Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 12/28/2006

Question
Hi there,
Just wondering if you received my pictures of my parakeet's feet.

Thanks again
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello,
I have a parakeet that is about 5 years ago.  The bird has white lumps on both of its legs and has had these for 2 months.  The bird first appeared to have hurt his leg and the tumors have appeared and she has had them for about 1 month.  We are so worried.  I took her to the vet 2 months ago and the bird went into shock and the vet was no help to us. Do you have any insight on this or can you give me some more information.  I have a picture and can also send it to you about the lumps.

Thanks so much for any help you can give us.  It is my daughter's bird and we don't want to lose our special friend.
Lynda
-----Answer-----
Hi, Lynda.  Thanks for posting!

Did you take this bird to a certified avian vet?  Did the vet tell you these were tumors or how do you know these are tumors (versus scaly face mites who have buried under the skin)?  I need more details from you about this situation to see if I can be of any help.  You could try sending pictures to me at:  ripleybird@netzero.com.  

Chrys

Answer
Hi again, Lynda.

My reference material/books show only 2-3 possibilities for what might be ailing your keet.  Bumblefoot, which I don't believe is the problem because bumblefoot usually affects only the balls of a bird's feet, and gout, which this could be.  Gout affects budgies/keets primarily and is caused by kidney problems.  The lump I see in the picture you sent could be a swelling associated with gout.  One of my books states there is no effective treatment for this and a bird will normally become crippled and lame.  However, this reference book could be dated and some type of treatment might be available.  This lump could also indicate infection in the legs/feet for some reason...the lump could be pus (a bird's form of pus, which is a white, cheesy-like substance).  Does this describe the white lump I see?  In order to determine what is wrong with your keet's feet, you need to seek evaluation from a certified avian veterinarian, who should scrape some areas off your bird's feet for examination under a microscope in order to determine if it's a bacterial, viral, or fungal problem or gout (or other).  I realize you have already been to a vet who did not help, but I question whether this vet was a certified avian vet, as this person didn't seem to do what should have been done.  If you need help locating an avian vet in your area, let me know.

Chrys
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Hi, Lynda.

Thanks for the picture of your parakeet.  I've never seen anything like this before, but I'm looking through my reference books/material to see what I can find out.  It might be bumblefoot or perhaps gout, but let me do a little more research and I'll get back to you in a day or so.  In the meantime, I think it would be wise to soak your keet's feet in warm water with perhaps epsom salts (as long as there are no open sores) several times per day.  If you don't have epsom salts, use something like hydrogen peroxide or Betadine mixed in the water.  Need to ensure no bacteria or other germs invade the feet/skin.  I see a scab on the bottom of one of the feet, so the soaking should help that.  Also, keep your keet's feet clean by ensuring the perches and cage are kept clean 24/7.    

Chrys

Please tell me what kind of diet your bird is on.  Do you use any type of sandpaper perch covers?  Could your keet have had any type of sore(s)/injury to his feet that might not have been treated properly?  Any other birds in the home?   


Hi again, Lynda.

No I haven't.  However, I may have given you the wrong address.  Please try resending to ripleybird@netzero.net.  I sometimes forget that the ending is .net and not .com.  I'm sorry...I've been watching for the picture.

Chrys