Injured Leg

[Laney]

Hi!

I recently (last week) took in a jumbo male zebra finch with an injured leg. He managed to get his leg caught in the bars of his cage where the door slides up. I felt sorry for the little guy so I took him in to see a vet. He's been on a 10 day round of antibiotics and pain meds. The vet had originally thought that the foot would heal but it it has become very dried out and withered. The little guy is actually managing quite well, taking his meds like a champ and waiting good. The vet is recommending an amputation that sounds quite involved - he'll lose his entire foot and a portion of his lower leg. She's recommending a surgery with full anesthesia, creating a skin flap around the base of the healthy part of the leg and suturing it back together. I'm a little hesitant to put the little guy through this unless it's absolutely necessary - not to mention the paying the price attached. Have any of you ever been in this situation before? Will the leg eventually fall of on it's own? Any advice or recomendations are much appreciated!

[Sally]

Oh, my, that sounds like it could be awfully expensive! I hate to sound crass, but to spend that kind of money on a rescue Zebra would be difficult for me. I have had birds with missing limbs that adapt just fine. I did have to do an amputation myself one time, a Blue-capped hen had almost severed her leg, and it was flapping around, putting her into a panic. I caught her up, nipped off the foot with cuticle nippers, and she didn't even bleed where I did it. If the leg is withering and turning black, it normally will fall off by itself without bleeding at all, just give it time, as long as he is eating and drinking and appearing healthy otherwise. He will learn to adjust without both legs.

[Laney]

Thanks Sally. I was hoping that it would eventually just fall off on its own. I just hate to think he's in pain because of it. Do you think it would be a bad idea to clip part of it off? It's very dried and twiggy looking. He is doing great otherwise so i'm more than willing to give him a chance.

I have him caged with another male for company ( I'm not at all interested in breeding them ) and I've put in some platforms so he has a spot to rest a little more comfortably. Do you think I should put a nest in to give them a place to rest as well or is that a bad idea for two males? I'm sorry for all of the questions - I have two very spoiled parrotlets but this is a first experience with finches. This looks like a wonderful place to learn how to take care of my new little guys!

[Sally]

That's great you gave him some platforms for resting, as he will have to work a bit more to perch, though they seem to manage just fine. With two males, the nest shouldn't be a problem, and again it gives him a place to rest and get the weight off his one foot.

Personally, unless the dead foot is keeping him from eating and drinking, or unless he is in a panic because of it, I would let nature take its course and wait for it to fall off. I only amputated that time because the little hen was in such a panic she was flying into the cage bars, etc. As soon as I removed the foot, she calmed right down. And just as cats and dogs don't seem to have the same pain thresholds that we have, I wonder about birds, they seem to carry on as if there is little or no pain.

[ac12]

I too would not have the vet do the amputation. Way too $$$ for a zebra.
I had a zebra that also lost a leg. The foot and lower leg eventually turned black and fell off where the leg broke. He seemed to get around surprisingly well on one leg.
As you did, provide several platforms where he can rest, so he does not overstress his remaining leg.

[G8love4finches]

Good luck! Hope he makes a full recovery, one legged miracle!

[Laney]

Thank-you so much for the responses - I feel so much better leaving him be now. I'll keep you updated as to how he does. How long did it take for 'nature' to do it's thing with your birds?

[monotwine]

I've only once had an amputation op done on a bird (that for a wild rescued white eye ). The only reason was that the damage and break was in multiple areas and the leg needed to be taken off at the body. He would have bled to death if I'd have nipped the leg off. If your Zebra has any damage below the joint from the upper leg I would leave it be as others have suggested. The leg will either eventually fall off or you will be able to see when it needs to go.