Apr 2, 2013 22:31:21 GMT
rockysmum
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Posts: 156
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Post by rockysmum on Apr 4, 2013 21:45:31 GMT
Hi all. Well I'm afraid I've only been on here a day and I need your help already guys. I was watching Rocky preening this evening and noticed that when he stretched out his left wing there was what looked like a small stripe of blood horizontally across it. It's not visible when his wing is closed but I've added some pics for you below. The one with his wing out (you can just see the blood high up his wing)is really bad quality I'm afraid as was only a quick snap with my iPhone! There are some other clearer ones with the wing closed. It doesn't seem to be bothering although he does seem to be climbing more and for a while was a bit reluctant to jump across to his swing. He has been flying well although only inside his cage (it's quite large)as I haven't had him a week yet so he hasn't been outside the cage. He does get into everything and is very active so maybe he's knocked it somehow? What do you think? Does this need further checking? I didn't want to manhandle him myself as didn't want to hurt his wing anymore if there is any damage.His breeder is quite local to me so I could ask them to check him for me but didn't want to bother him unnecessarily. I'm probabaly panicking over nothing but I'd thought I'd the people who will know best Thanks everyone x (He had just been preening in the picture above)x
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Post by stace on Apr 5, 2013 0:28:58 GMT
I can't see anything in those pics unfortunately. They are too blurry. He's likely damaged a feather somehow. The new feathers have a blood supply at the bottom of the quill.
They can bleed a lot if a blood feather is damaged. The wing is a likely point for this to happen. If you do see a lot of blood, you can stop the flow by putting some pressure on that point for a while and then putting cornstarch, flour or gluggy soap wax on it.
If he has damaged a blood feather somehow, it might be best to get it pulled out. If it's still in there and he bumps it, it might continue to bleed. This isn't hard, but you'd need to be confident about what you were doing.
If your breeder doesn't mind, give them a call. Watch how they handle and examine the bird, so you can learn how to do this yourself.
Damaged blood feathers are not a regular thing, but they can happen.
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Post by Hezz on Apr 5, 2013 1:01:16 GMT
As Stace has mentioned, he has probably knocked a blood feather. Blood feathers are the new feathers which still have a blood supply - new feathers coming through. These can be tender and sore - can make for grumpy budgies when they have gone through a moult and new feathers start to come through. He has more than likely knocked it on the cage or toys while flitting about. So easy to do.
I would talk to the breeder before deciding that the feather needs to be pulled. Pulling feathers can damage the follicle permanently, if done incorrectly.
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Apr 2, 2013 22:31:21 GMT
rockysmum
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Posts: 156
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Post by rockysmum on Apr 5, 2013 3:19:34 GMT
Thank you for the info. Can't be too bad as cant see anything unless he stretches his wing right out. I'll try and get hold of the breeder tomorrow and see what he thinks. Thanks again guys x
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Apr 2, 2013 22:31:21 GMT
rockysmum
Normal Violet
Posts: 156
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Post by rockysmum on Apr 6, 2013 11:47:40 GMT
Hi all See pics of Rocky above - he's looking a bit worse today. He's still eating but is now carrying the affected wing a little lower than the other and it seems to have a very slight shake in it like he's struggling to hold it in place. He was flying really well and I haven't seen him fly since Thursday afternoon, so it looks like maybe he's bumped it. I haven't seen him stretch it fully since early yesterday evening either. He is still eating at the moment but only if he climbs down to the bottom of his cage so I've been hand feeding him millet. Here's a coupple of pics - it's his left wing. I can't get hold of the breeder - does this look a trip to the vets is in order? I don't want to stress him out unless completely necessary as he's only a baby and I think the nearer avian vet to me is probably Bedford and a bit of trip for him. What do you think guys? x
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Post by mizloco on Apr 6, 2013 12:03:40 GMT
I would take him to the vets to be on the safe side.
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Apr 2, 2013 22:31:21 GMT
rockysmum
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Posts: 156
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Post by rockysmum on Apr 6, 2013 12:53:33 GMT
Hi Nina Yep, I reckon better safe than sorry, booked an appointment at Scott's in Bedford this afternoon. £47 fee and 2hr round trip but that's what you've gotta do for your pets isn't it only just had him a week and don't have a carrier yet, I guess a large shoe box will have to do. Ill let you know how it goes x
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Post by mizloco on Apr 6, 2013 13:05:03 GMT
Let us know how you get on
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Apr 2, 2013 22:31:21 GMT
rockysmum
Normal Violet
Posts: 156
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Post by rockysmum on Apr 6, 2013 20:42:59 GMT
Well we've had a nice grip out to Bedford. Pas at Scott Veterinary Clinic was lovely and he doesn't think Rocky has a fracture, maybe poss a tiny one somewhere. He could see that he was def carrying the wing funny but as he managed to fly a little around the consulting room Pas recommended we tried giving him Metacam for 5 days and see how how he goes. He did get himself under his wire base in his cage a few days after we got him and Pas thought he'd probably hurt it then.
If he doesn't improve may need to think about an x-ray but he was pretty optimistic he'll be ok as Rocky was very bright and friendly. he even sat on the vets finger quite happily and only got slightly irritated during his exam! He was certainly far less stressed than me about the whole thing, I was terrified it was going to be bad news as I'm so attached to the little guy already.
So he's home again and had his meds for today, will be keeping a close eye on him over the next few days but he does seem to have perked up a bit. Fingers crossed x
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Post by mizloco on Apr 6, 2013 20:53:18 GMT
Well done Rocky! I'm glad the trip went well. I thought of you as I was near Bedford today.
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Apr 2, 2013 22:31:21 GMT
rockysmum
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Posts: 156
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Post by rockysmum on Apr 6, 2013 21:02:34 GMT
Thanks Nina.
I thought Pas the vet was lovely too. Very helpful and took his time to explain everything and very gentle with Rocky. He said to call him straight away if he got any worse and to let him know how he's doing anyway. And the fee turned out to only be £22. Very reasonable, wouldn't have got the same knowledge and service from my local vet for that price!
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Post by mizloco on Apr 6, 2013 21:11:46 GMT
Is he an avian specialist?
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Apr 2, 2013 22:31:21 GMT
rockysmum
Normal Violet
Posts: 156
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Post by rockysmum on Apr 6, 2013 21:31:21 GMT
I think the other exotics vet Nat is the major avian specialist but he works with her, was head exotic vet at a hospital in Spain and specialises in exotics and wildlife. Not your average dog and cat guy certainly. I'm more of a horse and dog person normally so I'm no expert but I was very happy with him. I asked lots of questions, he was very patient and explained everything fully. Link to the page about them here: www.scottveterinaryclinic.co.uk/exotic-pets/I'll certainly be going back to them for any further problems. If I ever get a dog again I'd probably go to them too, even though 40 miles from home.
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Post by mizloco on Apr 6, 2013 21:34:29 GMT
That handy to know for my mum or even me, thanks.
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Post by stace on Apr 6, 2013 23:29:43 GMT
That's great news. Avian vets are well worth it. I don't really think they cost more, but you definitely get more bang for your buck. Normal vets are just like throwing your money away for nothing.
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