Curled back toe - help needed

[Selenity]

My indian blue peacock (almost 1 year old) lost his back toe nail a while ago. We noticed he started limping and upon closer view, his back toe is curled inward (see picture). It's not getting better, not sure what I can do to help and should I be worried this can lead to serious problems? I will try to get a better picture when he is back in his run on his perch.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

@casportpony ?

 

[nchls school]

My indian blue peacock (almost 1 year old) lost his back toe nail a while ago. We noticed he started limping and upon closer view, his back toe is curled inward (see picture). It's not getting better, not sure what I can do to help and should I be worried this can lead to serious problems? I will try to get a better picture when he is back in his run on his perch.View attachment 3093210

If the toe is infected it needs to be cleaned and sterilized; antibiotic ointment. I've had success in using superglue as a wound covering. He may be holding the toe inward to relieve pain. Any infection can become serious so this needs to be taken care of ASAP, but I doubt there's reason for any real concern. He will be fine.

Is the toe broke? You may need to split the toe in the right position. If splinted, it will need to be a great job so the peacock can not peck the splint away. Until the wound has a chance to heal over you may want to keep him penned in a very clean environment; a few days.

 

[KsKingBee]

I agree with nchls, there isn't much you can do other than put antibiotic salve on the wound. This is very minor as birds will get a talon caught and ripped off or frostbit and whole toes will drop off without anyone noticing and they heal fine.

 

[Selenity]

Thank you everyone for your response. The nail fell off a while ago and I verified at the time for any blood/wounds and everything seemed fine. It looked healed but with your comments, I'm wondering if it's not? If it was infected, would I see any visuals such as fluids coming from it, gash, etc?

 

[KsKingBee]

If it is scabbed over and dry there is very little to worry about, it is healing. If it is oozing and wet it can pick up more bacteria and should be addressed with antibiotics. All foot wounds will be infected because of the environment they walk in, it can't be helped but they also have an amazing ability to fight off minor infections.

 

[Selenity]

If it is scabbed over and dry there is very little to worry about, it is healing. If it is oozing and wet it can pick up more bacteria and should be addressed with antibiotics. All foot wounds will be infected because of the environment they walk in, it can't be helped but they also have an amazing ability to fight off minor infections.

Ok, it was scabbed over quite some time ago, there didn't seem to be much damage when the nail was lost. So do you think there is anything that can be done for his curled back toe to stop the limping in your experienced opinion?

 

[KsKingBee]

When he got the talon caught and ripped off it probably broke the toe or tore the tendons so it can not control the toe. I doubt it could heal or be fixed at this point. Peas can find a thousand different ways to injure themselves and most of them just live with their disabilities.

 

[Selenity]

When he got the talon caught and ripped off it probably broke the toe or tore the tendons so it can not control the toe. I doubt it could heal or be fixed at this point. Peas can find a thousand different ways to injure themselves and most of them just live with their disabilities.

Thank you for the information! Is it an option to have surgical intervention to remove it so he could walk normal?

 

[nchls school]

Thank you for the information! Is it an option to have surgical intervention to remove it so he could walk normal?

While KsKingsBee could well be correct, I'd still advise that you try splinting the toe as a first option. No point in making the bird more handicapped than necessary as the toe is used when perching, etc.