My cockatiel has a sore foot and missing nail. Should I see a vet?

Poor Melvin! A photo would help me see the damage to the nail, and I would be happy to offer you a consultation and let you know what I think after seeing a picture. It sounds like Melvin damaged the quick, or the small blood vessel that goes down the center of the nail. This is initially painful, so Melvin may need to see a vet to get some parrot-friendly pain medication, especially if you notice that he is not placing the foot normally. Do not be alarmed if the nail falls off, or if there is a small amount of blood if the scab falls off. I hope this helps and would be happy to give you more information in a consultation.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can see that Baby is missing a toe nail and that the toe is swollen. There is a little bit of caked on feces, but the toe itself is swollen. It is also concerning that the nail has come off and that the toe itself is somewhat gray, as this can be a sign of necrosis, or tissue death. This may have been caused by increased pressure on the foot, so you should definitely try to keep a variety of perches in the cage. This may have been due to trauma from Baby's previous environment, so you should keep a close eye on the area, and have her seen by a vet if the gray color begins to spread. I hope all is well!

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.

I am concerned that your lovebird has an infection in the foot or in the joints of the foot. Sometimes if the infection becomes severe can spread into the bone which makes it very painful and more difficult heal. I would recommend taking your bird to be examined by your veterinarian. She may need to do x-rays to determine the extent of the infection and see if it has traveled into the bone. Your bird will likely need to be put on an antibiotic for a while to help clear up the infection as well. Your veterinarian can also prescribe pain medication so your lovebird can be more comfortable while the infection is healing. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Violet. Black spots under the nail (sub-keratin) can often result from bleeding (hemorrhage) with the possibility of liver disease resulting in blood clotting problems. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Liver disease can be serious and manifest in other problems. Veterinary treatment early in the disease process has an improved prognosis. Causes can be bacterial, viral, dietary and other. Good luck.

A visit to the veterinarian would be prudent to diagnosis infection or injury. It is possible she may have caught it on the cage, in a toy or food bowl. Check her toenails as well. If they are too long, it can make moving and perching difficult or uncomfortable.

Poor Abood! You didn't mention if you received these medications from a vet, but if they were home remedies and haven't helped, it's time to visit one. It's possible there is an infection in the foot that needs to be drained, or a break or sprain of the foot itself that requires treatment. In the meantime, if you suspect an infection, Epsom salt soaks can help, as can removing all perches (to prevent a fall) and making food/water dishes easy to get in and out of so Abood isn't trying to use the foot to get around which may cause more injury. Soft bedding at the bottom of the cage can help keep him comfortable. However, seeking out a vet in person that can examine the foot, X-ray if needed, and provide additional treatment is best.