Luee - injury

[birdguhl]

I have just had to chase Luee to give him his last dose of antibiotic.

He pecked me really hard in the process and when I noticed blood on my fingers I thought it was mine.

But - no - it was his! Poor Luee - I'm so sorry.

I kept hold of him with a tissue until I was sure it had stopped bleeding.

Does this look like a broken blood feather? There isn't a broken feather in the cage. I'm really hoping it isn't anything worse.

[mizloco]

Oh no you must be so upset. Poor Luee too. One of the experts will be on soon hopefully to advise. Hope your both ok.

[rockysmum]

Poor Luee, these things happen though, you mustn't blame yourself.

Hopefully someone will be on soon who can help x

[Hezz]

Looks like it to me, but don't worry too much about it. The bleeding had stopped, that's the main thing. It could have happened before you caught him up, you can't be sure it was your fault, and it can happen so easily it is a wonder we don't have them happen all the time.

Some opinions state that they should be pulled once they have been bleeding, as it leaves the follicle open to infection, but I have never been sure about the logic behind this. But I would keep an eye on it for the next few days to make sure it is fine. Which involves more holding him, possibly more bites! Ouch!

[birdguhl]

Thanks for words of comfort, all. We all do so much to try to make our birdies happy it is horrible to feel that you may have directly harmed one.

Hezz, this is helpful. I'll keep an eye out. He was moving about as usual and eating afterwards. He seems normal this morning too.

When I took Berry to the vet six months ago a blood feather got broken in the process of catching him and she just held a tissue on it til it stopped bleeding and didn't do anything further about it. This helped with knowing what had probably happened and what to do.

[Hezz]

Great, so you had already been there, done that. As long as the bleeding stops quickly, it shouldn't interfere with his well-being.