Conure favoring foot

[rain]

Good day to all!

I have had my sun conure for about 3 years and the previous owners estimated him to be about 5 when they gave him to me. He is a healthy and active bird and I have no issues with him, he is a lovely and happy bird. About a week ago I had him in the shower for his bath which he enjoyed immensely however shortly thereafter he seemed to take a turn for the worst and became extremely lathargic, basically immobile and appeared "drunk" for a lack of better explanation. I held him in a towel and simply cuddled him. Within a few hours he returned to his normal self. I had not seen any physical injury and he was eatin and drinking normally. A few days ago I noticed he was favoring his left foot and upon closer inspection I saw that on the underside of two of his toes had scabs on them (where the nail comes from the toe) and the other two toes, at the nailbed (again, the underside of his foot), appear swollen and his foot is hot. I realize these are symptoms of fighting an infection so last night I filled a bowl with warm salt water and let him stand in it. He didn't fight it and actually seemed to enjoy the foot soak. This morning the foot still feels hot and the toes are still swollen and he is still favoring it. Suggestions? If he hasn't made improvement by Friday I will be taking him to the vet.

P.S. I have completed a thorough insepction of his cage and did not find anything that he may have injured his foot on. Of the years he has been with me he has NEVER plucked feathers or picked at himself.

[Slappy]

I'm no pro, but i would talk to a vet and explain the situation. It may be a better idea to have it looked at and treated before it gets worse. Good luck and I hope your bird gets better soon.

[Greycloud]

This calls for a vet visit before friday. Infection can spread throughout the body. If you do a very close examination can you possibly see if a hair might be wrapped around the toe or foot further up. It is sometimes very hard to see.

[rain]

I did look closely and I don't see a hair or anything. Marley still had his strong appetite this morning and he was his vibrant self when I came home today. I did decide that I want to get him in before Friday but my vet doesn't have anything sooner but I am on their list to call. I explained the symptoms to my vet and he said he will see him Friday. Marley is sleeping right now (it is 7:30pm).

[Jag]

Personally, if I had a bird with those symptoms, I'd be finding a different vet that could see him before Friday. You just never know... it blows my mind the rash of vet "Oops!" that I'm seeing lately...

[RockysMom]

Yeah I agree, find a new vet! I can call my vet at anytime day or night with an emergency or if it's something that warrents a visit right away they see me on the spot! With birds they can go from ok to not ok. Not trying to be harsh, but if there is an infection it can spread quick! I would call them and explain the urgency, or try to find a new vet.

[kali]

Good luck, hope he is ok.

My budgie had ulcers on his feet and when i asked if i should soak it the vet said i should just leave them to heal, because getting the foot wet can make it more painful to stand on.

I was also told that i should put paper at the bottom of the cage because standing on the wire would hurt it too much.

Hopefully this helps you until you get to see the vet.

[rain]

Marley had his vet appointment today. The foot is infected but the vet was unable to determine what the cause is. His heart and lungs are clear and aside from his foot he is in very good health. Currently his treatment consists of .06cc of Baytril orally twice a day, Avi-Booster orally once a day, a foot bath with Nolvasan soap once a day and after the bath, apply Thermazene (Silver Sulfadiazine) cream to his foot. Having never had to treat my bird with medicine, I must admit, it was quite the ordeal. Within 30 seconds after the oral doses he regurgitated it. He seemed to be content during the bath but getting the cream on wasn’t a picnic. Marley was upset and I could tell he wasn’t happy with me but now, he is fast asleep. We return to the vet in ten days.

Does anyone have experience with using the Baytril? It smells like rubbing alcohol and I cannot imagine tastes good. I am going to call the vet tomorrow morning because even though the prescription directs it to be administered orally, I’m baffled as to why it smells terribly toxic.

Thank you all for your feedback. It is greatly appreciated!

[kali]

I used Baytril for my Ekkie when she was sick and she was quite good with it. After her meds though, i'd draw up some pureed baby food into the syringe and give her some of that.

[perchingbird]

I've had to administer oral meds often to my sun. I used hand feeding formula in a syringe to get him started, then would trade to give him the meds, then back to the hand feeding formula. He eventually would take the meds without the bribery of formula, but it got him started.

All the oral meds I've had, including Baytril, never smelled poorly. Just like children's meds, the vets can mix in flavors.

I'm also suspicious of applying creams and soaks and the like to birds, since they can lick off the cream (if it was meant to be ingested it would be oral!), and soaks.. I dunno. Medicating should be as low-key as possible.

I'd get a second opinion, especially about the Baytril smelling bad.