Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 6/24/2007

Question
Hey... me again. Here are some pictures of it's anal area/ stomach. They are sort of redish.... we don't know if it's normal. I think the 2nd picture is better.a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z16/gce7311/bird6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z16/gce7311/bird2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> The foot to your right, (the one dangling)is the one that we think is injured.<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z16/gce7311/bird4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> How should we treat it? More fruits/ vitamins? <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z16/gce7311/bird3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> She always struggles to get up. Here is a picture of the foot. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z16/gce7311/bird1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> We even put the 2 birds close together. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z16/gce7311/bird5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> Is that good, or should we really seperate them? What kind of treatment should we give it also?

Answer
Hi again, Genesis.

Thanks for sending the pictures, but they weren't very revealing.  Your bird definitely has some type of injury, but I was not able to determine from the pictures whether it's a leg, foot, or shoulder problem.  Like I stated before, if the leg/foot is broken, it will just dangle...the bird won't be able to control it at all.  This situation needs immediate medical attention.  Your bird might be plucking/picking the area around its bottom as a way of trying to relieve any discomfort it might be experiencing with the leg/shoulder/foot problem.  In other words, the bird might be in some discomfort and be having a difficult time trying to figure out where the discomfort is coming from so its picking at an area that might offer some relief.  OR   your bird might have a couple different problems going on at the same time...one with a shoulder/foot/leg injury and another problem related to the area where the bird is picking.  The only assistance I can offer at this point is to say I'd keep the injured bird separate from other birds until you can find out what's going on with the injury.  This bird doesn't need to be aggravated by other birds and needs to be kept warm, calm (no stress), well fed/watered.  You may want to consider removing perches, too, as this bird needs relief from using its left side until the problem is diagnosed.  Fruits, vitamins, stuff like this isn't going to help this bird.  This bird is injured, perhaps ill, and needs medical attention ASAP.  The vet can see first hand what the problem is, whereas I'm at a disadvantage because I can't actually see/touch the bird.  

You need to take this bird to a certified avian veterinarian for medical evaluation and treatment quickly.  I know it can be expensive, but your bird deserves it.

Chrys