Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 12/8/2006

Question
Unfortunately, as I let my pet parakeets have free roam of my house, last week someone inadvertantly stepped on my parakeets leg... he was in extreme pain; I comforted him and as I saw it was not getting better (originally I thought the leg was just scrapped badly, as it was bleeding; I cleaned it) I realized something more serious happened. I took him to a friend, a vet, who admitted that he knowledge of parakeets was not vast as he was not an avian vet.  He felt the leg and said the joint was probably broken.  He taped it up and said it hoped it would work.  It is now a week later, and thankfully the bird has not pulled of the tape, though he tries, he still does not use the leg at all.  He cant even curl his toes... it just lays there.  He was very depressed in the beginning, but now he getting back to his sweet personality.  Is there anything else I can do?  What are the chances he will regain use of the leg?  I appreciate your input.  Thank you  

Answer
Hi, Mirel.  Thanks for posting!

There's nothing you can really do except help your bird to be comfortable during his healing process.  This might mean making some temporary adjustments in his cage so he can maneuver around better.  Hopefully, you have him confined to his cage while he's healing.  

I don't know what his chances are since I have no idea if the leg was really broken and how it's healing.  If it doesn't heal properly, he may never be able to use his leg again.  A week isn't long enough for a broken bone to mend.  You really need to have your keet seen by an avian veterinarian who can take an X-ray to see if the bone is healing (or what is going on).  If blood supply has been cut off, the leg/foot will turn black and eventually fall off.  Another reason for an avian vet visit.

I hope all turns out OK for your keet.

Chrys