My budgie's leg is suddenly paralyzed. What's wrong with it?

Thanks for reaching out about Bhola. Weak or paralyzed legs in older parakeets are often associated with renal or gonadal masses that impinge on the nerves that supply the legs. Potent anti-inflammatories might help shrink the masses but probably will not cure. Quality of life should be considered. Good luck.

It is best to move Robin to a separate hospital cage to allow the foot to begin to heal without being picked on by other birds. Providing low, flat perches or no perches at all along with shallow easy to access food and water dishes may help. If there is a visible wound or break, treating the wound or seeking veterinary care to have any broken legs treated is best. If the swelling continues, worsens, or other symptoms of illness appear, seeking vet help ASAP is needed.

Inability to perch and balance are very concerning signs, and seeking vet care is needed to find the problem. Even if the vets in your area do not specialize in birds, seeing if one can still take a look is best. Injury to the legs, illness, malnutrition, stroke and a myriad of other issues can cause balance and perching issues, and they require medical care in person to treat. At home you can try to offer low, flat perches and food and water in shallow dishes that are easy to get in and out of, however seeking veterinary care in person is needed to get Bluey feeling better.

If your bird is paralyzed, it needs to be seen by a veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian. Infection, trauma, tumors, toxins or being egg bound (in females) can all be potential causes. In the meantime, keep Mitthu warm and as stress free as possible. Make an appointment as soon as you can.

Thanks for reaching out about your budgie and including photos. How was the fungal infection diagnosed? Fungal infections usually affect the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts and not neurologic issues. Arthritis or articular gout are possible and radiographs are recommended to assess. Anti-inflammatories could help relieve discomfort but blood work should be taken prior to long term medications. Removing perches or providing broad platforms and climbing ladders, could make perching more comfortable for birds with disabilities. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Bulbul and including photos, although the photos do not include the legs. A loose leg is likely a fracture, dislocation or neurologic problems, each requiring a veterinary visit to treat. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to weak bones, more likely to fracture. Veterinary intervention sooner than later can improve prognosis and recovery. Provide supplemental heat in the 80-85 F range, as young birds have difficulty thermoregulating. Offering food and water via a syringe might give some hydration and energy. Good luck.

In older small birds, strokes can sometimes cause the use of legs and the inability to grip or perch properly. Other potential causes can include calcium deficiency (which if she isn't on a balanced diet may be possible), bacterial infections such as Aspergillosis, viral illnesses, toxins and even diseases contracted from wild birds if Snowy has had access to the outdoors or with wild birds. If you haven't seen an avian vet specialist, or had any blood work done, that may be your next best step in figuring out what is wrong. Changing Snowy's environment some, such as including flatter or platform-like perches may also help with mobility so that she can continue to have access to food and water.