need help with handicapped conure

[critterman]

Hi I recently rescued a CBC (crimson bellied conure) from a person who had it for a few months. The CBC is about 4 1/2 months old and it had a band on its leg that got caught in the cage bars by the band and the bird ended up with a broken leg. The owner did not know how long the bird was trapped like this until she found it. It was taken to a regular emergency vet (not avian) the next day and they splinted or taped it. She never took it to a avian vet at all and the tape came off or was removed a week later and the leg has healed back crooked and almost non-functional. She advertised the bird for sale and I got it. I couldn't resist once I saw how bad the leg was and the situation it was in. I have had it now 2 weeks and took it to my avian vet and had x-rays done. The vet said it a non-joining fracture broken in at least 2- 3 places and it already healing since it happened back in January. The vet said the bird was not a caniditate for surgery due to the type of fracture and it healing crooked now. The vet said the only option for it was to do PT physical therapy on the leg and toes to see if it helps or amputation in the future. I put the bird in a flight cage 30x18x18 at the vets advice to limit mobility and possible falls from the height of a regular care and doing more damage to the leg or the bird (Ziggy) in general. He doesn't seem to mind the smaller cage at all but last night he got his bad leg and foot caught in the spacing between the side of the cage and the door. It was only for a few minutes as I was changing his water dish and returned to find him caught. I was able to free him without further damage to the leg or foot. But it sure scared me and him. He slept all night in the corner of the cage on the floor and not in his usual sleeping area. I checked him hourly during the night. He is ok this morning moving around as usual and eating, drinking, and playing with his many toys. I have called the vet to inform them and see what they want me to do now. I was thinking of maybe putting him a new fish aquarium with a towel and paper over it and his little sleep hut and maybe a few flat corner perches to sleep on at night. Of course water, food, and maybe a toy or two. I would also put a screen cover on it and place it in my bedroom at night where I can keep a eye on him. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions that might help me to keep him safe? Please advice me.....open here and appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

[weco]

As his/her leg continues to heal, it will get stronger...I'm not sure your new friend will go for the fish tank & the restraints it will put on the bird, but (s)he might go for platforms being added to his/her existing cage. If you can post a pic of the current cage, we might be able to offer placement suggestions.....

Congrats on re-homing your new friend.....

 

[chippy]

The person I got my IRN baby from had her birds in a large acrylic enclosure, with lots of ladders and branches for climbing, but no bars to get caught in... It might be worth looking into for your new friend.

 

[Kiwibird]

Poor baby! I'm so glad to hear you've given this little sweetie a chance. Since the vet did tell you to limit his movements, I think an aquarium or similar non-cage enclosure may be the best option at this point to keep him from getting the leg caught in anything else. One thing you may consider (as silly as it sounds) is one of those "purses" made for little dogs, since it is soft, cozy and can be zipped closed for his safety while he recovers. It will also allow you to take him with you in a safe enclosure if necessary so you can always have an eye on him during his recovery process. You can get them at any petstore in the dog department, and they actually cost less than an aquarium would. Best of luck and keep us posted on his progress! And if worse comes to worse, I have seen one-legged birds before who get around just as well as their 2 legged counterparts. Parrots have amazing will power, so I'm sure he can overcome any obstacles life has given him with good care!

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I like the acrylic enclosure idea or the multiple platforms and "happy hut" type of thing. He really mainly needs to be very restricted in his movement while it heals, right? After he heals he will hopefully adapt to his situation and live pretty well.

 

[critterman]

weco thanks for your advice. The vet is not sure how well the leg will heal since it is broken in 2-3 places. I have a couple of flat perches in his cage at present along with regular ones, he uses both. Again thanks for your advice and help.

 

[critterman]

kiwibird thanks for your reply and helpful advice. I would only use the aquarium at night as I am home retired during the day and his cage is always in the same room as I am. I like the idea of the pet purse and have thought about getting one. I might do that. Again thanks for your help. I will keep you updated. Thanks!

 

[MarciaLove]

oh im so sorry glass is not good cause they need more ventilation I would say get that leg band off immediately! The avian vet should be able to cut it off for you.

 

[critterman]

Marcialove thanks the vet did remove the band last week. That was the first thing I wanted done also. I spoke to the vet today and they said the aquarium would be a good idea at this point to limit mobility and the possibility of further injury. It would only be used at night for sleep. I might give it a try. It is open on the top with a screen also so he will get lots of air that way. I just want to prevent further damage and stability here. Thanks!

 

[Kiwibird]

I've been thinking about your baby since I read your post earlier. I just wanted to add, I have personally dealt with a amazon with a broken foot (fractured in multiple places) as well as helped out with another amazon who suffered a stroke and needed physical therapy to help regain mobility of his foot, leg and wing. I have quite a bit of experience with the 24/7 care seriously injured birds need, and the physical therapy side of things as well (which is not very readily available information). Feel free to PM if you want, and perhaps I could give some advice to check over with your vet.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Have you thought of a cage with platforms? You can use low perches over the platforms. One day you might be able to go back to a normal set up, but not until his leg is healed and he learns how to get around.

My galah has a bad leg from a break. Her hip is healed on the edge of her socket, her lower leg bone slid over her foot, her knee cap is on the side of her leg, and her femur is healed off center of the leg below.

She will never run, waddles more than normal and sometimes stumbles, her leg gets sore if I carry her around for several hours, sometime her hip makes a terrible deep popping noise as it goes out of place, and she will likely have arthritis as she goes into old age. I did simple physical therapy that after 4-6 months made a big difference. Now I've had her for over a year and half and her bad leg doesn't make much difference other than making her slower and me being thoughtful about perch placement.