Introducing BellyFlop-The Handicapped Parrotlet!

[TooDusty]

A while ago I posted asking for help with a young parrotlet that had lost the use of her legs overnight. She was living in the pet store I work at and one morning I got a call saying that the parrotlet had broken its legs. I saw that they weren't broken, but she wasn't using them. I vet had a glance at her and said she had splay legs (that doesn't make sense because that develops over time and this is a 4 month old bird!!) I think she had a stroke or something.

Me being me, I took her home after several people volunteered and backed out. So her cage is a hamster cage and her food bowl is a hermit crab water bowl (but it's awfully cute!). She was getting sores on her hocks so I put her on some fluffy bedding. She water bottle trained very quickly, so she doesn't have to deal with messy water bowls. I also put in some things to encourage her to climb. She has a "birdie Buddy" in the corner for her to snuggle with and she did that almost immediately (you can see her in the corner of the cage with it).

She is doing pretty well, but if anyone can think of anything to make her more comfy, please share.

Below are pictures of her cage, her legs and wonky feet, and her sitting on a pillow.

[expressmailtome]

First, I would like to say that she is very lucky to have you. Next, what are you using as a bedding? You just have to be careful that she is not eating it. I wish you both the best!

Matt

[TooDusty]

the bedding is Carefresh-It's a paper based bedding for small animals. I use it in my lovebirds' breeding box.

[LoveyDovey]

So nice of you to take her in...baby is an adorable cutiepie...good luck with her growth and health!!!! thats if she is a she...lolsss

[Rahni]

She is gorgeous, I love the photo where you can see her snuggled up to her buddy. Best of luck with her!

[TooDusty]

Yeah, she's definitely a she, no blue on her!

[Emmilyy]

what a cutie! she is lucky you took her in! . is she going to be staying with you permanently? Her cage looks great! very cute. Maybe you could put some "shelves" in for her to climb up on, to give her more room? Good luck with the sweetie!

[usamma]

Aww very sweet!!!

The position of her toes reminds me of people who have cerebral palsy. If this happened overnight a stroke is a good guess, or a spine injury.

I have heard of birds who become paralyzed because of egg binding, but this is obviously not the case with her.