Taking Care of Sick Bird (Guinea with poopy butt)

[tennesseekorn]

Hi - I am looking for some good information and/or links on how best to care for a bird that is unable to stand. I have a 8 month old guinea hen that was hurt by my rooster as he was trying to mount her a few days ago. I suspected she had an injured wing but today I also noticed that she is missing part of her claw on one of her feet. She is not able to stand and I have her in the guinea house in a dog crate with straw so she is safe from the other birds. I tend to her several times a day.

She is eating and drinking and seems pretty alert. She tries to get up but she just can't do it yet. She seems to be getting better over the past few days but I am concerned about her butt getting all covered in poop since she cannot stand. I have been trying to keep this as clean as possible but today it is getting pretty nasty and stinky.

I have read to trim the butt feathers and also to soak her butt in warm water to clean it. I think dipping her butt in warm water and trying to clean it off and dry it good is going to be my next attempt. Is there anything else that can be done or does anyone have an alternative method? Thanks!

Sorry I posted this in the wrong place - I've tried to edit and post as a new topic and not a reply but no luck.

 

[ICallMyselfCherie']

Hi there, Tennesseekorn.

It sounds like you're doing a good job, and it's great she looks like she's doing better. And yes, you'll want to keep on top of that poopy butt situation so you don't get maggots.

But I'm wondering, can you see the injury on her leg/foot? I mean, the part of the claw that is missing -- is there an injury there? You'll probably want to clean that and maybe bandage it if there is.

Other than that, you sound like you're doing well. Keep giving her lots of rest, keep her warm and away from the other birds, and keep her butt clean. I'd just keep the possiblilty of a vet in mind in case she isn't much better soon. If you can afford it, they might be able to help the injured foot/leg.

BTW,

I wish it were better circumstances.

 

[tennesseekorn]

Update on this guinea: After about a week or so of "guinea-hospital" and daily rinse off's of the poopy butt, she began to bounce back and was up and running around. I was able to put her back in the "general population" and she was doing ok for a while and then back to resting much of the day and not moving around too much. She was going outside but limping and then mostly resting. I put her back in the guinea hospital and further inspected the foot. Her claws were starting to grow out croocked so I trimmed those thinking it was causing her pain, I soaked her foot in epsom salt and applied neosporin for what I thought was infection. After about of day of no improvements I took her into the vet. She checked her foot and said to keep the neosporin on and also gave me a Banamine injections to give her once a day.

It has been a couple of days and she is moving around more than she was but she is still not standing on the foot. She scoots with the good foot and her beak and just kind of drags the bad foot. She can grip with the toes but she has been laying in a position that seems to be giving her a splayed out leg. I am worried about this leg and it becoming deformed. I asked the vet if it would be a good idea to splint the leg to help keep it straight and she said no. I am not 100% confident in my vet as this point. I learned she holds a vet degree from St. Kitts. At any rate, I am looking at this birds' leg and thinking this just doesn't look right. Has anyone had a similar situation? This has been going on for a long while and I am worried about the bird but also don't want to put time and money into a bird that isn't going to be able to stand. I have no idea what to do next besides take her back to the vet and say "now what?"I am thinking it is more like the leg than the toe, but still have no idea. She has cried out more this time around than she did the first time around. She has lost weight as well but is eating and drinking still. I don't want my bird to suffer. Thanks