Realistically, what can be done for a broken wing?

[Snapdragon]

My friend's macaw attacked his sweet little rescue caique this morning, and he thinks her wing is broken. He's already at the vet with her. The vet (if I'm remembering correctly, it's the same vet Bumble sees) is out today, so won't be able to see her until tomorrow.

I don't want to stress my friend out any more by asking questions.
(He's obviously already worried about her and is panicking about how he'll pay for it.) I thought I'd ask you all instead: realistically, what, if anything, can be done for a broken wing?

 

[Laurasea]

Often it is wrapped in a special way to the body. It will heal,in time. Or it can be amputated. Many wildlife rehab birds have overcome broken wings. Not all get full use out of the wing, but some do.

 

[Scott]

Sad to hear this, main consideration is using an experienced certified avian vet for best options and resolution.

 

[Jen5200]

Dependant on the specific situation - of course - but many wing breaks do heal if treated properly. CBEAM in Bothell also has an avian vet and I know that they do have some emergency services (not sure of the cost of that though). I have heard of folks using Care Credit or something similar to pay for vet costs over time?

 

[SailBoat]

The likelihood of success is the stabilization of the wing to prevent the muscle from twisting and the break opening (separating) and likewise twisting.

Stabilization involves lightly rapping the wing to the body. This is no easy undertaking for an individual not experienced in such.

How does he know the wing is broken? If the wing is being held in a lowered position, it could be a muscle that received the damage. An X-ray will clearly define what has in fact happened.

 

[bug_n_flock]

And don't fret too much if amputation is the suggested route. I knew a 1 winged cockatiel for a while at a school where I worked. Sweet bird, they really are quite adaptable. Disabilities don't seem to bother animals too much. I know our Hima isn't held back by having severe splay leg.

 

[Snapdragon]

Thanks, everyone. This has been a very rough day. My friend had to leave his bird at the vet for the day and come back to work. The vet (apparently she had the office email her the x-rays) called after looking at x-rays and said that the wing was indeed badly broken. When my friend went out to his car to pick his caique up, the car died, so I picked her up for him. (45 minute drive each way!)

At the vet, I found out that in addition to the break, the joint is crushed, there are severe puncture wounds, and severe bruising. They have her on pain meds plus two antibiotics. Despite the pain, the sweet little bird was so appreciative of head strokes and beak scratches even before she was put on medication! She was NOT happy with me though when I removed the perch from her carrier. (She was so drunk from the pain meds that she kept falling off the perch.)

What a rough day. Please keep my friend and his caique in your thoughts!

 

[Snapdragon]

The likelihood of success is the stabilization of the wing to prevent the muscle from twisting and the break opening (separating) and likewise twisting.

Stabilization involves lightly rapping the wing to the body. This is no easy undertaking for an individual not experienced in such.

How does he know the wing is broken? If the wing is being held in a lowered position, it could be a muscle that received the damage. An X-ray will clearly define what has in fact happened.

Thank you!

He's a parrot trainer and a VERY experienced parront. Since it was such a bad break, it was apparently pretty obvious to him.

I got to take a look when I picked her up, and she was already picking apart the bandages that bind the wing to her body. He thinks he can find something to temporarily rewrap it for the night, and he's going to call the vet in the morning for another appointment.

 

[Scott]

A tragic injury, the rescued caique needs every bit of care and affection possible.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Any updates on how she is doing?

 

[Snapdragon]

No word on how she'll heal up; it's just going to take time.

My friend has been bringing his little caique to work every day so he can stay on top of her medication schedule and keep a close eye on her. He keeps her in a small flight cage with perches removed and a towel on the bottom (because she is on some good drugs and is clumsy from it) and toys, or else tucked carefully into his shirt. Ha, you should see him when he's gazing at her and talking to her. He jokingly complains about women rocking birds like babies, but Mr. Tough Guy completely melts for that little bird. AS HE SHOULD.

That little caique is SO SO HAPPY. She chirps and makes all kinds of crazy sounds constantly -- I swear to you, she sounds like R2-D2! -- and her head feathers are all puffed up. (OMG the caique cheeks. So precious.) My co-worker says his caique must really like being at the parrot shop, because the moment she realizes where she is, she begins chirping and singing like mad, and it doesn't stop until they leave. (I can confirm.) The pain meds don't hurt either.

All in all, that is one lucky little bird. Lucky that her dad got to her in time, lucky that her injuries were as "minor" as they were (I mean, she DID get chomped by a large macaw!), and lucky that her dad has a good support network.

 

[Scott]

So happy he is getting quality medical care and attention. Well deserved!!