Budgie accident - metal hook in lower mandible, is this dangerous?

[hsemage]

Hi,

My parakeet's cage has a swing that has a little metal hook. He was playing with the hook, and somehow the hook came into the hole in his lower mandible (lower beak). He started screaming and flapping like crazy and ended up hanging by his lower beak, with the hook stuck inside and going into his mouth, (apparently).

I heard him screaming and quickly held him and managed to slip the metal hook out of his lower jaw. I examined his tongue and it looks undamaged. Could this incident have caused any damage that I might not know about? Like damaging some tissues or membranes in the lower beak? Or is there simply a hole in budgies that goes from his mouth to the bottom of his lower mandible down by the neck?

Also after this incident, he seems like he can't fly very well (only happened 1 hour ago).. doesn't have so much lift when he flaps.. but otherwise he is now sitting in his cage and doesn't seem to be making any fuss.

If anyone could give me your views or advice I'd really appreciate it! Thanks.

[Emmilyy]

It sounds like a trip to the AV is in order! I hope everything turns out okay!

[kellywess]

I would keep him in a warm, quiet place until you can get him to an AV for a looksee.

[pippy]

Sorry to hear about this accident!

You must, must, must take your bird to the vet as soon as possible, they can be in absolute agony if their beak is damaged (I know this from personal, awful experience with one of my birds).

A lot of people think birds feel no pain in their beaks....nothing could be further from the truth though so please get him seen as soon as possible to rule out any damage

[failurebydesign]

So then does it hurt them to get their beaks trimmed?
I did not know this!

[pippy]

Originally Posted by failurebydesign

So then does it hurt them to get their beaks trimmed?
I did not know this!

I've no idea, I just know that my Grey cracked his beak and he was screaming in agony and had to be put under anaesthetic to have part of the beak removed.

[jenseits]

Birds' beaks have a lot of nerves. Even a "good" beak trim will cause soreness and I've heard stories of birds dying after a botched trim (either because of pain, trauma, inability to eat afterwards, etc) even if everything looked and seemed fine. Most vets will not do a beak trim unless there's a medical reason for it. So, the answer is that yes, birds' beaks are very sensitive. I don't know enough about the kind of accident you described, but my motto is "better safe than sorry". Have the vet check everything out, make sure there aren't any cuts that could get infected, etc. Good luck!

[hollyhawkz]

Exactly what Pippy said.

[Chicklette]

Yes, I do agree, you need to get him to the vets for sure!!!! He needs to be checked out.

[asulli]

I would at least call the vet as soon as possible they will be able to give their professional advice.