Please we need advice (Fido’s foot and general health)

[lemonora]

In general:
Fido is around 5 years old, he’s living With his brother Luka for the past 3 years (who is bullying him), they’re out of their cages for most of the day but each of them has his own cage, 
Fido has a liver issue and we cut his beak every few weeks, he’s on ACV & MT 
He eats lots of vegetables (daily),  he had one episode 4 months ago (like a seizure where his leg froze) but nothing since, his poops are usually a little watery when he’s awake (drinks water) but sometimes when he’s sleeping they clump up into a big hard piece that falls off the next day, not sure if it’s normal but this happens often, 
recently we realized that his beak under his cere is a bit darker, is that normal? Mutation ?
I attached photos taken last week and new ones taken yesterday with his injured foot, 
he’s not stepping on it, we don’t know what happened, it’s not swollen or red or anything, it looks normal, but this morning it’s a bit worse he’s not using it at all
they never had a real aggressive fight ever, so I really don’t think it’s Luka, but we don’t know how to help him, please any kind of input would be greatly appreciated.
we live in Saudi Arabia (no avian vets) and birds are at the bottom of their list, once a vet couldn’t tell if the bird was a lovebird or a budgie 

We would appreciate any kind of help

[lemonora]

Ohh and he’s eating and chirping today but just not using the foot

[ladybird]

He doesn’t look at all well to me and seems to be breathing very heavily, my opinion is that he looks in pain.   I am not an expert and hopefully someone will be along soon to give you some good advice…..but for for now I don’t think you should let him out of his cage….just keep him warm and quiet……..I hope you get some help soon, I am worried for him……..

[lemonora]

Will do
Thanks dear for your fast reply and input
We really are very worried about him too
Will keep you posted

[ladybird]

Do you have no vets at all, at least you could get hold of some pain relief for him?

[lemonora]

Feb 19, 2023 12:35:43 GMT ladybird said:

Do you have no vets at all, at least you could get hold of some pain relief for him?

Sadly not good ones, the last one gave him more than 4 medicines all at once 
but we are looking hopefully we find a good one 
and ohhh in the gif I posted where he seemed out of breath 
he actually was running away from his brother so it wasn’t serious or unusual
and he’s able to scratch his head with it (now)

[tweetiepiesmom]

If you hold him and put your finger tip in his foot, does he grab hold of it or not react to your touch? There could be a number of things causing it and unfortunately only a vet could tell what's wrong. So unfortunate you don't have a good vet near-by. More experienced members may be able to offer other suggestions. Perhaps you could use Google to locate an avian vet who would use Zoom or videos and phone to help you.

[lemonora]

We didn’t try the finger tip thing
We will try it
I tried finding many online but it usually ends the same way so far they ask for money and you’re not even sure he’s a real vet
it’s sad and frustrating

[Hezz]

TPM suggestion regarding getting him to sit on your finger can tell you a lot - whether the toes work properly, whether he can grip with that foot, use it if he has to but just prefers not no, it can tell you whether the foot is hot to touch (possible inflammation), or cold (possible loss of circulation). Keeping a budgie contained with a sore leg is hard. Often they will just climb up the bars and hang off if you move all perches down low and contain to a small cage, but it is worth trying. If he isn’t having balance issues that is good, but still worth moving perches down so that he doesn’t land heavily if he does fall.

Get some cayenne pepper powder, moisten a pinch and make a ball out of it and pop it into his mouth, under the tongue if you can. You can also add it to his water but it is inclined to settle out so will need to stir his water a few times over the course of the day. Cayenne pepper is a natural pain reliever, and may help him feel better.

[lemonora]

Thank you Hezz
Such great information we really appreciate it❤️
I will tel him to do what you said and keep you posted
He seems to be getting better and able to stand on it better
But he does seem in pain
We were wondering if it’s possible to sprinkle the cayenne pepper on his seeds? There’s a bigger chance for him to actually consume it
What do you think? Would that work?

In general Fido hates being held and gets extremely stressed (beak trim every few weeks) so we try to avoid holding him as much as possible to keep him calm

[Hezz]

You can try sprinkling the pepper onto his seed, but make sure he eats; you don’t want him starving himself. If he has a favourite fresh food, it may stick better to that rather than the seed.

[lemonora]

Thanks Hezz
I will tell him to try as you said

[lemonora]

This is a recent picture of Fido, he was falling asleep 
He’s still holding up his foot sometimes but he’s so much better (eating, chirping, and moving around) he walks on it most of the time
He seems to be getting much better maybe it was just a result of a fall or something and is hopefully healing.
Today was the first time we let him out since he got sick, but not at the same time with Luka , he’s still bullying him so we don’t want to stress him, but he keeps going next to him and kissing each other, it’s really sad and we don’t know what to do.

I wanted to ask if we should give him a multivitamin? Or maybe we shouldn’t so it doesn’t put pressure on his liver?
I found this, what do you think?
He’s on (Milk thistle and ACV) and fresh vegetables daily
You input would be greatly appreciated

[lemonora]

Found this one too
Anyone familiar with either of them?

[Hezz]

They are not products that are found where I am, and I don’t use a multi Vit, but the little I’ve read suggests that vitamin supplements can put added pressure on the liver’s function, so if this was my bird, I wouldn’t.

The black on his beak may also be liver disease related - “bruising” is not uncommon on the beak and the claws.