What a long day

[Owlet]

So I scheduled an appointment with a local avian rescue to get Lincoln's beak trimmed. They do this grooming event every now and again as a sort of fundraiser for the rescue and they have a licensed vet do it. Anyways, i thought it'd be nice because Lincoln needs his beak trimmed and I can support the rescue too so it seemed like a good idea. Only problem was it was an hours drive to the rescue HQ. I'm a good driver but I'm relatively anxious about driving especially when going somewhere I've never been. I had a friend come with me so it was fine for the most part but then Google maps started freaking out and we didn't know what to do so eventually we found a place to pull over and fix it. Everything was good and we went back to finding our way there and like all the streets encircling the building were closed and we couldn't get to it and it was really confusing but we finally managed somehow. Getting home went a lot better.

So we got home and things were good and we were watching movies and stuff and I went up to feed my hedgehog and there were splotches of blood allll over Lincoln's cage. I quickly looked him all over and somehow he had cut his foot. It was a relatively small cut but I guess it bled a lot. By the time I had gone up there it seems the bleeding had stopped so I did my best to clean his foot and clean the cage. He was reacting well and eating and everything so I believe he's fine. I put some gauze and medical tape around his favorite perch that he usually sleeps on so he had something soft and clean to perch on. I've been checking on him periodically since and it doesn't seem like anything has changed or the cut has started bleeding again. I believe he will be fine but I'll be keeping an eye on his foot for any signs of infection or anything and bring him to the vet asap if anything changes.

As for how it may of happened I have no idea. There's nothing sharp in his cage that could have caused it so I I'm just not sure. I'll have to keep an eye out.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Wow doesn't Lincoln look good? What a difference with his beak.

There is probably something quite small but sharp in his cage, be it a toy, perch or part of or even a small piece of his cage. Keep an eye out. Does the places there was blood give any clues?

 

[Owlet]

Nope, the primary suspect, a new perch I had gotten him, didn't have any blood on it. I took out the empty dish holders too since they had a fair amount of blood on them but he climbs around on them a lot and we've never had a problem with it.

 

[Owlet]

Just went to check on him and it looks like he opened the cut again :/ not as much blood as last night but still a fair amount. I think I might look into setting up a vet appointment because I'm really not sure what to do at this point because I think he's picking at it. Once my friend wakes up I'll try to get a picture of the foot itself. He seems to be walking on it a lot better than last night, last night he was putting all his weight on the other foot.

 

[Flboy]

Do any of your toys have an unscrewed on them?

 

[Owlet]

Nope I'm pretty good about keeping things screwed. And even then I dont think it'd be able to cause a cut like this.

 

[Owlet]

So I am pretty sure he's picking at it and I want to take him to the vet but the clinic doesn't open on Sundays and I'm not sure if this would qualify as an emergency.

Any tips on keeping it clean and getting him to not pick?

 

[Flboy]

FYI, Google Maps,? Dump it! Search for Waze, fantastic!

 

[Owlet]

Never heard of waze but I'll check it out.

 

[Owlet]

It started bleeding again so my mom and I did our best to wrap it with gauze and medical bandages. It was a bit of a struggle and he got in some good nips but we were somewhat successful, it's probably not going to last long but its the best we can do for now. He's not very happy and wont step up but I don't blame him.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Geeez poor Lincoln...:15: and what really sucks is..the poor guy doesn't really understand that every thing you are doing is for his own good and benefit/health!

STOP PICKING AT YOUR WOUND LINCOLN!!!

There...you think that helped???


Jim

 

[Owlet]

He took off the bandage but I've been watching him and he hasn't started picking again. I'm really so unsure of what to do. The last time it opened he didn't even pick it at it just split open again while I had him out on my hand. So I'm worried about it constantly re-opening when he moves about...

I can't get a picture of it and it's hard to tell how deep / big it is but it'd be located around here. I'm worried that simple actions like just stretching out his toes will re-open it and I'm just at a loss as to what to do. My mom suggests some sort of glue that they use for this kind of stuff forget the exact name but I'm worried about him ingesting it so we're probably just going to wait until tomorrow and then call the vet to see what they say and go from there :/

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Unfortunately..I think that's the only thing you CAN do......wait til tomorrow.
It's going to be a stressful night for all concerned I imagine..sorry..
I wish I had an idea..a "collar" around his neck? I'm sure Lincoln wouldn't groove on that idea!

PLEASE let us know what his doc says/does!
Thoughts and prayers for you and your little boy..from me,and Amy,and The Beebs.


Jim

 

[Owlet]

I worry about a collar that would make it so he cant pick at his foot, because then how would he get food and water? I can't really take anymore time off school to stay home and hand feed him... I wonder if they'd let me take him to school >> he's a good birdy.

 

[wrench13]

Oh poor Lincoln, who is one of my favorite ekkis on here. He is probably picking at it because it hurts! Do you have a topical numbing agent that is bird safe? Anyone know of something that could be purchased locally that would helP? Hang in the Lincoln, help is on its way!

 

[Owlet]

I'm not sure, I'm really scared of putting anything on it without talking to a vet first.. He seems a bit happier now and comes over to see me and such but he's still wary about stepping up.

 

[chris-md]

I'm sorry you're going through this.

Get to a petsmart or other such store/grooming location and get styptic powder. That should help seal the wound. Try keeping him off rough surfaces - towel lined travel cage maybe. Minimize movement and exposure to rough surfaces that can run it open again.

This powder is used often to stop bleeding when dog/cat/bird nails are cut too short. They sell similar stuff for men if they nick themselves shaving.

 

[Owlet]

The bleeding stops relatively quickly one its own, but I'll go out and get some.

 

[Owlet]

Petsmart is closed so I can't get any of the powder which is really frustrating because the wound re-opened yet again. We're on #3. I've moved him into his carrier with a towel on the bottom and such so everything except the sides of the cage are soft to hopefully limit anymore damage.

 

[chris-md]

If you can't get the powder, the next best thing is cornstarch, followed by flour.