Lame Toe

[healthyaddict]

So for awhile now, Doctor has been very clumsy. I had just assumed it was due to the breeder doing a shabby job at clipping his wings before I got him until I took him to the vet again yesterday. Turns out he has a lame toe (see left foot in picture below). Never noticed it until then. Now it makes bit more sense when he would slip and fall from the top to the bottom of his cage.

So here's my dilemma...

My instinct was to get smaller branches so he could wrap both feet around them, but he's not nearly as stable on them. Or should I just get more medium/large sized branches for him to walk on, or just not worry about my little guy tumbling? He's definitely getting bolder in climbing, jumping, and flying as his feathers grow back in. Maybe this is all just a learning curve in learning his limits? He's only about 5 months old, maybe 6.

I feel like an over protective bird mom.

[Eric&Rebecca]

Perhaps some flat perches? The natural bird shop I get my perches from make flat perches for disabled or lame birds. The flat perches excercise and rest the feet. I don't have the exact email address on me but maybe you could ask if they would ship to the states. Lady there called Karen is amazing. All perches from natural wood, willow and some other trees. I think it's called natural bird or nature bird but they would be great for your needs

[Eric&Rebecca]

http://www.naturalbirdco.co.uk/ourshop/ ... Small.html

Here it is!!!!

[healthyaddict]

That's a fabulous idea. I'll see if I can find some here, if not I might order from that site.

Thanks!

[marie83]

He should improve when his wings grow back, birds are very adaptable and one toe shouldn't make too much difference unless theres a possibility its actually causing him pain. Whilst cockatiels aren't the most clumsy of species they can be fairly clumsy, more so whilst young. As you have noted he is improving and will continue to do so, particuarly as he wings grow in and his muscles balance out.

A variety of perches will help him build his strength, so a combination of ones of different widths and the flat perches mentioned will enable him to choose and help his use his muscles as he climbs around the cage.

If you are worried about him falling you can line the cage with folded towels and put newspaper over the top of them to change as usual.

You will need to keep a much closer eye on his nail of course as it will grow faster than his others, better to keep it as short as you can

[healthyaddict]

You will need to keep a much closer eye on his nail of course as it will grow faster than his others, better to keep it as short as you can

Didn't even think about the nail problem. Guess I should suck it up and learn to trim them.

[Eric&Rebecca]

Have stiping powder and good trimmers. Perhaps ask your vet to show you first time and then ask them for equipment. Our vet gives us little tutorials on these things. You can always just have the nail blunted, which means taking the very tip off (providing its not overgrown) that way if it does press on his feet pads it won't cut into him.

[Andromeda]

He should improve when his wings grow back, birds are very adaptable and one toe shouldn't make too much difference unless theres a possibility its actually causing him pain. Whilst cockatiels aren't the most clumsy of species they can be fairly clumsy, more so whilst young. As you have noted he is improving and will continue to do so, particuarly as he wings grow in and his muscles balance out.

A variety of perches will help him build his strength, so a combination of ones of different widths and the flat perches mentioned will enable him to choose and help his use his muscles as he climbs around the cage.

+1

A variety of perches would be best and he will adapt. Drs. Foster and Smith sells a wood corner shelf and a powder-coated corner shelf which are great for birds with perching issues so you might want to get a few like that as well.

[Pricey_boy]

I think your being a bit over protective because if you cater to his problem he won't be able to get over it and it is very important that he adjust. I have a young rainbow lorikeet with a very similarl problem where the same toe as your bird doesn't work and now he can even sleep hanging upside down but when I first got him he was very clumsy.also my grandad has a galah he rescued that was hit by a car and both its feet face forward away from the body and has to walk around on perches on its elbows and can even fly from perch to perch with amazing balance it's probably the most incredible bird I ever saw its only problem is when the male try to mate with her she falls off