Need Some Input on this Owl's Leg

[GouldieFledge]

Hey all-

I was in the local bird store this Sunday, very busy. I noticed this owl finch squatting low to the perch with their buddy, and then I thought her leg looked funny--it was tough to tell, since she was sitting so low. But after flying/hopping from perch to perch a few times, it was pretty evident that this bird's entire leg was MESSED UP.

The leg/foot are sticking straight out, and it is black. Which makes me believe she had some kind of accident and it is now merely dead tissue. Or, the leg band wasn't properly done, slipped down and subsequently cut off blood flow to the leg/foot. I cannot tell, but I took pictures.

I alerted this to the owner, who advised me that "the bird had lost a toe" so they had been monitoring it to make sure it could still perch and get around fine, and per them, so far so good. While he seemed correct that the bird was able to still perch, I wouldn't really agree that it was "thriving" in any way. Black tissue is never good.

I'm wondering if anyone can take a look at these photos and give their advice as to what's going on with the leg and foot, what can be done to help it (if anything), and the prognosis of the bird. I've been thinking about the little one a lot; I called the shop to check in and see if she was still alive, and apparently she is. I'm thinking about taking her if it's possible to rehab at all.

Any input is appreciated!!!

[GouldieFledge]

Here are some more images

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

From what I can see in the pictures, it looks like the band is sitting wrong, on the foot more than the ankle, with all the toes sort of squished together. That band should be removed.

A bird can live quite happily with only one foot, however I'm not quite certain if that foot is altogether dead from what I can see.

I know when Max, twisted his leg and wing almost off, the leg turned completely pitch black, and shriveled up like a burnt match eventually.
When I was quite sure that the leg was truly dead, I snipped off the foot with nail clippers, leaving a portion of the leg, which he uses like a peg leg to balance on.

Pictures of Max to give you an idea....

If I were you, I would snap up her and her buddy and bring them home. Beautiful birds.

[GouldieFledge]

loveZebs

I really want this little couple! So your finch was okay with the leg looking as it did for quite some time, then when you were certain it was dead, you amputated? Which means that I could play it by ear with her foot; remove the band and she wouldn't need "emergency surgery"?

I called yesterday, following up on her. The owner told me she is still alive and well...I told him I was thinking about her and her pal a lot, and he said "well of course I would sell her to you for half price, which is less than what I paid."

I told him I was definitely interested and would stop in again later this week. I'm wondering if I should push for a "buy one, get one free" deal, paying full price for the other and getting her as a bonus. What are your thoughts?

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

I don't know what the store policy is on an injured bird, you would have to find out... Then again, it never hurts to ask

Regarding the Owl's poor little leg:
I would most definitely cut the band off, and the sooner the better. That way, you can examine the leg, actually see what the problem is and treat it accordingly.

If there is some blood flow to the leg and the foot, then it might still be sulvageable. If there is no blood flow, then you'll have to decide if this leg is a help or a hinderance to mobility.

With Max, the leg was very obviouly cold and dead, but I left it for a while to see if he'd be using it to balance. He wasn't, and it was just dragging behind and tripping him, at which point decided to remove it.

Do you have other Owls, or will these guys be your firsts?

[GouldieFledge]

lovezebs

It could be worth a shot! I've purchased a lot of birds there, so you never know.

This would be my first set of owls. I've been interested in them for some time now. Any tips/suggestions you have, I'll take!

The owls aren't as common around my area, they'll have them in occassionally...but these guys really caught my eye.

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

They are adorable little birds, and they make little kitten like meeou sounds. Very attractive and entertaining to watch.

Diet, is the same as other finches. They do enjoy some live foods, such as small mealworms and flightless fruitflies.

Greens, cucumber slices, orange slices.

Hard boiled eggs.... pretty much the same as the rest of the kids.

Not difficult to keep.

[GouldieFledge]

lovezebs

These two are coming home with me tomorrow

I went back in today and checked them out again. She's the most vocal of the four owls they currently have! So she seems to be doing alright.

