What's wrong with Ruby's legs??

[starling]

Hello! This is Flappy from the old forum (hi Barry!)

I'm a wee bit worried (understatement!) about my girl Ruby. We've all been quite amused with her lately as she seems to lie down flat on the perches to sleep. She's completely horizontal! (see pic). This morning though, I noticed she's not walking/climbing right. She seems to be tripping up on her feet and clambering about unsteadily.

Any ideas?

Attachments:

[starling]

Just found her on the floor. She's always been strong enough to fly back up to the cage?

[Marianne Marlow]

Sorry to hear this Starling. Do you think she could have hurt her leg?

[starling]

Thanks. I'm not sure. I've been away for 3 months (got back mid September) and my parents have been looking after them all. I'll ask them if anything happened when I was away. They never mentioned anything though.

Ruby has always kind of squatted when she sleeps, so that her feathers cover her feet. It's just the last couple of weeks she's been lying down. She's flat out on top of the cage at the moment She's been eating and drinking ok recently. Not sure what to do really.

[barrieshutt]

Often older birds will spend most of the day like this , its a slouch often adopted by the birds owners as we get older.

she does appear to be over weight , this would encourage her to slouch

Don't worry

[Ryan.W]

how old is she starling .

[starling]

I was worried she may have broken her leg (my last budgie did this) or was egg bound (but there's no swelling or anything).

I'm not sure wolfie.... Barrie?? (she's one of Barrie's birds!) I've had her 3 years now. Not sure how old she was when I got her.

I'm worried because it seems to be getting worse and now she's getting stranded on floor. I haven't seen her eat anything today either.

[barrieshutt]

Check her vent for cladding , this is another adopted position when there is liver problems.

[barrieshutt]

I would isolate her flappy and keep her warm

[budgiefriend]

Only good thoughts for you and Ruby. Keep us posted.

[barrieshutt]

Oct 12, 2011 14:19:10 GMT budgiefriend said:

Only good thoughts for you and Ruby. Keep us posted.

[starling]

Just got back from the vets. Ruby isn't using her left leg at all. The right leg grips my finger, but the left doesn't react and stays open. The vet said she could have some spinal nerve damage, which is probably permanent. She's given me some anti-inflammatories to give to Ruby for a week, just in case. If that doesn't work, I have to assess her quality of life...

Thanks for the advice and best wishes. I'll keep you all posted!

[barrieshutt]

Oct 12, 2011 15:11:20 GMT starling said:

Just got back from the vets. Ruby isn't using her left leg at all. The right leg grips my finger, but the left doesn't react and stays open. The vet said she could have some spinal nerve damage, which is probably permanent. She's given me some anti-inflammatories to give to Ruby for a week, just in case. If that doesn't work, I have to assess her quality of life...

Thanks for the advice and best wishes. I'll keep you all posted!

I have had this happen several times with hens laying eggs , the egg presses on a nerve and for several weeks they are lame

[Marianne Marlow]

Oh Starling, I'm really sorry to hear about the spinal nerve damage.

She may still be able to live an okay life with some cage adaptations?

[theswann]

Am so sorry to hear about Ruby I really hope the anti-inflammataries do the trick, have everything crossed for you and her