Questions on handicapped blue fronted

[KirbysMama]

Hey everyone, I joined just to ask about my one legged baby girl.

I have a soon to be 6 year old blue fronted and about 2 months ago she was being baby sat, when the person watching her allowed their dog near her and she lost her whole entire leg in the encounter and had to have surgery to sort of close her back up.

Ever since she has been very cuddly with me and very hostile towards anyone else.

So my questions are, what is the best cage set up for her? She loves to shred up toys and swing around upside down but I'm worried she'll hurt herself, so I put in some twig balls with shredded paper inside and sisal balls that jingle. I replaced her huge tall cage, with an extra large and wide wire dog cage with some ropes and branches to climb. The problem is now she ends up walking in her poop if I don't clean it constantly. I have gravel paper in there right now, but should I change to a towel? What would be the best bedding?

Next major queston is about preening. She seems to do all right with her back end, but on her neck and all over her face she is covered in pin feathers. I've been sort of pinching and crushing the "shell" and trying to mimic a sort of motion as if my fingers were a beak (does that sound weird? Haha).
She seems so uncomfortable because of the pins and will actually press against my hand and coo. Occasionally I'll touch a large pin feather and she'll screech in protest, so I guess I hurt her and I apologize.

Ugh sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure she's comfortable and happy. I feel so sorry for her

 

[Kiwibird]

Poor baby! I am so sorry that happened to her but glad to hear she survived the attack and is recovering.

Disable parrots generally adapt well to their disabilities. Since this was very recent and she is still recovering, it may take some time for her to adjust, but I'd best she'll be back to a lot of her old antics soon enough I might suggest starting her off with some platform perches, low to the ground and spaced close together to help her start climbing, perching and getting around again. If she has any favorite toys, I see no reason not to start slowly re-introducing them too. She will be like this the rest of her life, so she needs to get used to moving around and playing again. As for the pins, you probably will have to help her with those from here on out. It's ok if you accidentally bump one that is a bit tender, I'm sure she'll forgive you She knows your helping her. Anyways, I wish you the best of luck with her and hope you can get her back up climbing and playing and being a happy healthy bird again.

 

[Aquila]

I made flat perches with canvases from an art store, felt wraped around and glued down onto the bottom with elmer's glue. You can buy the hardware to attach it to the side of the cage. Also try flat wooden perches too.

I don't recommend using gravel paper at all, just use paper towels and change it often. You don't want to risk an infection, and I'd recommend using a raised grate.
Something like this, it's the best example I can find. It's easy on the feet and can be rinsed, as well as being raised up enough so your baby isn't standing in poop.
Cactus Mat 2530-C5BX VIP TopDek Junior 3' x 5' Black Rubber Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat - 1/2" Thick

PM me if you need help with anything. (Though you'll need to get to 20 posts, contact a mod if you need to have a PM sent.) I'm used to dealing with special needs birds.

 

[SilverSage]

My handicapped bird has both legs, but I have really aimed toward hammocks, low perches of varying sizes, and I find that rope perches work well. He seems to really love the rope perch. With the hammock, I have noticed he will scoot to the edge and not poop inside it, so you might try that.

When I was a kid I had a budgie with only one foot. I got her a rodent cage because it has diamond mesh floor grate instead of the traditional bird grate, and that worked very well for us because the holes were large enough that most waste fell through, but small enough that her little stump was able to stay on top. I would look into making something of that sort to keep her out of the mess.

If not, perhaps Pine bedding or shredded newspaper, gravel paper sounds rough and painful. I have also seen people use fleece blankets as cage liners, and simply shake them off and toss them in the washer each evening.

I would think about incorporating an extra-crowded set up for a while, with ladders and soft rope perches (Or even a re-shaped boing or two) that allow her to get all aound the cage without going down to the ground if she chooses. You will want to encourage her to adapt, and I'm guessing you will prefer her to make the habit of NOT crawling around on the floor. Is she flighted? If so that will really work in her favor right now!

 

[Mallory]

I am also curious if she is flighted or clipped. It might seem like a risk having a flighted amazon especially since she has issues with other people, however it would give her more independence and mobility. If she was never permitted to fledge you may have to teach her to fly and there are plenty of good resources out there for that! Having full use of her wings would also allow her to balance easier and also gives her a chance to escape in dangerous situations like the one that caused her injury. Of course there are downsides too and it is not necessary for her to be flighted.

It will take time but handicapped animals usually adapt amazingly to their bodies. It is good you are taking precautions while she is getting used to having only one leg, but soon you should be able to move to a more normal parrot setup for her. The excess pinfeathers may be because she is having balance issues when preening, or it may be she is mildly stressed/depressed/distracted from her injury and not attending to herself as usual. Either way, it should resolve given time.

I hope incidents like these are a reminder to all of us to be very careful and aware of the environment our prey animal parrots are in. It should also be a reminder that dogs and cats are predatory animals with prey drives and our parrots can accidentally trigger those drives and be hurt or killed even by animals they have lived with for years. Last, to the OP, I think it is amazing that you are taking such strides to improve her life after this injury and feel confident that she is in good hands and has the best possible chance of full recovery and a normal life!

 

[SailBoat]

The above members have provided excellent information and I recommend that you work at incorporating as much as possible.

It is important to remember that you will be adjusting to her changing needs as she recovers and gains strength. She will need her world to change with her and allowing her full flight abilities will help her.

Although the membership here brings great depth of knowledge regarding the needs of your parrot, both day to day and the more special needs of a handicapped parrot. I would also recommend that you web search handicapped parrots also handicapped birds (Special Needs Parrots) for additional information and products.

Parents of handicapped children are by in large very progressive (better said: aggressive) in their search for products, methods, support, etc... to better their child's life. The same doggedness is required of a handicapped parrot owner (parent).

Socialize, socialize, socialize your Amazon. At this point, she has good reason to lack trust in 'other' humans. Getting her around other humans in which only good things happen will aid in her gaining or regaining greater trust.

Get your Vet involved and you involved with your Vet! You will find that they share a very special relationship with handicapped companion family members and those family's that care for them. You will be visiting your Vet much more often then others. Get to know everyone by name early. Because you will be working with them on a first name bases when you show-up at 6:30 am entering through that 'special door.' The staff especially the Vet Techs will be your first contact at the Vet office - know who they are! KNOW YOUR VET's OFFICE HOURS and phone numbers. As your Vet Clinic becomes more comfortable with you and your level of commitment, and they become part of our parrots successes, additional information will be shared with you.

Change your timelines and expectations. The new approach is: 'Any' improvement on her part regardless of how small, whether it be a tiny more comfortable with other people, getting around her cage (and your home), you name it - treat it as a major event. Both of you will find that you will need these moments.

The suggestion regarding changing the cage bottom is great. I am a strong believer in cloth towels, the bigger and softer the better. Yes, your washing will increase, but that is life with a special needs child (parrot). NOTE: You will quickly find that she will have a preferred color and/or pattern, and that's OK. Whatever works best.

Now, if you look at this from the 'big picture' point of view, you may find that this maybe too much, because with all honesty, at times, it will be. BUT, The Deep Love, You And Your Family Will Be Receiving In Return Will Be Worth Every Effort. The Love From A Special Needs Parrot (Child) Is Profound!

Our household only rehomes Special Needs Amazons. Commonly, we limit our members to only one and at most two Amazon at a time. This allows the time commitment our special Amazon's need. The reward for each tiny gain is worth every moment of effort.

THANK-YOU - you are a very special person who is part of a very special family!