Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 3/17/2008

Question
Look I know that this doesn't cover this subject,but my parakeet got stuck in some fabric and we think she broke her toe nails. She's out now,but her foot is covered in blood. We put some medicine on it, but we don't know what to do.Please please please help us!!!!!

Answer
Hi, Mewmall,

For some reason, the person you sent your original post to cannot answer your question(s).  Please tell me who you sent your original post to.

Make sure the bleeding has stopped and then allow your bird to settle down for a while.  To stop bleeding, use baking flour or Quik Stop...pack the location of the bleeding and use some pressure if necessary to stop bleeding just like you would if you had a cut that was bleeding (use gentle, but firm pressure so the bleeding will stop).  Once your bird has settled down some (the initial shock of the accident has passed), use some Q-tips, a cotton ball or other soaked with warm water to remove the blood.  Examine the bird's foot/toes to see exactly what has happened.  You want to look to see if the toenails have actually pulled out from the toes or if the toenails have been broken off too far down.  Obviously, the main vein in the nails has been exposed since there is blood, so the toenails have broken down too far, but what you want to see is if the toenails themselves have broken off where the nail connects to the skin/toe or if the nails have broken off.  The urgency here is to get the bleeding stopped.  Watch so that the bleeding doesn't start again.  It may start again when the bird starts moving around.  Use baking flour/pressure each time bleeding starts again.  Keets don't have that much blood in their entire bodies, so it's very important to stop any bleeding and keep bleeding stopped.

Regardless, the toenails should grow back eventually, as long as the nail quick itself hasn't been damaged.  It may take months, but they will grow back.  Your bird's toes will be sore and hurt for a few days to a week, so be aware of this.  Your bird may hold its leg(s) up and/or may actually lay down if several toes are affected.  You may have to provide a soft, clean area for your bird to lay down on.  Your bird may also not want to eat/drink for a couple of days and this would be normal with this type of accident and due to the stress.  You need to watch out for shock, as shock can kill a bird real quick.  Keep your bird warm enough through this ordeal.  It isn't a good idea to use antibiotic cream or lotion on wounds like this because the bird may ingest.  You can use something like Betadine to cleanse the would.  Keep items in the birds cage clean, the cage cleaned out, etc., so the bird doesn't get an infection on the open areas until they heal.  Depending on the extent of the injury(ies), you may have to pad items inside the cage so your keet can get around until healed.  If in doubt about any of this, consult a certified avian vet.  

Please keep your keets' nails trimmed down in order to prevent accidents like this.

Chrys