Broken wing(?)

[bissobudgie7]

Hi, Everyone:

I previously spoke with Monica about this issue, but anyone who has good advice is certainly welcome to share.

I have a budgie who has, what I "think" is, a broken wing. It's left wing sort of sticks out (not so much "droops" as it does sticks out from its body). He's not in any pain, and he interacts well with the rest of the flock.

However, I feel just a tad guilty for letting him go this long with an injured wing. I previously told Monica that I was going to take a picture of him, but I haven't done this, yet.

I noticed something new about the wing, however, that I want to share. Recently I picked him up, closed both wings to see if I could sort of pin point the problem area. On the wing that is injured, I felt a sharp point somewhere on the curve of the wing, whereas on the other wing I couldn't feel anything like this. I think this is the injured area.

My question is, should I try wrapping it's wings closed with strips of guaze strips, and then keep him separate to see if the wing will heal? This procedure is the only procedure I could find on the internet that addresses on how to treat a broken wing. Or, do you think that by my letting him go this long that it might of healed incorrectly by now? I sort of need some advice on this one. . .

[wildirish]

Well, considering that this happened back in October I would assume that it is healed by now. I also went back and read that thread, Monica gave you the advice to go to the vet and the rest of what she said was based on your assumption that the wing clip was the issue.

This goes right back to what many here have said before, none of us are vets and none of us can see the birds, there is no way to correctly diagnose nor fix a problem online.

He is probably not in pain now, there is no way of really knowing that. i have a B&G that had abroken leg years ago that no one set and now has a bad limp, though she doesn't seem to be in pain, our vet did say that eventually she will get very bad arthritus (sp) later down teh road which will be painful. Broken bones hurt, birds are just very good at hiding pain and illness to avoid being left or killed.

If you are seriously breeding these little guys, please be prepared to take them to the vets. I know you stated that you wanted happy, healthy babies, you can only get that by utilizing an avian vet.

Please do not take this as bashing or anything, simply my opinion on caring for birds. I have seen and have too many birds who were not properly vetted and cared for and it causes more issues later down the road.

[Lori L]

I'm not into bashing either but when I read this post my first thought was why didn't you take it to the vet? I just feel very sad that you didn't

[bissobudgie7]

Stupidity and carelessness, on my part....I feel really bad....However, I made an appointment with an avian vet for next Monday @ 9:30. I really hope they are able to correct whatever the problem may be.... I know your comments are strictly out of your concern for the bird and not merely just to "bash" me. I appreciate your concern and will keep you all updated...

[Lori L]

I'm glad Jeff that you are taking the bird to the vet, it's the right thing to do. I'm also glad that you didn't take my comment as bashing but for great concern for the bird. There are many people out there that do not know how to take care of a bird and don't think of birds as the same kind of pets as a dog or cat. Since you are new here and people don't know you we don't know what your experience is with birds, how old you are (could be a child) etc so what might seem a bit harsh is only to help you and your bird immediately. Please let us know what the vet says, we all care

[bissobudgie7]

Thanks, I appreciate your concern, too. I am 39 years old and currently in only my 2nd year breeding budgies...I've not encountered a "major" problem until now. This has been the most severe.

My wife and I have 2 dogs (Eskies), 2 cats, 2 Love Birds, and about 13 budgies, or which 6 are my breeders. We take good care of our pets, with the exception of the stupid mistake I made with this one budgie.

When I called one verterinarian, they told me that they would not re-break the bone, if, indeed, this were the problem and the bone already healed incorrectly. Therefore, I called another vet who told me that re-breaking might be possible to correct the problem, if this were the case.

There's a brief bio...We're certainly not new to the pet world but a bit new with bird issues that arise....I will certainly keep you all posted, for sure.

[Lori L]

Hi again Jeff, well it sounds like you are pretty familiar with birds and animals in general. We all make mistakes and mis-judge things when it comes to animals and people...I think you'll like it here. I've only been here a short while, I post alot and the people are very nice, extremely helpful, very responsive and all in all the best group of online people that I have come into contact with. I hope to turn them into "real meetings" rather than just online

[wildirish]

Jeff,

I am also glad you didn't take my comments as mean!

Most vets will not rebreak bones as it is very traumatic as well as dangerous.
Like with Kianna, they said that it could do more harm than good to try and rebreak that bone and remove the calcification around the break. Birds don't have a great blood flow as it is and was told that she could lose the use of her foot or lose it all together, so I was better off letting it go since it happened almost 8 years ago and she has adjusted to it.

Good luck!!

[Monica]

I hope that a vet can figure out what has happened! I agree though, if indeed he has a broken wing, it is possible to fix, though it may not be worth it because of his size and how easy they can just pass on. Do keep us updated on how things go!

[Alyce Johnson]

I'm glad you're taking her to the vet - I've found with birds it's hard to know how serious something is, and it's easy either to go in for every little thing (which is rather expensive!) or to miss (or misjudge) something serious for some period of time. In that way, it's so different from our other pets. I've had a lot of animals, but birds are the first where I've not always known if I was doing the right thing about taking them or not taking them to the vet, or when to go.