Toe Tendons Unable to Contract

[Teddscau]

Okay, so before you ask, I can't access my other account, so I had to make this new one until we get things sorted out.

Anyways, Poppy (rescued budgie of indeterminate age who suffers from a beak deformity and is recovering from years of malnutrition) is no longer able to use her left foot. On Thursday, I noticed she was holding her foot up and was barely putting pressure on it. I thought she might've just sprained it or something, so I decided to wait and see.

Anyways, it wasn't getting any better, so I carefully examined her leg, foot, and toes, and nothing felt broken or swollen, and there wasn't any sign of injury or discolouration. On Sunday I realized she was no longer able to bend the toes on her left foot, so I started massaging her leg and foot, and started doing physio. Her leg still moves fine, and I managed to get her front toes to start bending somewhat normally (under external manipulation). However, I can't get her back to toes to curl whatsoever. Her back toes are completely rigid and incapable of being curled, despite spending several minutes massaging and gently trying to manipulate her toes into a "fist".

She's still eating and drinking just fine, and she's still just as bad as she was before at flying. In the meantime, I'm having her bunk in the flight cage with Rumi since I don't need her to shatter a hip when she falls off a perch, nor do I want her sleeping on the floor of the aviary.

I brought her to the vet today, and he's stumped. His examination of her yielded the same results as my initial examination. Anyways, he phoned me a few minutes ago after doing some research, and it's either eggbinding (unlikely as she's never laid eggs since I adopted her, nor is she in a physical relationship with anyone), a stroke (both the vet and I question it as she's still alert, flying, eating, etc.; in other words, she doesn't have any apparent muscle weakness or diminished mental faculties), or some sort of neural tumour or something. Then I brought up the fact that I can't get her to bend her back toes at all, and I brought up the possibility of something akin to a "reverse trigger finger". Anyways, we're looking into the whole "reverse trigger finger" angle.

Anybody experienced something like this before? I've dealt with birds suffering from stokes countless times, and she isn't displaying any of the typical symptoms. Like, her toes aren't weak—they seem to be physically stuck in an extended position. I'm seeing him again tomorrow, so I'd appreciate any insight you guys might have. Thanks

 

[noodles123]

Have they tested her for ABV and PDD? Both can cause neurological issues (and ABV is often, but always the precursor to PDD), along with other (often, initially asymptomatic) viruses.

Sometimes birds with ABV/PDD are put on things like Celebrex to reduce the symptoms, but it is important that you know exactly what disease you are dealing with (if any), as some can spread to other birds and kill them....I know that sounds harsh, but I can't think of a better way to say it.

 

[Teddscau]

Aren't you on the ball today . I'll have to ask the vet about the possibility of PDD or ABV. I've already dealt with a (limited) outbreak of AGY, so I better not have any other communicable diseases in my flock. Oh, and it turns out reverse trigger finger is a thing (in humans at least). I found a case report of a 79-year-old with reverse trigger finger, and they unfortunately included photos of the surgery. I mean, I'm fine with looking at graphic surgical photos and videos, but stuff with hands and fingers just freaks me out >_<.

 

[noodles123]

LOL- My computer crashed and I finally figured out my login so I am back in business lol! Glad you have a good idea of what can be spread among our feathered friends!

 

[Teddscau]

Yeah, don't worried, I know ALL the diseases to be paranoid about . I'm really hoping it's some sort of tendon thing, and not a stroke or tumour.

 

[Teddscau]

Rumi and Poppy died.

 

[ChristaNL]

:02: :17:

Ohnoes...



are you taking them for a post-mortem examination?
(Harsh to ask, I know, and I am sorry)


How are Ju, Lara, Trixie, Rainy, Comet, Alex, Starlight, Noah and Rosie doing?
.

 

[Teddscau]

I don't think I'll be taking them in. Poppy had an x-ray yesterday that came back normal. Well, I guess I could put Poppy's body in the fridge and drop it off tomorrow. When Mom brought her back from her x-ray yesterday (I was too upset about Rumi to go), she took a turn for the worse. I ended up spending four hours holding her, giving her millet and pedialyte every 15 minutes or so. She was quite perky when I put her back in her cage for bedtime, but I knew there was a good chance that she was feeling better because she was about to die. Anyways, she died during the night. I put her on her platform perch before she went to sleep and (carefully) directed the heater at her, so she got to fall asleep, wrapped in a gentle warmth. Neither of them appeared to have struggled before passing (no signs of seizures, either), so I think they died while sleeping.

The rest of the crew is doing fine. Well, they're going through a nasty looking moult at the moment. Their foreheads are filled with sore pinnies. Ju and Lara's cancers don't seem to be getting any worse, which is good. Trixie started plucking again after we removed her ingrown feathers, although I think she's letting her chest grow back in. Oh, and Comet's lost some weight (he's quite pudgy), which is exciting.

Noah and Rosie have been getting on my nerves, although a couple of weeks ago, Noah got his toe jammed in something, and ever since I rescued him (he scooped chunks of flesh out of my thumb while I was freeing him), he's been really sweet with me and has quit attacking me. A few months ago he started beating me up all the time, but I guess after helping him out I'm his hero now or something.