My poor Zebra Finch bird :(

[zfinchlover]

One of my zebra finch bird is really hurt. Something happened to his leg/feet and he is unable to move around as usual. I was contemplating isolating the injured bird, but his brother is by his side (sitting next to him) and keeping him company! It is so adorable!

Nonetheless, I would like to ask the forum what they suggest I do to help my bird.

He is injured. His leg got hurt while he was reaching for the calcium supplement board. I cannot really afford to take him to the vet (I'm a broke university student), so I hope he heals by himself.

What can I do if he's not really drinking much water (can't move towards the water container because of his injury) and is just snacking on the food we put for him in the bottom of the cage? Is that okay for a bird?

Also, should we isolate him? The others are keeping him company and that is adorable, but I don't know if it's best for him physically.

Thanks in advance,

Annie

[L in Ontario]

Put the food and water dishes on the floor of the cage. Put a heatlamp on the side of the cage pointing towards the floor too so he can get some much needed warmth now.

Best would be to remove him alone to a small hospital cage with no perches and everything on the floor for him along with the heatlamp and perhaps a towel over the cage to help keep the heat in. Good luck!

PS - you might want to change/edit the title of this thread. I'm sure your Zebras are cute but in this posting it's their health that is the main concern.

[zfinchlover]

Put the food and water dishes on the floor of the cage. Put a heatlamp on the side of the cage pointing towards the floor too so he can get some much needed warmth now.

Best would be to remove him alone to a small hospital cage with no perches and everything on the floor for him along with the heatlamp and perhaps a towel over the cage to help keep the heat in. Good luck!

PS - you might want to change/edit the title of this thread. I'm sure your Zebras are cute but in this posting it's their health that is the main concern.

Well, he's looking much better now, although I'm not sure his feet is healing properly.

Thanks for your reply.

[lovemyfinch]

Glad to hear he's feeling a bit better.

[L in Ontario]

Glad to hear he is improving. Can you post pics of his legs/feet?

[ac12]

If the cage floor is wire grate, you should also put a towel/paper towel on the cage floor. That way it will be easier for him to move about. And the towel will help to keep the heat in the cage. Although you will have to clean the towel often, cuz of the poop.

The food and water should be in low dishes, cuz he won't be able to perch on the edge of deep dishes. In fact he may have to go into the dish to eat his feed. Or sprinkle the feed/seeds on the towel floor. Water will be tougher. You need to contain the water, yet make it easily accessible to him from the floor. A water tube w a trough inside the cage would be low enough. As long as it is close enough to him.

gud luk

[L in Ontario]

Good points, Gary!

[zfinchlover]

Hi everyone,

I am really upset because now my bird has something hanging down from him. It's as if his leg is completely useless now (one if it), and it's all ruined and just limping! Not to mention it doesn't look like a leg anymore. It's gray and white. I'm so sad and don't know what to do. His balance is also a bit strange.

I've read other forum posts, and am wondering if it's a good idea to amputate that section of his leg. I don't even know what to do!

I hate that my brother (who bought the birds) is too cheap (and broke) to take him to the vet.

I wish we never bought the bird since we cannot afford to take care of him. I hate this feeling.

[L in Ontario]

I feel it's very difficult to diagnose with seeing pictures. I'm sorry he is not doing as well as you thought. I hope you can take photos and post them here.

[Sally]

I'm sorry your bird is not doing well. You may be referring to my thread about amputation, but that should only be a very last resort. I did it because the foot was almost severed anyway and the little hen was in a panic. But I have other birds who have become crippled from leg or foot injuries, and they adjust very well. If a leg becomes injured beyond saving, it will gradually turn black, and actually will fall off. As Liz said, it is difficult to tell without photos--can you post? But please give your little bird a chance before you think about amputation. I have lots of birds, my fair share of crippled ones, and this is the first time I have even considered amputation, and I hope I never have to do it again.

[zfinchlover]

Thanks for your reply Sally. I'm glad to know that some of your birds have adjusted to leg injuries. I am going to leave him alone and pray he get's better on his own.

I'm sorry to hear about your bird and your experience. It must have been sad, but you had to do what was best for him/her. Good luck, and thanks for your advice.

[zfinchlover]

And as for posting pics of my bird I have been unable to do that because he's always on the floor. I haven't had the opportunity to see a good visible sight of his injury when I had a camera in my hand. But I will try!

[Total Finch]

keep the other with him if they seem so kind to him