Amputation

[Sally]

I had to amputate a finch leg today--first time for me. This is one of my juvie BCCBs, a hen. She was flopping around like she couldn't get her balance, so I caught her up and found that she had broken a leg. It is the leg with the closed metal band on it, so I'm wondering if she got the band hooked in something and then broke her leg fighting to get free. Anyway, the foot was just hanging, so I had to do something. Used cuticle nippers, nipped the foot right off. She bled a little, which I stopped with cornstarch, and now she will have to learn to get around with one leg. I just have to get her thru this trauma first and hope she makes it.

[cindy]

Sally, your poor little bird. I am sorry she had to go through this and for you to have to make such a heartbreaking decision. In a way it is best for the bird, she may not have survived or gotten an infection if you hadn't. It still must have been hard on you. Are you ok?

One of my mom's little birds only had part of one his legs, he was the sweetest little birds, he befriend my mom and me and ate from our hands. He became very friendly, I'd like to think he knew we were helping him and he was special. I'll always remember that sweet little male zebra.

Keep us posted on how she is doing, prayers for you and her quick recovery. Are you treating her with antibiotics?

[dfcauley]

Gosh Sally..... you were very brave. I am not sure I could have done that. Hope it recovers okay..... I am sure it is getting the best of care from you. Keep us posted.

[cindy]

I agree with Donna, you are so brave. I would be running the bird to the vet. I don't even like to see my dogs get shots!!!!

Crossing fingers and praying for you both.

[L in Ontario]

Wow - way to go Sally. I'm so proud of you to have the nerve and wits about you to do that. Excellent job. Best wishes for the juvie for a speedy and full recovery (to get along as good as possible). Well done, Sally

[Meagan83]

Wow, you are a strong woman!!! It made me shudder just to think of cutting a foot off. I would say that you did the poor thing a favor though. It either would have fallen off or it would have been a dangling nuisance I guess. praying for a full recovery, poor thing .

Kudos for guts!!!

[lovemyfinch]

You are definately a curageous woman who loves her fids. Prayers are with the little one on her way to recovery.

[Ursula]

Wow! I wouldn't have the courage... I would have gone to the vet also...



Yes, please keep us posted.

[Sally]

I wouldn't have had the courage to do it, except I was talking one day with one of our local bird club members, and he was saying he had had to do it. He said it is not that difficult, and told me how to do it. I won't say it was easy, but she was having a terrible time with the foot flopping around. She doesn't look wonderful tonight, so we'll see how she gets thru this. I haven't started antibiotics, but have applied an antiseptic cream (neosporin) and then tomorrow I thought I might apply some collidal silver salve that I got at the health food store for myself. I feel so sorry for her.

[cindy]

Sally, what about that special dirt, it starts with a "D" John used it on the male gouldian's beak. Would that work to help heal it?

Poor thing, hope she pulls through, she must be a little shocky. Maybe keep her electrolytes up.

[Sally]

Thanks, cindy, I did a search just now for that thread. It is diatomaceous earth that John used to pack the beak with. If the collidal silver salve doesn't help, I have some of the d. earth to try.

[monotwine]

Awe Sally I hope you little bird get well soonest. Just glad for its sake you saw it soon and could help it out.

I also had to amputate a little birds leg yesterday . Badly broken leg. I took it to the vet. I could not have been as brave as you. This little one had to have its leg amputated at the thigh, in the flesh part, so I don't think I could have done it anyhow. Bloody cats catching wild fledglings!

Vet put the little one on antibiotics for a week if that helps.

[cindy]

Sally, how is she today, any better? I hope so.

[jessyh]

I personally think it was way too soon to cut it off.

One of my male cut throats broke his leg completely in half. It got caught between the plastic seed guard and the bars only 5 minutes after I got him. It was dangling there in two. I called the breeder immediately and she said to put him in a hospital cage, do not cut it off yet. So I did. Amazingly, he completely recovered. I had him on Aspen Shavings so he had a nice cushiony bed to lay on. I'll take pics, he's perfectly fine. It's a little crooked but works like normal. My breeder said to never cut a leg off unless the leg is clearly dying or dead and dry. Not just because it's broken. My little guy's leg was purple and black for a month, but I'm glad he has a fully functioning leg now.

[dfcauley]

I think we all have to make the decision we think is best at that time. I am sure this is what Sally thought needed to be done for her little bird that she loves so much.