Treating under wing and feet burns?

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm really hoping it's the feather loss. Now that I've calmed down (seriously - do NOT ask your local bird keepers. They'll terrify and judge you forever) I can judge things better. He's up and walking again. I'm thinking that he dodged a serious problem yet again. I'll make a run to the store and pick up some ointment just in case, though.

From now on he's a cage bird. He got out a few days ago in a freak accident. Chased him for three hours before he took off for good. Just as the freezing temps were coming in he came back. He was sighted half a mile away from me. Then his mate died. Now he's trying to toast himself. Never had a problem before this week!

I'm sorry.
Keep us posted on how he's doing.

I'm sure you do this already, but do the best you can keeping his bedding clean/dry. If his feet are burned, then getting them soiled might complicate matters.

 

[Tatuana]

I'm sorry.
Keep us posted on how he's doing.

I'm sure you do this already, but do the best you can keeping his bedding clean/dry. If his feet are burned, then getting them soiled might complicate matters.

Luckily since Jazzie lived on the floor I keep his cage very clean. I'll go over his perches again to be sure. I really, really hope this was a false alarm! Sheesh. If it turns out to be nothing, thanks for listening to me panic!

 

[kcan2]

I'm really hoping it's the feather loss. Now that I've calmed down (seriously - do NOT ask your local bird keepers. They'll terrify and judge you forever) I can judge things better. He's up and walking again. I'm thinking that he dodged a serious problem yet again. I'll make a run to the store and pick up some ointment just in case, though.

From now on he's a cage bird. He got out a few days ago in a freak accident. Chased him for three hours before he took off for good. Just as the freezing temps were coming in he came back. He was sighted half a mile away from me. Then his mate died. Now he's trying to toast himself. Never had a problem before this week!

It sounds like he has been feisty this week! "Trying to toast himself" made me laugh! The things pets put us through smh...

 

[Tatuana]

Update: I was feeding him today and found a wound on his foot. He's got crusty blood on it. Is there anything specific I should do to clean it/watch out for?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update: I was feeding him today and found a wound on his foot. He's got crusty blood on it. Is there anything specific I should do to clean it/watch out for?

I would clean them - you can use hibiclens, soap/water or saline - get some photos if you can.
Do you have any type of ointment? Since it's likely from being burned, I would Silvadene ointment. If you can't get that, then Vetericyn or triple antibiotic ointment could be used.
Is the wound ooozing? Normally I don't like wrapping wounds, but since it's the foot, that may be needed to help keep the ointment on and keep the feet clean, no matter how hard you try to keep bedding clean they inevitably will step right in fresh poop LOL

 

[CJLR]

Im not that familiar with pet birds
But if he was mine i would put coconut oil on it

 

[Tatuana]

I would clean them - you can use hibiclens, soap/water or saline - get some photos if you can.
Do you have any type of ointment? Since it's likely from being burned, I would Silvadene ointment. If you can't get that, then Vetericyn or triple antibiotic ointment could be used.
Is the wound ooozing? Normally I don't like wrapping wounds, but since it's the foot, that may be needed to help keep the ointment on and keep the feet clean, no matter how hard you try to keep bedding clean they inevitably will step right in fresh poop LOL

I'll check for ointment. I *should* but I'm in the middle of packing. Everything is chaos. This is the best I could get of his foot. It's the entire backside of his toe. It's crusty with blood, but not weeping.

Good news is it's not annoying him toooo much. He still tried to eat my very expensive laptop.

 

[CindyinSD]

If he were human and I didn’t have sylvadine or some other doctor recommended ointment, and it didn’t seem infected, I would keep it clean (and dressed to protect it (if possible)) and not do anything. Fats can make it hurt worse. If the burn is fresh they can exacerbate the damage, but it sounds like you’re past that. If you do use any commercial ointments, make sure they do not contain pain killers. Analgesics can be dangerous to chickens, so best not take any chances on them with your cockatiel.

From what you say, it doesn’t sound like you need to worry too much over the burns. He should heal up on his own. His poor little broken heart might be another matter. It may be advisable to eventually consider getting him another companion, even if not a sweetheart, but my knowledge of cockatiels is at best limited.

 

[Tatuana]

If he were human and I didn’t have sylvadine or some other doctor recommended ointment, and it didn’t seem infected, I would keep it clean (and dressed to protect it (if possible)) and not do anything. Fats can make it hurt worse. If the burn is fresh they can exacerbate the damage, but it sounds like you’re past that. If you do use any commercial ointments, make sure they do not contain pain killers. Analgesics can be dangerous to chickens, so best not take any chances on them with your cockatiel.

From what you say, it doesn’t sound like you need to worry too much over the burns. He should heal up on his own. His poor little broken heart might be another matter. It may be advisable to eventually consider getting him another companion, even if not a sweetheart, but my knowledge of cockatiels is at best limited.

I can't find any of the medication, stupidly. I'm right in the middle of packing to move countries, so it's a mess. I do have to run to Walmart today. Maybe they might have something? It resembles a wound on his poor toe. He's not picking at it, luckily.

Ugh. I feel useless. All these suggestions and I keep going "nope. Nope. Nope." Promise I'm working on taking care of him, not just making excuses! Today I'm going to disinfect his cage to the best of my ability for germs. Prying him out of the cage is a pain at the moment. I'm ashamed to say I'm putting it off. If I have to I'll park on Walmart's floor with my cell and research the entire pharmacy area. I feel bad enough that I missed the burn the first time around.

His broken heart is slowly healing, luckily. He's freaking out still (will NOT leave his cage) but managing. I got a lot of advice for how to deal with that. He's been listening to bird song, getting treats, lots of bonding time. He's stopped screaming finally! I have a parakeet that will end up keeping him company. A cockatiel buddy isn't a good idea at the moment. My husband is dying of brain cancer, hence the country moving. I wouldn't be able to give them the love they deserve. Giles is lucky he can stay with my Mom, who he also loves.



We put up a curtain between the living room, where he stays, and the kitchen, where he wants to become BBQ dinner. We also put up two curtains by the front door - one inside and one outside - so he won't escape again.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm so very sorry you are going through all this. I cannot imagine how heartbreaking and overwhelming it must be.

Yes, you should be able to find something at Walmart. Since the wound looks to be scabbed over, a bit of Neosporin will do the trick. It will help with healing and also help any covering from sticking to the wound as much. The wound does not look too bad, you have given him good care - the foot is clean looking too. Covering it may help with keeping it clean, but he seems like a character, so he might like picking at the wrapping so look out for that.

Please let us know how he does when you have time. I will keep you in my thoughts.