My old cockatiel won't put weight on his right leg. Is it an injury?

You really should get him to your vet for an exam. Gout is a very strong possibility. Gout is the accumulation of uric acid crystals in body tissues, especially the joints. Gout can cause difficulty perching due to painful swollen joints. It is a common problem in pet birds, although it is different than the disease in people. In birds, gout is often associated with kidney failure and treatment aims to address both the painful joints and the underlying disease. Other conditions can also cause a bird to have a weakened grip. Arthritis can affect the toes. Many birds develop a foot infection called pododermatitis or “bumble foot”. Nutritional deficiencies will play a role in the development of many of these conditions. Make sure your bird has no exposure to lead or zinc. Some neurologic problems cause similar signs and should be ruled out. In addition, older birds may develop tumors that will impact the ability to walk or stand. As you can see, any number of conditions can result in his difficulty with his feet. I would recommend that you start by having a physical examination performed by a veterinarian experienced with treating birds. Your veterinarian will evaluate him and make treatment recommendations based on the diagnosis.

While not having a leg won't stop his ability to breed, it would probably be best not to put extra stress on him since he is already missing a leg. If he can't get around well either, it may be best to keep him housed in his own cage, especially while he heals, to avoid other birds picking on him and worsening his injury. Providing a cage with wide, flat perches and shallow food and water dishes can help him get around a bit more easily while he recovers and learns to live with one leg.

Hi, It sounds like Elliot most likely did have a fall or get his leg stuck in cage bars. A dislocation or fracture sounds possible based on what you have described, and unfortunately this is somewhat common in birds, especially young birds as the supporting structures of he developing bones are still soft. Even though he is still eating well, Elliot is most likely in significant pain from his injury and should have some pain medication prescribed. Also, his best chance at having the injury corrected so it can heal in proper alignment will be in the hands of a veterinarian. So a visit to your veterinarian is the best thing for Elliot right now. Make sure he keeps eating and is maintaining weight, as good nutrition will be the foundation of his ability to heal. Good luck!

Poor Turri! It sounds as if the injured toe/foot is causing him some distress and pain which could be why he is showing other symptoms of illness. If he is limping and also acting ill, it would be best to bring him to a vet ASAP so that the foot can be examined and treated, and any other underlying conditions ruled out to help get him feeling better. Until you can get to your vet, keeping him warm, with low, flat perches that are easy to stand on and food and water dishes that can easily be climbed in and out of may help make him more comfortable.

Thanks for reaching out about Kiwi and including a photo. Could she be egg bound? That will often place pressure on the nerves going to the leg. Calcium deficiencies can manifest in bone and/or nerve problems. A radiograph is recommended to assess bone density and if egg bound. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give aid. Removing perches and placing a soft towel on the bottom of the cage can also give comfort. Good luck.

I'm sorry to hear Baby got so startled! I would examine the wing he is chewing on/having trouble with to check for any injuries or wounds that may be obvious, and also limit his activity for a day to see if it helps with any minor injuries. If you suspect the wing is broken or there is a broken or torn blood feather, seeking veterinary care right away is best for treatment.

Your cockatiel's wing may be broken-0 it is hard to say. If he is holding it at an unusual angle or the end is bent, that is a sign it is broken. It could just be badly bruised. A vet can give you meds to help reduce the pain and swelling and take an xray to see if is broken. Young birds can heal well but they may need a little bandage to hold the bones in the correct place