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Birds--General/injured cockatiel

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Expert: - 10/22/2006


Question
my poor little Alice was attacked by my pomeranian Peanut and lost her tail feathers and wing feathers, she's a tough girl like her momma and survived and is eating and drinking well. In the mean time, she must have injured her nerve in her right leg trying to compensate for the loss of balance without the feathers, I have been trying to massage and stimulate the leg since the accident 4 days ago. the vet said it was not broken, the foot is warm and has limited grip. I am so heartbroken for this little life, I did not want a bird for i believe they should be in the trees not cages but Alice was a rescue and i am determined to give her a good life. once she survived the attack i thought we were out of the woods but she now has the lame leg and is overweight and i am sure that not only am i stressed about it, but so is she. she still tweets though, and i could really use some advice for my anxiety over her situation, thankyou for helping , i can not express my need or gratefullness enough, Deanna Labella   Newark, DE

Answer
Hi, Deanna.  Thanks for posting!

If this only happened 4 days ago, she may not have had enough time to heal yet.  I'd give it a week or two and then see what's what, as long as you've had her to an avian vet and he thinks all's OK.

I highly recommend you keep your pomeranian and your tiel separate from each other.  The next time your tiel might not be so lucky!  Dogs, cats, and birds are natural enemies.

If this bird is overweight, you are probably feeding her too much seed.  Seed is high in fat and low in nutrition.  I recommend you try a healthier diet for her.  Visit my website for more information on nutrition:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Come back with any questions.

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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