Okay, LEG'S OFF, NOW WHAT!?!

[GouldieFledge]

ALRIGHT well it just happened. I just went over and looked and thought "oh my, it's hanging by a literal thread now, I'm gonna have to snip it"...yeah, no sooner did I say this and the foot goes FLYING across the cage onto the floor. Ugh!!!!

I'm happy to say that it's red/there is blood at the base, but it is not bleeding. And she appears to be just fine with this...it's actually the first she's calmed down.

But what am I supposed to do now?? Do I wash the open wound, and with what? I'm on day, uhhh 6 or 7 of the baytril, so I don't know if I'll need to continue with ANOTHER round of anibiotics after, since its course is finished soon. Gotta check my records for day #.

Or do I treat with something natural or like...idk...a blood clotting substance? quikstop, diatomaceous earth?

I'm so weirded out right now looking at this foot argh. I'll post pictures, but I don't know if that'd be too graphic(?)

***(Reference post http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=36826 for further detail as needed)

[Babs _Owner]

GouldieFledge

I wouldnt use diatomaceous earth for anything related to bleeding. It is made of sharp crustaceans that can open a wound instead of closing it. I use it in vegetable gardening.

Quick stop would be okay. Nothing with alcohol or anything that thins the blood. Take a deep breath!! She's doing what she would do in the wild. Its okay, she's free of the limb., she's not bleeding.

Relax and wait and see if she needs anything. She may not need anything at all. If she's not bleeding I would not even try and do anything.

Keep us posted.

[wildbird]

Leave it alone. It will heal on it's own.

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

Sorry that it shocked you, but it's good that it did it all on it's own (at least you didn't have to snip it off).

If it's bleeding, you can use a dab of corn starch, or quick stop.

If it's not bleeding, than a dab of antibiotic cream (to make sure no infection enters the wound).

I would use paper towel on the bottom of the cage, because it's soft and won't aggravate the bottom of her stump.

Now let the healing begin.

I'd offer a nice warm light, and her favorite foods.

[MisterGribs]

Maybe remove the bath for the time being, if you have a separate bath.

Congrats! No more worrying! Sounds like you did a great job with her.

[Babs _Owner]

GouldieFledge

How's your little gal doing this morning?

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

How is she this morning?

[GouldieFledge]

wildbird@lovezebs@Babs

She is doing well this morning! She's acting the same as she has been, and it looks like having the foot off is making it a little easier for her to maneuver, too--she's still holding it up at times, but it does seem more comfortable to her than prior.

I padded the bottom of the cage last night with layers of newsprint and paper towel, and I had luckily just disinfected all the perches etc. prior this all happening, so at least she has a somewhat sterile environment to heal.

The "bump" area on her leg you'll clearly see through photos; this is the area iv'e been concerned with, stating that it didn't look infected or feel hot, but just looked strange. I don't know if part of this is due to building up callous there, from resting on the different branches? I welcome any thoughts.

I've decided to name her PEGGY, but now I can't help but associate her with Luke Skywalker after having his arm light-sabered off, hahaha.

[GouldieFledge]

forgot MisterGribs

[GouldieFledge]

Just took these, sorry they're not the greatest w/the lighting:

[Babs _Owner]

GouldieFledge

I think she looks really good considering the old injury! The position of the stump may make it easier for her to balance too. And I'm glad to see she can still bend her leg so has more mobility with her stump.

LOL I know it freaked you out. The leg flying across the room! Hopefully she just needs time for the swelling to go down now.

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

Hi,

Glad to hear that little stumply is feeling better.

Regarding the lumpy leg:
Is it the same colour as her other leg?
And is it the same temperature?
I know you mentioned that it doesn't feel warmer, but does it feel colder?

It could be simply swollen a bit, or it could be a callus, but it's hard to tell from the picture.

[GouldieFledge]

lovezebs Hmmm....the leg looks darker and thicker than the other one to me. Hard to tell for sure, but seems that way. I'll grab her later and take an up-close image. The wound site itself looks better, though.

[GouldieFledge]

Here's some current photos

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge

The very tip still looks like it's a bit raw in picture 3 from the top.
Personally I'd put a tiny dab of antibiotic cream right on the very tip and rub in in very gently.

How is she behaving otherwise, eating, drinking, active?