Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/15/2010

Question
Found and have been working on rehabilitating an older juvenile crow past 2 weeks - was probably starving when found (far beyond wobbly - not able to stand or feed self) but after lots of wet food and bugs is doing very well now. Tonight I noticed that his left upper thigh is twice the size of the other; puffy to the point that it feels like bubbles popping when you run a finger over the muscle. I've cared for a number of birds in my life and have never seen this before. Suggestions on how to treat? Thanks! Liz

Answer
Well, I'm not a vet, but it sounds like an infection, if it is actually air, in which case antibiotics are needed. Another possibility is that it is fluid, in which case it might resolve itself. Juvenile birds need vitamins as they grow rapidly, and a lack of vitamin D will lead to a rickets-like condition and this condition could be a result of inadequate nutrition. In both cases, you can drain the fluid or air with a hypodermic needle, but that doesn't treat the underlying cause. I suggest a vet and x-rays to determine what to do, if your budget allows it. Again, I'm not a vet, so I'm just making educated guesses. Good luck. And let me know the eventual outcome, if you would.