Dry Peeling Feet? Possible Bumblefoot?

[Rabooki]

Hey everyone!

Ok so I just noticed about two days ago, this pink spot on my lovebird (waffles) foot. It’s on the top. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s dry here. It just started to get really cold out and very dry. I assumed it wasn’t bumblefoot, as I’ve only seen that on the bottom of the feet, but I don’t know for sure.

Sometimes she walks in her poo and I have to clean it off. She doesn’t let me grab her, so I usually just wet a q-tip and lightly wipe the poo off her foot through her cage bars. I’m just thinking maybe poo has dried onto her food and somehow caused a reaction or peeling of skin, I don’t know

Also, I don’t have any sandpaper perches. I have all wood. None are the smooth dowels either. I have one perch that is meant to file down the beak and nails (not sandpaper) but I have it at the bottom of her cage and she doesn’t go on it that much. Again, the pink spot is on the top of her foot.

I don’t know if I should be worried ��

I feed her roudybush pellets, occasional egg food, 1 nutriberry a day while I teach her to forage, and a little round thing of millet (usually to get her to go back in her cage).

 

[noodles123]

is the peeling on the top or bottom? Is it just dry skin, or open sores?

 

[Rabooki]

is the peeling on the top or bottom? Is it just dry skin, or open sores?

It's only on the top. It looks like it's just dry, but I honestly am not 100% sure, because it is pink on the "dry" spot. But there's no blood or scabbing. It also doesn't look open.

 

[noodles123]

I'm not a complete expert on this, but I'm pretty sure bumble foot is normally on the bottom (as that is where the contact takes place).

 

[Rabooki]

I'm not a complete expert on this, but I'm pretty sure bumble foot is normally on the bottom (as that is where the contact takes place).

That's kinda what I thought too, but wasn't too sure, as I'm a new bird owner. Thank you so much!

 

[noodles123]

You do want to keep the poop off of her feet as much as possible. Keep an eye on the area and if it continues to look pink or starts to swell, get her to a vet-and definitely try to keep poop off the pink area. I doubt that will happen, but they can get other types of infections and birds are super sketchy about hiding things lol.

Good job paying attention!!!

Parrots can and do get dry skin that peels.

 

[Laurasea]

Welcome to the forum. I see the ouchie. Id guess a slight injury from something.....i think it will be ok.

Fo mist with warm water, abd offer very shallow wide dish with just an inch if warm water to bathe in.

 

[Rabooki]

Welcome to the forum. I see the ouchie. Id guess a slight injury from something.....i think it will be ok.

Fo mist with warm water, abd offer very shallow wide dish with just an inch if warm water to bathe in.

Thank you for the reply! I'll have to try the misting and shallow bath

 

[Rabooki]

You do want to keep the poop off of her feet as much as possible. Keep an eye on the area and if it continues to look pink or starts to swell, get her to a vet-and definitely try to keep poop off the pink area. I doubt that will happen, but they can get other types of infections and birds are super sketchy about hiding things lol.

Good job paying attention!!!

Parrots can and do get dry skin that peels.

Yes, I'll for sure check to see if she starts limping or anything starts to swell.
I'm constantly checking for poo on her feet too, because she keeps stepping in it lol.

I'm glad to hear that parrots do get dry skin that peels, though, because I really was not sure if that was normal. Thank you so much for the replies!

 

[abababa]

Yeah, it's unlikely to be bumblefoot in a pet bird; bumblefoot is basically an infected abcess that swells. Because a pet bird won't be exposed to as many bacteria as a wild bird, the odds are lower - but it's still possible, and you should absolutely keep an eye out for swelling, and keep the cage extra-clean while it heals.

The most likely explanation, if it's a little red dot, especially on the topside, is your lovie has accidentally clawed it's own foot. Birds are fallible too, and since their feet have comparatively few nerves (which lets them perch on hot/cold surfaces!), and pointy claws, it's an accident that sometimes happens. It would be the expectation it will simply heal over with time, but as mentioned it's well-worth keeping an eye on it for any signs of infection (pus, swelling), since these things can quickly escalate and can be lethal or crippling without a quick administration of antibiotics.

 

[plumsmum2005]

It could be worth keeping an eye to see if she is pecking/chewing her foot? It will most likely be at quiet times if it is happening.

 

[Rabooki]

Yeah, it's unlikely to be bumblefoot in a pet bird; bumblefoot is basically an infected abcess that swells. Because a pet bird won't be exposed to as many bacteria as a wild bird, the odds are lower - but it's still possible, and you should absolutely keep an eye out for swelling, and keep the cage extra-clean while it heals.

The most likely explanation, if it's a little red dot, especially on the topside, is your lovie has accidentally clawed it's own foot. Birds are fallible too, and since their feet have comparatively few nerves (which lets them perch on hot/cold surfaces!), and pointy claws, it's an accident that sometimes happens. It would be the expectation it will simply heal over with time, but as mentioned it's well-worth keeping an eye on it for any signs of infection (pus, swelling), since these things can quickly escalate and can be lethal or crippling without a quick administration of antibiotics.

That’s reassuring to hear! Thank you so much for your response. I’ve been making sure she doesn’t pick at it while it heals. And I’ve been keeping her cage nice and clean. It seems to have healed by now. There’s the slightest bit of pink on her foot. No swelling or puss or limping. I’m thinking maybe a slight scar? I’m not sure.

 

[Rabooki]

It could be worth keeping an eye to see if she is pecking/chewing her foot? It will most likely be at quiet times if it is happening.

Thanks for the reply! She does chew her foot. It looks to me like she’s usually just preening her foot? But if I see that she is chewing on it a bit too much I do try to distract her or something.