Foot question

[rae]

Hey guys, sorry about this long post. I noticed a few days ago Basal was willingly giving me his right foot, no step up command needed. It appeared to me that it was sore and that's why he was so easily lifting it when I offered my finger. So I did the monster thing of having to catch him up and look at his feet. He, of course, didn't appreciate this, but I made sure to talk softly and give him treats after. He forgave me quickly I think. The bottom of his foot seemed more smooth in one place with a bright pink color (in comparison to the rest of the foot).

I feel awful as I think this is my fault. When he's out of his cage I have to close the door. I'm hoping he eventually gets used to being out and I can let him come and go as he pleases. But I think this happened because he hangs out on top of his cage and I didn't think about him just using the bars of the cage. Could this be the reason? The only plastic perching he has is a small feeder that I now don't leave in overnight.
He also has these perches (I am linking to amazon or other websites for picture purposes only)

www.amazon.com/JW-Pet-Company-080-31212-Insight/dp/B00RODSEZE

I didn't think about this one causing much issue because even though it's not textured it has varying diameter. This is the one he sleeps on most, though since I've taken the plastic feeder out he is either up before I am to uncover him or on a different perch by morning.


www.petco.com/product/10388/Macs-Creations-Natural-Wood-Perches.aspx CoreCat=LN_BirdSupplies_Parakeet_BirdCageAccessories

This runs along the cage in front of the food and water and has great texture.


www.naturalbirdco.co.uk/ourshop/prod_2757631-Forked-Perch-for-Mini-to-Small-Parrots.html

This is the closest picture to what he has for mid level of the cage. This doesn't go all the way across. The fork in the perch is about halfway up and has a smaller diameter. Since this doesn't have bark could it be harming his feet? He's almost never on the smaller diameter part of it.

He also has a swing that is uniform in diameter but he only gets on it if I put him there. Then he's singing and making it swing a little, but he doesn't hop on on his own yet.

Since I noticed this, when he's out of his cage, and since he prefers to hang out on his cage top, I put a towel on it. He was confused by this the first time. It's a very nice towel, though I'm not sure how to describe it. I'm not worried he will get his claws stuck in it because the fibers are very tight and small. OH says it doesn't soak up water and won't use it for drying off in the shower, so it's now Basal's. 
I plan to check his feet again in a few days but I wanted your informative opinions.
I don't think it is to the point of a vet visit but if I check and it's worse I will not hesitate. I'm not trying to get out of it if he needs a vet visit. But here was no broken skin and I don't think it had advanced very far.

[starlingqueen]

As long as you don't have sand sheets in the bottom of the cage and sanded perches it should be fine. He may have scratched it on something. I don't think the bars would cause it. Maybe put a bit of sudocreme or savlon (if you have that where you are) on the perch so he walks in it. It should clear up in a few days.

[Hezz]

I don't think any of those perches are going to cause him problems. And the odd plastic perch ..... well, most of us have little plastic swings with perches on them that the buds insist on sleeping on, and no one has had problems with sore feet because of it. I also don't think the bars would cause it, but if you were to put some sort of playgym on the top of the cage, this would give him somewhere to perch that might be better for his sore foot. Mine spend a lot of time on the top of their cage as well, but they are up and down, on and off their gym.

PS Sounds like a microfibre towel? They really are useless for drying anything.

[rae]

Hezz it might be a microfiber towel. It doesn't stick to dry skin though. I hate that feeling lol.
I'll return his plastic perch then. And keep an eye on his foot.
I want to get him a playgym for on top of his cage. First OH has to get a crown on his tooth. I'm not sure the point of dental insurance if a crown still costs $500+. The root canal covered only a portion. I believe we still had to pay $500+ for that part too.
I can't wait to start working again.

[rae]

starlingqueen I will look for those. I'm not sure if we have them or not but it's worth a look.

[Hezz]

rae, don't go out throwing things away just yet; if you have doubts over the plastic perch why not remove it for the time being and when all is better possibly give it to him week about? Of course untreated natural branch perches are the best, but I understand these are not available to everyone. The other thing to think about is that he may be a birdie who is going to have on-going problems with his feet - he may simply have more sensitive feet than the norm. If Basal is not a chronic chewer, are you able to get any cotton rope perches for him? If he is a chewer, forget the cotton perch; I am not sure sisal rope would be any softer on his feet either, but you could try wrapping his main perch with a bandage to give it a softer feel. None of these may be necessary, but I am thinking of what you can do to prevent this turning into a long miserable drawn-out affair, for both you and Basal.

[rae]

Hezz no no I meant I would return the perch to his cage full time. I had been removing it in case he was sleeping on it and that was the problem.
I was just looking at some rope perching. I don't know yet if he is a chewer. He hasn't touched anything chewable, but since he is such a timid bird that isn't to say he's not a chewer.
He's still opening up to us. Because it's finals week I don't have class every day and get to spend a lot more time with him. It's like a vacation for me. But back at it soon, next week I will be in the lab and starting my internship. I'm definitely resting up. And enjoying Basal.

[Hezz]

I can understand; he is still getting to know you, and you him. I think all the more reason to try to get on top sooner rather than wait until something more sinister has arisen. Good luck and enjoy your "holiday".