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Birds--General/i think my birds leg is broke HELP

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Expert: - 7/15/2008


Question
She is holding her left leg up and when she tries to fly she cannot put her weight on it. It is curled at the bottom and she cannot feel when you touch it. Will my bird need surgical help? If so, how much will it cost? Please get back to me as soon as possible this is urgent.

Answer
Hi, Kristen,

I picked up your question from the question pool this morning.

Any time you have an emergency situation, you need to call a certified avian veterinarian, not post to a website.  

It doesn't sound to me like your bird's leg is broken.  A broken leg will just hang/dangle from where the break is...your bird would have no control over it at all.  Since your bird is able to bring its leg up, I think your bird may have injured itself somehow based on your post, but not broken its leg.  Have you held your bird and taken a good look at the leg in order to see if there is an injury or anything?  Birds, especially small birds, can pull muscles/tendons, etc., in the legs and shoulders on things inside their cage, such as toys if they get their nail, leg, toe stuck, dishes, etc.  The leg can remain sore for a week or longer, depending on the extent of the injury.  However, if you are still concerned, I recommend you consult a certified avian veterinarian.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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