I also asked if I could have her for 75% and her pal at regular price--he agreed.
He stated that the leg may fall off. I asked if they had band splitters there to remove the band--apparently, they do not (?) Regardless, it actually DID look like the band was okay; it was sitting further up the leg today, not squeezing the foot together. Still of course, I'll be taking that thing off. He also told me that the band wasn't the problem, after I asked about the splitters--he said she got her foot stuck in the cuttle bone holder or something, which is why it's deformed.

I'm very excited! I love how they preen one another and those little meows. I'm really hoping that I've got a male and female; I know owls are nearly impossible to sex. It does look like the friend has slightly thicker neck and breast bands, and a whiter face--then again, there were only 4 points of reference, so I can't be sure. I was watching them for more than a half hour, hoping to hear singing--no dice.

[MisterGribs]

GouldieFledge It makes me so happy to see the little footy bird rescued! Be sure to keep an eye on the leg, if it starts to fester it could cause an infection.

Does it feel hot, or cold?

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

I'm glad that they'll be coming home with you.

Did you mean that you'll be getting her for 75% of the full price, or 75% off the full price?

Whatever/however, I truly think you'll enjoy them

[GouldieFledge]

They're arrived

Here's some images of the leg:

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

So they did come home

In regards to the leg, is it warm or cold to the touch?

It looks to me like the damage was where I had placed the green line below....
I would try soaking the leg in some slightly warm water with a tiny bit of epsum salt ( if you feel comfortable with doing that ), and rubbing it very VERY gently between your fingers, to see if you get even the slightest movement in those toes. Make sure to rinse under clean water afterwards and carefully dry it.

[MisterGribs]

Oh dear, it appears that the foot is in fact dead, especially if there is no blood flow or circulation. Lovezebs is correct about the injury site, and it looks like there's swelling and inflammation.

Have you considered amputation?

[GouldieFledge]

lovezebs mistergribs

Yes, I also thought that appeared to be the point of injury, as the leg is pink and slighly swollen there.

I'm having a hard time telling if the leg and foot are hot/cold. I THINK the foot feels cold and the above-injury point warm, but i really can't tell for certain. I tried very gently moving the toes and they were rather brittle feeling, but I have not tried soaking them yet Elana, I'll give that a try. As for the leg, the band was slightly stuck, which I'm assuming was some sort of discharge from injury, but the band wiggled free very easily. I seemed to get a reaction when I maneuvered the leg slightly, but this also could've been coincidence.

I am willing to amputate, but I want to be ABSOLUTELY SURE that I know what I'm doing and where I'm severing, if that's the case. Obviously I worry about cutting too low and allowing gangrene/infection to continue spreading up the leg, or cutting too high and (well, obviously, the end result of that).

My questions right now are:
1. aside from the Epsom salt soak, if there an antibacterial application I should place on the leg/foot? Like neosporin, or an iodine wash, even an antibacterial soap-washing?
2. additionally, should I place this bird on oral antibiotics as a preventative/treatment for potential or present infection?

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

First of all let me say, that I am not a Vet, so whatever I suggest here, is just how I treated Max, and what I would personally do in this particular situation.

With Max it was a somewhat different situation because I had him right from the very begining, when I found him as a bloody mess, hanging in the flight. I thought he was dead, but he fooled me (he was only 98% dead, and quite determined to stay alive ).

As I mentioned before, the first thing I would do, is give the leg a good soak in warm water with epsom salts. That will soften the skin, and if there is a tiny pocket of infection, it may help it drain. Then I would dab some hydrogen peroxide with a Q-tip, to see if there is any open cuts that might be infected (and yes I know it may sting a bit). Lastly, I'd dry the little foot, and gently rub some Polysporin antibiotic cream on any areas which show a wound. All you need is an amount like a half of a pin head, and wipe off any excess.

Then give it time and see how it goes.

If in time it starts to look like this:

Max's picture above then you'll know that the foot is dead.
Now just because it's dead, it doesn't mean that it has to come off.

If she's using it for balance, for perching, etc. I would leave it alone.
If she starts dragging it behind her, tripping over it, or if it's catching on things, it may need to be removed, but don't jump the gun on that.