Stressful times...

[Cooper]

On top of other issues going on right now, Cooper developed a lame foot. It came out of the blue - maybe she caught it in a toy :confused: The avain vet visit (and xray with a lovebird sized dental xray) ruled out lead poisoning and broken bones. But that still doesn't give me a definite answer, I almost wish there was a broken bone so I would know that was it and something could be done. Instead we wait.

Cooper is supposed to be resting and no perches. Of course Cooper is not following the doctors orders and still climbs up the bars of the cage. :roll:

On a side note - While at the vet there was a little boy who noticed Cooper and was interested. "That's a mask lovebird" he told his mom. They were to take home their baby lovebird who was in for a month being nursed to health. He made a card for his "fancy lovebird" complete with a drawing of his bird. Sooo cute!

[Elle]

I'm sorry to hear about Cooper being lame. I hope they find out what is going on . With other anymals, bacterial infections can cause lameness but it's so hard to diagnoser properly and also to treat. I don't know what could cause that in a lovebird at that age. My heart is with you on that one. I really hope that Cooper will recover soon.
And yeah! Godd luck getting a two year old to sit still! :lol

Regards,

[Janie]

Hi Brownyn,

I'm so sorry to hear that Cooper is having trouble with his foot. I do hope it's something that will heal, please keep us posted. I can't imagine trying to keep an active lovie quiet! :eek: Hang in there.....sounds like you're doing everything you can to take good care of him. :)

[bellarains]

Hey Bronwyn,

If Cooper is climing too much, you can put him in a big aquarium for awhile, so that he can not use his foot. They do make hospital cages, but an aquarium works well also. you will have to keep the paper changed in the bottom often, but it will keep him off his feet so to speak.

While he is recouping, take inventory of what's in his cage, and anything you think he may have caught his foot on, take it out. If you have any comfy perches, inspect them good to make sure there are no loose threads, and trim any up if needed. If Cooper has a cozy, turn it inside out and check the inside of it also to make sure he has not chewed a hole in it, or there are not loose threads on it also.

When Lacey broke her toe, the vet told me to massage it twice a day to keep good circulation. I'm not sure if this is needed in Cooper's case, but you might ask your vet about that also.

I hope the little guy gets better soon. It sure is heartbreaking when our little one's are just not 100%. Let us know how he's doing.

[Kathryn]

Bronwyn, So sorry to hear Cooper is under the weather.

With Cutie's foot, the vet had me use Vitamin E oil on it. It comes in gelcaps and you can prick it with a pin and squeeze out a little at a time to do the massage. Although he lost three toenails, he still has all his digets and climbs and perches just like it is a whole footsy.

Here's a thought: Chickens get something called Bumblefoot...an infection in the foot pads. Is the underside of Cooper's foot kind of puffy looking? (A tiny lovebird foot would be harder to examine than a big chicken foot:whistle: ) A shot of pennicillin is the cure for that.

Hope Cooper recovers quickly. Keep us posted on his progress.

[Cooper]

Cooper is hanging on (well not with the left foot so much). I picked her up with a perch yesterday and she wrapped her foot around it a little more than before. I've put in some "platforms" up near the top where she likes to be and her food is close by. She's millking it now and hopefully won't become too accustomed to me serving her water (instead of climbing down and to get it). Tomorrow I have to call the vet to check in.

Thanks for all the caring responses!