Conure Foot Problems

[DuskyHeadedConure]

My 22 year old Dusky Headed conure has had her first vet-visit problem ever. She has some swelling and tenderness on her right foot. The problem is visible from the top of her foot, but extremely evident from underneath. The end of one toe (out by the nail) is puffy and light pink, sometimes bright red if she has been using it to get around her cage. She will avoid putting weight on it if she can, but she is otherwise still very active, playful, and happy. We took her to the vet (regular- not avian) thinking it would be gout (she has been on a seed-only diet for her 22 years (well with fruits and veggies, and the seeds are vitamin enriched). Side Note: We've been trying to switch her to pellets but she's not a fan. (If anyone has recommendations on how to transition from seeds to pellets, I would appreciate the advice.)

The Vet did a blood test and said she couldn't rule out gout but that my parrot's uric acid levels were on the low end of normal. She did say that the white blood cell count was high so that it's likely she might have an infection. We started her on antibiotics (0.05ml every 12 hrs) and anti-inflammatory (metacam 0.15ml 1/day) and it has almost been two weeks. Her foot does not appear to be getting any better. I should also add that she is drinking a lot of water and her droppings have been quite watery (far more than they used to be). I have attached some images of her feet. She also has stress bars on her feathers but I'm not sure if that was from the stress of taking her to the vet or if it's an indication of her illness.

I'm thinking I'll take her to an Avian vet soon, but wanted to know if anyone has seen anything similiar? Thank you!!

 

[riddick07]

What kind of perches do you use? I'm not sure but it looks similar to some pictures I saw from foot sores resulting from wrong perches or not enough variety of perches.

 

[DuskyHeadedConure]

We have a few different perches (different sizes, shapes and textures), some smooth wood, some rough, small metal cage bars, and a rope perch that she sits on most of the time. I also built her a carpet covered perch that she has been sitting on quite a bit. I do notice that her foot looks the best when she wakes up in the morning, since she hasn't had weight on it all night (she sleeps in a Hide-a-hut, it's like a furry tunnel).

I should add that she really doesn't have dexterity in that foot. She used to hold her food in it, but she can't grip with it anymore. The toes don't bend. They are pretty stuck in a flat, extended position. She can squeeze and grip a bit, but not much, and I'm sure it's painful.

 

[MikeyTN]

That's a condition called Bumble Foot!!! You need seek a avian vet to have it looked at. It's usually caused by dirty surfaces, unsuitable perches, diet, etc.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

What sort of diet do you have her on? I have a 19 y/o cockatiel who used to get respiratory infections several times a year. I took her to a 'new' vet in 2006 and he said she had a Vitamin A deficiency. He suggested I changer her diet but I didn't buy that. So, we put her on anti-biotics and a few days later she showed no improvement. So I called the vet back and he asked me if I had tried the diet conversion and I said no. He told me to try it (he gave me some free samples) and I did. Within a few days she was completely healed and hasn't had one since. I don't think it's a coincidence.

If you already have different types and textures of perches and you're keeping her cage properly cleaned than it is most likely diet. Have you looked into Harrisons? It's an organic pellet food that the vet recommended for me.

The only down side is conversion, some have not had any success with it. But my cockatiel (who was 9 y/o at the time) took right to it, as did my sun conure when I got him back in 2011 (and he was exactly 1y 2wks old when I got him). I was surprised Peaches (my cockatiel) took right to it since she had been on a diet of apparently mostly junk for 8 years (my mom had her the first year) and Peaches is fussy about fruits & veggies.

Considering the enormous health benefits of Harrisons, I think it's worth at least a try.

 

[BoomBoom]

That's a condition called Bumble Foot!!! You need seek a avian vet to have it looked at. It's usually caused by dirty surfaces, unsuitable perches, diet, etc.

I've never experienced bumble foot with Boomer but what Mikey said is worth serious consideration. From very early on, I shied away from using rope perches because it gets dirty fast and you can't clean it completely unless you put it in the washer everyday. Same thing with the carpet perch. They could be harboring a lot of germs. Maybe stick with natural wooden perches of varying sizes and textures.

Lastly I commend you for having a 22 year old conure! If this is the first medical issue his had, the you are definitely doing something right. I can only hope to have a similar experience with my sun conure.

Hope everything is fine. I recommend seeing a proper avian vet for a second opinion, besides getting rid of the rope perches or getting them 100% clean.