Handicapped Zebra Finch -- How Can I Make Him Comfortable?

[longrider]

Hello,

I have a male zebra finch that dislocated his hip (cause unknown). I took him to an avian vet who gave the diagnosis after x-rays. The vet attempted to "sling" his hip to keep it stationary, but the finch removed the bandage within the hour after it was constructed.

I kept him confined in a small cage for about 1.5 months. The prognosis was guarded, but the vet felt he could live a decent life even if he never fully recovered. She did not think euthanasia was necessary.

It's been over two months now and it looks like he will be forever handicapped. He can grasp with his feet, but he can't perch. His legs go way forward and he can't stand straight. They get caught in his wings, so he can only fly a couple inches off the bottom of the cage.

I've moved him from his small "hospital" cage to a larger cage of his own. I fitted the bottom of the cage for his handicap and he seems to be doing OK. He's eating, drinking and has a nest to rest in.

Since he can't go back to his "social" cage with the cockatiels, I bought him a female zebra finch to keep him company. He lost his finch partner about a year ago (passed away). He's really excited to have the new finch in the cage with him. She interested in him and is staying nearby. She's even gone in the nest with him.

Is there anything else I can do to make this little guy's life better? I know you can't clip a finch's wings. But, given his handicap and his feet are getting caught on his wings every time he tries to move (which causes his belly to hit the cage bottom), is there something I can do give him more freedom of movement? It breaks my heart to see him flopping around on his belly.

I'm grasping at straws here...thanks for listening!

[Sally]

It sounds like you are doing about all you can. I have a finch with a leg that sticks straight out to the side, but he is able to fly and perch, though sometimes he will be a bit wobbly when first landing on the perch. You said this bird was in with cockatiels before? I thought most hookbills would harm small finches.

[longrider]

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your input.

Yes, he and his partner were in with the Cockatiel family for about two to three years. The bird store staff (a specialty store) told me they would get along fine, and they did. There were absolutely no signs of aggression that I ever saw and the little finches always seemed mingled with them easily. The cage is very large. Geez...I hope now the Cockatiels didn't do anything to him!

We adopted our first two finches from a neighbor's kids who no longer wanted them (ugh). After one would pass away, we would get another to keep the one remaining company, and it's been an ongoing thing ever since.

Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to respond!