VETERINARY
ASSOCIATES STONEFIELDFriday, April 23, 2004
Hello Dr. Sam.
When I got home today one of my breeder lovebirds was hanging from the top of her cage by her leg band. She had gotten it stuck on her swing sometime during the day. She is not using her leg or foot. Her leg is being held parallel to her body with her toes pointing toward her tail. She doesn't seem to be in pain, just stressed. What can I do to help her? There aren't any vets with Avian training nearby. Also, how can I remove her band safely without causing extra damage?
Thanks,
Kera & Patches
Well, you need a vet, you may cause MORE damage trying to remove the band with the bird awake, so anesthesia may be the safest way to go, if the leg is fractured it will need a splint at least, or a bone pin, worst case scenario. Also we need to know if deep pain is still present, if it is we have a good chance to save the leg and return her to normalcy. If it is not the prognosis for saving the leg is poor, BUT do not give up yet if no deep pain is present, sometimes it will return in 72-96 hours.
Hello Dr. Sam.
I am the one who wrote you last night about the lovebird. We did manage to get her band off without any stress -- she actually seemed relieved. I am located near Watkins Glen, NY and I have found a rehabilitator to help me with her. She seems to be using her foot slightly. Is it possible that she will regain most of the use of her foot/leg again? I feel so badly about it. She had gotten in caught on an open link on her swing. Instead of having an O shaped link, it had a U shaped link between the cage attachment and the swing. She must have been playing on the swing and got caught. I can send a picture of link if you'd like. You can use my incident for your website. Can I have a link to this site? Any other suggestions you can offer will be most helpful and I thank you for all advice already given.
Thanks,
Kera & Patches
I am glad to hear Patches is doing well. Thanks for permission to share the story. Very likely nerve function will return, especially since you see her using the leg slightly!
Samuel B. Vaughn, DVM, Avian Diplomate, ABVP
When I got home today one of my breeder lovebirds was hanging from the top of her cage by her leg band. She had gotten it stuck on her swing sometime during the day. She is not using her leg or foot. Her leg is being held parallel to her body with her toes pointing toward her tail. She doesn't seem to be in pain, just stressed. What can I do to help her? There aren't any vets with Avian training nearby. Also, how can I remove her band safely without causing extra damage?
Thanks,
Kera & Patches
Well, you need a vet, you may cause MORE damage trying to remove the band with the bird awake, so anesthesia may be the safest way to go, if the leg is fractured it will need a splint at least, or a bone pin, worst case scenario. Also we need to know if deep pain is still present, if it is we have a good chance to save the leg and return her to normalcy. If it is not the prognosis for saving the leg is poor, BUT do not give up yet if no deep pain is present, sometimes it will return in 72-96 hours.
Hello Dr. Sam.
I am the one who wrote you last night about the lovebird. We did manage to get her band off without any stress -- she actually seemed relieved. I am located near Watkins Glen, NY and I have found a rehabilitator to help me with her. She seems to be using her foot slightly. Is it possible that she will regain most of the use of her foot/leg again? I feel so badly about it. She had gotten in caught on an open link on her swing. Instead of having an O shaped link, it had a U shaped link between the cage attachment and the swing. She must have been playing on the swing and got caught. I can send a picture of link if you'd like. You can use my incident for your website. Can I have a link to this site? Any other suggestions you can offer will be most helpful and I thank you for all advice already given.
Thanks,
Kera & Patches
I am glad to hear Patches is doing well. Thanks for permission to share the story. Very likely nerve function will return, especially since you see her using the leg slightly!
Samuel B. Vaughn, DVM, Avian Diplomate, ABVP
