Why is my parakeet lethargic, can't walk, and has no foot grip?

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.

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 your parakeet and including photos. The feet deformities are likely developmental problems but could also have an underlying viral etiology. Same for the feather loss. A veterinary visit could help with some diagnostics but keep this bird separated from other, if viral could be contagious. 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.

It looks injured indeed, it's probably not broken but it is painful and probably inflamed. you need to take Romeo to an avian vet ASAP in order to get it checked and treated, he will need anti inflammatories at the very least.

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.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Greenna! I can definitely see how her foot is bent inwards, with the claw somewhat contracted. This can be caused by many conditions, but unfortunately, she needs to be seen by vet to figure out what is going on and get some treatment options. This can be caused by nerve damage, a fracture, or a systemic infection, among several other conditions. I hope this helps!