any swelling or constriction.


I am comfortable using a dremel to grind down Charlie's beak, however I do not feel comfortable enough to try and remove a leg band myself. It would require at least two people to do this, one to hold the bird and one to remove the band. As tight as the band is, it could be difficult to remove it without the right tools... hence waiting until my a-vet.

She has apparently seen people come in after having tried to remove the leg bands themselves and had accidentally broken their bird's leg. This was told to me after I asked if she could do it. Yikes!

That would be a wise choice to have the vet do it under the condition it's in. I don't know why some people would let it go so far without doing anything about it. Good luck having it removed!!!

 

[GW.Joe]

Hmmmn...so do you guys recomend having no bands at all on a parrot? Not even a closed one? I'm taking Kiko's band off the next time I go to the vet, because his poor little leg looks so sore and red. He's been tugging at the band too, lately.

I'm an older guy, in the old days we felt like we really needed the bands to prove legitimacy
(if your bird didn't have one you were accused of having an illegal import)

Now I am totally against them, its so antiquated, just have the bird chipped if you feel it is necessary

How would you feel having a metal ring around your ankle for the rest of your life??
If it itches or bothers them all they can do is pick at it, not like they can move it up and rub their leg huh?

When I get my baby GW I am going to ask the breeder not to band the bird, if they do band the bird I will remove it ASAP

They sell a special tool for removing them
(although I wouldn't recommend trying to do it yourself if you are not mechanically inclined and used to working with fine tools)

I would only attempt it if it is "loose" on the birds leg

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm-QhxwuuwY"]Leg Band Removal on a Lineolated Parakeet - YouTube[/ame]

Joe

 

[MonicaMc]

I definitely do not have that tool! LOL

Also no way to hold the bird and remove the band without help, since this is an untame bird.

 

[drlisaort]

Oliver has a closed band which I seriously considered taking off, but I do worry about the chip as well. It's my understanding he would need to go under for the removal and replacement. I don't like to go under if I can avoid it so I try and avoid it with my pets as well. I think if I remove his I'd just leave it be--no chip. Big decisions are tough for me when it comes to my animals who can't voice what they'd prefer...

 

[MonicaMc]

drlisaort, have you spoken with your avian vet about the process?