Hurt Parakeet

[MikasGirl]

I realize a parakeet isn't a chicken, but I didn't know where else to put this... She is an older parakeet that seems to have a hurt leg. She lays on the bottom of her cage with one of her feet hanging behind her. She eats and drinks fine, but the only way she can get around is to fly or to drag herself around with her one good foot. It looks like it hurts her, but there isn't much I can do. I don't want to pick her up because that might frighten her since she is pretty skittish. I'll try to add pictures later. Any help is appreciated, thank you.

 

[tammyd57]

How long has it been like this? Do you have an avian vet close by? If it is a broken bone, it can be very serious as shock can be fatal to small birds. If she isn't used to being handled, don't try it yourself, but take her to the vet in her own cage with a cover over it. Make sure she is not in a draft or chilled at all.

Don't panic but something should be done as soon as possible.

I sure hope she will be okay.

 

[mistyfeather]

i used to raise parakeets, if she is in a traditional wire cage and she is older some times older birds can get their legs cought inbetween the wires and that can result in a broken leg. if she is not used to being handled do NOT move her your self if she has been like that for a while she will go into shok . just cover her cage and take her to an avian vet . tho if you dont have one call a hed to any vet sometimes you will find a vet that will set a broken leg or wing if you dont have any where els to go. just keep her warm and out of drafts, as long as she is eating and drinking she is ok. if you have perches take them out because they sometime will want to try to perch. keep food and water in shalow dishes on the botom of the cage so its easy to get to. they also like being talked to. but do start calling vets asap.

 

[MikasGirl]

Thank you everyone. My only concern is that she lives with my grandparents, and I'm not sure if they would want to pay an expensive vet bill. If they won't I'll probably have to save up money to pay them back later. How much is it usually?

 

[mistyfeather]

it depends on the vet it usualy is to expencive , call around to local vets they usualy dont mind giving you a ball park estimate

 

[tammyd57]

Thankfully, I haven't had any injuries or illnesses with my parakeets. But my parrot was extremely ill once and required hospitalization for 10 days with all kinds of tests and several different antibiotic regimens, and the total cost was under $300, well worth saving his life. He's been my buddy for 22 years.
I imagine an exam and possible treatment for an injured parakeet leg would be a whole lot less than that.

 

[77horses]

I don't have any experience with that, but my family does have Parakeets and I would definitely bring yours to the vet.

Good luck!