Sore on my budgie's foot

[mintysowner]

Hi!

Does anyone have any idea what this sore could be on my budgies foot? He hasn't had use of this claw for the past three years or so but gets around fine, he is eating and drinking fine I just noticed it was sore and inflamed today. I had some advice from a local budgie place who said it would probably cause him more stress trying to get him to an avian vet which is about an hour away.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks

[samwiseg]

Hi and welcome!

First thing I noticed from your pictures you have sand sheets on the cage floor - does she use the cage floor at all as this would cause her a lot of discomfort for her feet. Most of the members on here just use newspaper (lot cheaper too).

What sort of perches does she have?

[mintysowner]

Apr 10, 2014 20:27:12 GMT samwiseg said:

Hi and welcome!

First thing I noticed from your pictures you have sand sheets on the cage floor - does she use the cage floor at all as this would cause her a lot of discomfort for her feet. Most of the members on here just use newspaper (lot cheaper too).

What sort of perches does she have?

Hello

Yes he (she.. I thought she was a he for years so can't bring myself to call her a she still ) does potter along the bottom very occasionally. His perches are like the ones in this cage (which he actually has) www.ferplast.com/en/shop/bird-accessories/rekord-3

Obviously I'm just concerned it will get infected we're unsure why he lost grip and use of that claw but he can get around fine.

Thanks for replying!

[mintysowner]

Oh and I will definitely swap the sand sheets for newspaper right away!

[samwiseg]

Thats great!

Would advise to use smooth dowling perches you can purchase these from your local B&Q (UK) or hardware store (if you are not in uk) diameter 12mm.

What is your bud's name? Is she tame? If so if you can place savlon on your finger and then get her to sit on it that would prove beneficial

She is very pretty

[samwiseg]

Furthermore, the savlon is only a stop gap, would get her to a vet just to check she hasn't got any real major tissue damage

[mintysowner]

Thanks a lot, you know where I'll be this weekend then - B&Q He's called Minty he doesn't particularly like being held anymore since he has aged, but I can definitely get some savlon on there for the time being. Would a local vets be able to assess him or are they going to be useless when it comes to budgies? And what is the best way to transport him there, in his cage with a towel over the top of it? As he does get stressed coming out unless it's of his own accord. Thank you for your help

[samwiseg]

It would be better if you are able to find her an avian vet but a lot of us here don't have these around as they seem low in number.

But if you haven't don't worry take her to an ordinary vet as they may prescribe antibiotics just in case so if there is any infection it can be treated.

Good luck and let us know how you get on at the vets. ..oh and B&Q

[starlingqueen]

I use Sudocrem, it works wonders and is stickier than savlon so stays on longer. Also, put the cream on her perches so she has to walk in it. Someone on here gave me that idea, Saves you having to catch her.

[mintysowner]

Apr 10, 2014 20:39:16 GMT samwiseg said:

Thats great!

Would advise to use smooth dowling perches you can purchase these from your local B&Q (UK) or hardware store (if you are not in uk) diameter 12mm.

What is your bud's name? Is she tame? If so if you can place savlon on your finger and then get her to sit on it that would prove beneficial

She is very pretty

Samwiseg is it definitely ok to use dowling perches as I just came across this on the PDSA website (want to make sure I am getting the right ones)

'It’s important to choose the right type of budgie perch. Those with a smooth, tube-like surface (such as the wooden dowelling sold with many bird cages) are unsuitable and can lead to poor foot health. Perches covered with sandpaper are also unsuitable and can cause abrasions of the feet.'

[starlingqueen]

The best perches are natural tree branches from suitable trees. Lots of people use willow, I have apple tree, willow and cob nut branches.

[Hezz]

While Minty's foot is as sore as it is - it looks like bumblefoot to me - the smooth perches are fine. Another idea to use if possible is to wrap the dowelling in soft cloth, not something she can get claws caught in, so not towelling, but something soft, or get her some cotton rope perches for the time being. This will give her relief from the hardness of the timber.

For future reference, never ever use sand sheets or perches as this, bumblefoot, is often the outcome. If she has natural branch perches in future, once the foot heals, these should be enough to keep her claws filed down to a respectable length.

[mintysowner]

Thanks for all of your useful replies He also is in love with his plastic ladder which he spends A LOT of time on which I am guessing probably isn't helping either as it's plastic, will have to get rid of that I will get some rope perches and once it hopefully starts to heal some natural wood ones. I have noticed his nails are quite long so obviously the natural branch perches would help this. One question though, with the natural branch perches how do I get them to stay in within the bars of the cage, will they stay alright just really pushed through? (sounds a stupid question when I write it down ) thanks again.

[mintysowner]

I've covered his perches in soft kitchen roll until I can get to my local bird shop, but he won't go anywhere near the perches now.. and is hanging off the bars (he likes to do this anyway), but since he has obviously hurt the sore as there was blood everywhere. It's stopped bleeding now but I am concerned hoping I can get him into the vets first thing tomorrow morning as I can't this afternoon as I have a hospital appt myself. Should I take the toweling off the perches as he seems to be tiring himself out moving around the cage on the bars because he isn't keen on the 'new' perches?

Edited to say: None of the vets working at the weekend have experience of budgies so the earliest I can get him in is Monday evening

[starlingqueen]

I would just take her to any vet. Foot problems are common in lots of animals and any help has got to be better than none at all. It's not a bird only thing like say a respiratory problem. Maybe take the paper towel off one perch so she can sit and get used to the others.