[richmothy]

Good morning everyone.

We adopted Kakashi, our little bird with one leg (that was apparently bitten off by a hawk or something of that sort) and he’s been happily hopping around on that one leg for a year.

Recently we’ve noticed he’s using his beak much more to manoeuvre around, so we decided to take him to the vet to have everything checked out.

He can still grip with the foot, he’s able to climb around his cage using his foot and beak, but the vet has suggested he may have arthritis.

We’ve just dropped him off at the vet to have general anaesthetic and x-rays taken of his foot, and she’s suggested that if he does have arthritis and it’s quite bad, we would have to consider euthanasia..

We’re in bits and absolutely do not want to put him to sleep if we can help it and still give him quality of life- we absolutely LOVE the little guy.

Can anyone offer any advice / previous experience in dealing with anything similar?

Thanks so much,

Rich :grey tiel:

 

[Tishrickards]

No real advice, as I have no experience with handicapped birds. But we rescued a very young puppy that the vet recommended putting down due to her severe hip displacement. We decieded to take it day by day and gave her non-prescription joint medication. She is seven years old, happy, gently active, and a wonderful companion. Do what you feel is right.

 

[PinkysMom]

You are going to have to feel this one out, no easy answers. But you will do what is right for your little guy. He may surprise everyone.

Be concerned with his comfort and life quality foremost, and see where that leads you. A bird has to be able to get around. Birds and humans have very different priorities. What is good for us---gives us comfort---may not be enough to make life good for them. Trust yourselves to observe him and figure out what he needs and be honest with yourselves about it. He's doing his best every day and he's depending on you for this.

No easy answers. My heart goes out to you.

 

[tielfan]

It may help to provide a padded area where he can basically "sit down" and not have to stand on that one foot all the time. A variety of perches may help too so he's using the foot in different ways when he is standing up. Rope perches are often recommended for arthritic birds because they're softer and more comfortable than hard perches.