Budgie Hurt, Inflamed Feet. What is it and what can be done?

[mrmags]

Our dear 8 yr. old Mr. Mags has developed a strange redness and inflammation of the feet. He has been on antibiotic for over a week and it only seems to be getting worse. Our vet changed the meds and it still doesn't appear to be helping. Nobody seems to know what exactly is going on. Below is a picture, is anyone here familiar with this or know what it might be and what can be done? It clearly hurts her greatly, so much she fell off this morning when let out of the cage.

[rio13]

So sorry to hear Mr Mags isn't doing well. I'm sorry I'm unable to offer any useful advice, hopefully someone that can will be along soon. I can't see the photo too well since I'm on my phone, but have you considered bumble foot? Here's some info. Hope you see some improvement soon!

www.beautyofbirds.com/bumblefoot.html

[OP]

Sorry that I am not able to say for definite, but it sure looks like bumblefoot. I'm a little surprised your vet hasn't diagnosed that, unless the vet is not an avian vet. However we do have members who will be able to advise better than I can and they will be along shortly. In the mean time welcome to the forum.

[Hezz]

It certainly looks like bumblefoot - do you use sand sheets or perches in Mr Mags' cage? This is the usual reason why birds develop bumblefoot. Even concrete perches can be a problem. We really need more info, poor little thing. In the meantime, wrap the perches in soft cloth that he/she cannot get the claws caught in; put some savlon or sudacream onto the sores ....... we have had a few members lately who have gone through this, so look through the threads and you might find some good ideas on how to treat.

[mrmags]

Thanks a bundle for the suggestions and kind words. Reading on this "bumblefoot" will be on the list for the rest of the day. The vet was recommended as "avian familiar"; it was only on one leg when she checked-in so she favoured likely a sprain or possibly the start of gout and said to keep an eye out. In one week it has become a different story.

Other than one of our others having an ingrown feather infection a few years ago of which she subsequently lost the ability to fly (she gets around fantastic with ladders!) they (currently 3) have been fairly low maintenance family members and seeking out professional help not really an issue.

Now to nip bumblefoot in the bud.

[holten]

Aug 3, 2015 8:06:04 GMT Hezz said:

It certainly looks like bumblefoot - do you use sand sheets or perches in Mr Mags' cage? This is the usual reason why birds develop bumblefoot. Even concrete perches can be a problem. We really need more info, poor little thing. In the meantime, wrap the perches in soft cloth that he/she cannot get the claws caught in; put some savlon or sudacream onto the sores ....... we have had a few members lately who have gone through this, so look through the threads and you might find some good ideas on how to treat.

Are the sand perches bad for budgies? i bought one for my new budgies 'cuz i noticed in every budgie video they had some type of concrete perch, but i could only find a sand perch for mines, will this cause them to hurt their feet?
This is the one i have for mines:



mrmags im sorry bout your budgie, poor girl, i hope she gets better 

[milliej]

Poor MrMags, I'm afraid I have very little faith in vets!(for various reasons) sorry!

Natural wooden perches of different sizes are recommended more like they'd have in the great outdoors - or natural habitat.
Like these : www.naturalbirdco.co.uk/ourshop/cat_523263-Natural-Wood-Perches.html

[rio13]

Hope Mr Mags recovery is quick. Please keep us updated!

Sandpaper perches are usually unecessary as budgies with no related health problems don't require regular nail grooming. They are generally very rough and can cause cuts and abrasions. I use a mixture of rope and natural wood perches.

[mintysowner]

Poor bud, when Minty had bumblefoot he only had it on one foot but it was quite bad and a very bad sore, savlon cream really helped his heal, also changing his perches to proper wooden ones from the bird company helped it heal as well. Maybe you could try applying some savlon too?

[mintysowner]

holten yes I'd remove them they can hurt your budgies feet - natural wooden perches in different sizes are best for their little feet don't worry - we have all been there, I didn't know half the stuff until I joined this forum

[mintysowner]

Just found the thread of when minty had a bad foot, his healed up completely with the savlon

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/8475/sore-on-budgies-foot

[holten]

Aug 3, 2015 23:34:58 GMT mintysowner said:

holten yes I'd remove them they can hurt your budgies feet - natural wooden perches in different sizes are best for their little feet don't worry - we have all been there, I didn't know half the stuff until I joined this forum

I removed it since i saw the post, thanks and yea im still learning thats why i thought i check all kind of post about them and good thing i clicked on this one 

[Hezz]

Aug 3, 2015 20:23:39 GMT holten said:

Aug 3, 2015 8:06:04 GMT Hezz said:

It certainly looks like bumblefoot - do you use sand sheets or perches in Mr Mags' cage? This is the usual reason why birds develop bumblefoot. Even concrete perches can be a problem. We really need more info, poor little thing. In the meantime, wrap the perches in soft cloth that he/she cannot get the claws caught in; put some savlon or sudacream onto the sores ....... we have had a few members lately who have gone through this, so look through the threads and you might find some good ideas on how to treat.

Are the sand perches bad for budgies? i bought one for my new budgies 'cuz i noticed in every budgie video they had some type of concrete perch, but i could only find a sand perch for mines, will this cause them to hurt their feet?
This is the one i have for mines:



mrmags im sorry bout your budgie, poor girl, i hope she gets better 

The best perches you can provide your birds with are natural tree branches. If you have any decent trees in your back yard, if you have one, of course, check through a few sites on line for budgie-safe trees and compare for continuity. But two that seem freely available in UK are apple and willow, if that is of any help.

[holten]

Aug 4, 2015 0:38:29 GMT Hezz said:

Aug 3, 2015 20:23:39 GMT holten said:

Are the sand perches bad for budgies? i bought one for my new budgies 'cuz i noticed in every budgie video they had some type of concrete perch, but i could only find a sand perch for mines, will this cause them to hurt their feet?
This is the one i have for mines:



mrmags im sorry bout your budgie, poor girl, i hope she gets better 

The best perches you can provide your birds with are natural tree branches. If you have any decent trees in your back yard, if you have one, of course, check through a few sites on line for budgie-safe trees and compare for continuity. But two that seem freely available in UK are apple and willow, if that is of any help.

I just have a bitter orange tree... would that be safe? and how should i treat the wood before using it?

[mrmags]

mintysowner How long did it take for your budge to recover? Had difficulty finding timelines on recovery.


Update: Mr. Mags didn't fair so well. He is now an ex-budgie. Strong till the end though, he must be over 8 years old, possibly up to 10. It was my step-fathers bird originally and he's no longer around to ask for the exact date, they are likely having a great time catching up right now

The feet went from the alarming redness in the above picture to some horrific state of bubbles and bursts in one night! It looked like someone had dunked them in boiling water. Very glad he isn't feeling pain. Wish we would have posted here and found you folk right away.

@millij What a great budgie perch link! So many ideas. Yappy and The Beeb (or other two birds) are suspicious of environmental changes already :-)