Red Jake going crazy

[ButchGood]

I have a Bourbon Red jake that did something to his middle toe. I don't know what happened but I took a look at it 2 weeks ago and it didn't look that bad. He was missing some scales in a band all around the toe. It looked like it could have been injured and healed fine. It's just driving him crazy. Instead of eating and getting fat he runs around most of the day high stepping and pecking at the area. Poor guy is running in circles like something keeps grabbing at his toe. He's pecking some much he's created a small raw spot. I've been blue koteing it for a week. Should I wrap it up? I'm afraid that will just make him even more crazy. Or just let it play out and keep blue koteing the toe and hope for the best. It's just painful to watch the poor SOB.

 

[sourland]

Check to see that the toe is still 'alive'. If the injury disrupted circulation to the end of the toe it may be necrotic. If this is the case, the best thing would be to amputate the toe.

 

[ButchGood]

How would I be able to tell?

 

[sourland]

If the toe has turned black and is shriveled and hard it may very well have lost all circulation.

 

[ButchGood]

Tip of the toe to the middle knuckle seems pretty hard, harder than the rest. Not black, but he has pretty dark feet to begin with. It is slightly swollen.

 

[sourland]

If the toe is swollen and puffy, there may still be a chance that it will heal. It sounds as if there is still some circulation getting to the toe.

 

[ButchGood]

I'll give him another week. See how he's doing next weekend. He needs to be eating and getting fat. He's constantly running away from his own foot. Running in circles and biting at the toe. IDK?

 

[ivan3]

Though not recommended in smaller birds (can cause heart attacks), I'd be tempted to spray foot with Bactine (Lidocaine) to rule out some irritation of afferent nerves. If that works, try switching to Durvet's Scarlet Wound Oil Spray (purple not `red') and see if that decreases the activity. Could also try Benadryl spray.

I'd also examine that foot over with a magnifying headset & a good light - wonder about wire/glass etc. (only one foot - no temp difference between feet? ).

 

[TiaRC]

Vet wrap around the toe and up til about mid leg. Don't use bright colored wrap cause everything will mess with it. I think since he is missing scales on his toes that it must feel weird to walk or may hurt.