Mr Hibs' Claws

[Loz]

Morning, Afternoon & Good Evening wherever you are in the World!

Since my beloved Mr Hibs had his unidentified injury last year, he's been slightly lame in his right foot and I know it's never going to get better than it is now. He is able to use his foot for running, climbing, perching etc but the long forward-facing toe is definitely only semi-functional. He basically stands on the side of the toe as it appears to be rotated approximately 90deg.

In view of this, I have suspected that I will be responsible for keeping his claws trimmed, at least on the right foot. I will have to use a vet as I won't be able to clip them on my own. Can folks please look at the photo below and provide their opinion whether I need to book a clipping now, in the near future or in the longer term? Many thanks!

[ladybird]

I would think that Mr Hibs would probably be able to rotate his foot more to his left if the claw was shorter now, and he would be more comfortable. Just my opinion of course and I am no expert……

[Loz]

Thank you ladybird for the advice.
In the case of normal foot, you would be entirely correct.
Hibs is carrying an injury and his foot hasn't worked properly since then. Certainly, the rotated toe pre-dates his claw growing to that length. He cannot maintain the claw on that toe, the way he does the other claws.
The more I look at the pic, the more obvious it is that he needs a trim. If that can somehow rehabilitate his foot (I doubt it but one can hope) it's doubly worthwhile.

[ladybird]

Yes one of those things really, you won’t know until you try. 
Charlie sprained his foot last year, no idea how he did it , and he has never fully put his weight on that foot again.    Mr Hibs is in good hands.

[Loz]

Thanks Ladybird.

The vet who examined Mr Hibs was amazed that he had any use of his leg after she initially saw him.
So I'm grateful for what he's got.

[tweetiepiesmom]

It looks to me that he could use a little trim now. The vet will probably trim all his nails. Can you hold him? I wonder if a little massage on his foot would help - you might ask his vet?

[Loz]

Thanks TPM. I will be chatting to the vet when I get an appointment. She's an exotics not avian but she seems reasonably familiar with parrots.

I am not allowed to hold Mr Hibs, he has very clear rules about what is allowed and what isn't. As for people touching his feet, that is strictly verboten and in fact, grounds for vendetta. I dare not!

[tweetiepiesmom]

He sounds a bit like Tweetie Pie who'll try to rip your hand off if you grab him!

[Marianne Marlow]

I held Penny to try and get droppings off her vent feathers a couple of days ago and she gave me the hardest bite I have ever felt.

loz does he have a broken toe? Colin has one he can't seem to use and I have had many budgies with toe injuries come to me in the past. As long as they can use some toes on a foot they seem to be able to manage with grip ok.

But yes the nail looks a little long and might get caught on things, but it only needs a few milimetres off, really to make sure it's not jagged, they catch on things more than long ones.

Chipper and Billy or Colin (can't remember which) have a missing toenail.

Jul 30, 2022 17:00:40 GMT tweetiepiesmom said:

He sounds a bit like Tweetie Pie who'll try to rip your hand off if you grab him!

[Loz]

It's possible that Mr Hibs' toe is broken. How that links with the temporary paralysis of his right leg and how ill he had been at the time, I don't know.
He has got a very respectable bite!

[Marianne Marlow]

He could have injured it when his leg was paralysed as he couldn't feel it. I don't know really.

Jul 30, 2022 22:16:30 GMT loz said:

It's possible that Mr Hibs' toe is broken. How that links with the temporary paralysis of his right leg and how ill he had been at the time, I don't know.
He has got a very respectable bite!

[Hezz]

Ask yourself why you would trim. Is it a want or is it a need? Is it just because you think it is long and might hinder his mobility or is it because you have witnessed him having a problem with the claw getting caught or getting in the way of his ease of movement? Having that claw a bit longer may actually help him get some grip with that toe. I know the same applies with my disabled hen’s claws as she doesn’t have a lot of control over her feet.

If you do decide that trimming is the way to go, I suggest you learn to do it yourself as it usually ends up being a continuous process once trimming has begun. It would be a lot less stressful for Mr Hibs to be held by a person he knows for a few minutes once a month, once a year, whatever, than to be transported to and from and the visit itself, not to mention the hit to your hip pocket.

[Loz]

Thank you, Hezz that is food for thought.

When Mr Hibs' leg was more fully disabled I did observe that he used the claw, albeit a little shorter then, for hooking onto the bars. I think I need to closely observe how he uses that claw now.
I've not seen Hibs experience problems related to the length of claw - catching, etc - and he does still run around with ease and speed.

As for trimming the claw myself ... hmmm I will search out videos for advice and ideas on how to achieve that. I don't have an unlimited supply of cash now that I'm retired!

[Marianne Marlow]

I use very small nail clippers. If you hold him near a light you'll be able to see the quick. I cut off a tiny amount at a time to be safe.

[Loz]

I've watched some videos of two methods of trimming - sneakily whilst they perch on your finger or holding them in your hand. Either might work for Mr Hibs but the latter method is the only workable option for the others.
I'll see if I can steel myself but I will purchase styptic first. Better to have it and not need it.