splayed twisted leg

[Charis]

Originally Posted by Jay3

Would you believe.........................that as well as he was wrapped up, which was done because he pushed up with his head and wings, and got out of the basket, that during the night, he still got out of the basket! Not only did he get out, but he then got out of the stocking that he was in, and managed to get to the side of the cage, move the bumper, and go up against the cage where the bottom pulls out from, and wedge his wing in between the bars. All this had to be done with that bad leg, which he uses like an arm and hand. He can push with it to balance, which is how he must have gotten out of the basket, And that is the only way he could have gotten out of the stocking. He would have had to hook onto it with the claws on that foot, and pull on it. The stocking was beside him on the floor of the cage. He was miserable, and very upset. That bad leg is soooo strong, as he used it constantly to get around and grab things with, that what he can do with it is just amazing. It was strong enough to pull it back where he likes it, along with the good leg. So that they were both going toward the right side. I was questioning whether it hurt him to bring it in to wrap it. I could have tried to devise something to suspend him from, but the whole thing would have had to be re-wrapped, and that bad leg is still strong enough to pull to the side anyway, and pull the good leg with it. The vet thought it doubful that at this stage it would make a difference, and I have to agree with her that it was probably too late to do it that way. So why put him through that for three weeks when it probably wasn't going to help him. I took the tape off. I think that if it could be corrected, it would have to be by surgery. Don't know if we can go there. But I'll call the vet and talk about it anyway. For now, he is as he was, but surprisingly enough, he seems very content that way. He can't walk, but he does get around in his own weird little way, and I have been holding him up so that he can take off, and he is learning to fly. Actually, he's doing well in that department, and learning to land on that good leg. Maybe he will strengthen it, to the point where he can get up on it to take off, or learn to stand on it. I don't know. But he loves people, and loves to be held, or just sitting at the computer with me. And I thought, before I ever met him that he couldn't possibly have any quality of life with his legs that way, but actually, he is pretty content. He moves around the cage, eats and drinks on his own, and spends a lot of time out of the cage. And loves to fly. And, as was pointed out to me, he doesn't really know any better. So any ground we make is an improvement. And we have just fallen in love with him, so he's home. He will stay here and be our little house pigeon. And we'll work on improving things for him, and trying to strengthen that other leg. Jodi, as far as your question, the leg was splayed, the twisting of the muscles came about because of the way he uses the foot on that leg to grab things with. He did that to balance and get around. He twisted it to use it to his advantage. So even with the leg brought back in, the foot would have turned out some.

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[altgirl35]

i think your right, i thought it probably hurt to be hobbled, i tried the sock also and he got out of it in no time, i actually ended up using a figure 8 wrap on both wings with cotton and vet wrap then wrapping the wings to his body, i felt so bad.
then i had him in a big rubbermaid tub with enough rolled towels to keep him up high enough so his legs would be straight down and tucked in tight so he wouldn't pull the good leg back with his bad leg.
sometimes it's their imperfections that make them absolutely perfect, he's one of the sweetest babies i have ever met and he don't care that he has a bum leg, like i said he can wave hello to everybody as he fly's by.
give him a big kiss for me and tell him i love him

[Jay3]

Jodi, I told him you said "Hi". He's a very determined little guy. Last night, after holding him up and encouraging him to fly, he wanted to do more. He was on Dons lap, and he kept trying to get up on that good leg so that he could take off. He pushes with the out stretched leg, and he actually got up on the good leg for a few seconds. He did this a few times. I'm afraid if the leg was removed, and he didn't learn to balance or get up without it, then we'd be taking more from him. You had mentioned that before. Whether taking it off would actually help or hurt him. Anyway, it's a beautiful day here, and later on we'll be outside enjoying the sun. He loves going outside. I'm sure glad you emailed me, rather than putting him down.

[altgirl35]

oh he would still be in the rehab room, lol, and i would still be saying "allright!! one more week!! you need to stand up!"
my daughter would still be snuggling him after tubby time as i would, this baby was not going to be euthed, even though part of me thought he should, but my heart couldnt do it, he was just to sweet and seemed like he didn't care about his disability, i just worried about the poop being on him and the possibility he could start getting infections from it, if that happened then i would have to rethink everything.
i knew i had to find someone who was willing to put the work in to keep him healthy, and could afford what he needed, and i knew once the baby season started next year i wouldn't be able to do it so living with me wasn't the right place for him,
i'm so glad i found this site and you, i'm so happy to have an alternative for these sweet birds when they can't be released, this is success story number 2, clipper who was taken in by wolfwood was the first, i hope i don't have any more, but i betcha i will, i only wish i could do it for all the birds i get
he would have been moved to the living room, i had a big parrot cage ready for him, i don't like having any birds in that room cause that's where i like to smoke (i know i need to stop but it's the only thing that keeps me sane during baby season) when i finally get to plant my butt on the couch at night.
i'm so glad he's standing a little on that leg, i was doing some physical therapy by working his good leg a for a little while everyday, holding his back against my chest and doing the bicycle, grip and un grip, bend unbend, don't know if that actually will do any good but it was worth a shot

[Jay3]

I'm going to try to fix up something to suspend him by my computer, as I'm on a lot, and he loves keeping us company. If he is on his tummy all the time, the good leg will contract. Can't let that happen. He can keep me company for a while each day, and get off that leg. Also, it might help him to strengthen it, by pushing down on it. I'll make it so that his foot reaches the desk, so that he can stand on it. Any other ideas would be welcomed.

[altgirl35]

thats a good idea!!

[altgirl35]

make a little bar bell for him to lift, lol

[altgirl35]

does he have a name yet??

[Jay3]

Originally Posted by altgirl35

does he have a name yet??

Not really. Don likes Jake, but that is a strong name, and VERY male. I'm not sure this isn't a little girl. As h/she is so sweet and gentle. When we put our hands near him, gently preens all along your hand and wrist. Don't know if a male handicapped in this way would respond to a mirror or not, but this one doesn't seem to at all. So something generic would be safer, but just haven't settled on one yet. Has to suit him/her.

[altgirl35]

how bout sam, that was the name of the first bird i fell head over heels in love with, you can read about her on my website below CAwild birds.
jack would be cool cause you can change it to jacky, he was found at the paint factory in gloucester but i can't find a name in that, but it's on the water.
and of course baby is what i have called him, besides my little gimpy but those names are not so dignified, i call all the piji's baby if they are babies, unless they have something that makes them stand out

[Jay3]

Thanks. LOL. As far as Sam, that's cute, as it can be for male or female Sammy or Samantha. I already have a rescue named Sammy, and his son is Samson (Sams son). Thought that was cute. But I always shorten names to call them, so half the time, they both end up Sammy.

[altgirl35]

how's our baby doing now?? i still miss him

[Jay3]

Doing great! Loves to be out with us. Loves to fly, and his/her favorite seed is safflower. LOL. Still don't know whether it is a male or female. Sometimes coos softly to us. Likes to look at his reflection in the mirror, but doesn't react to it. Just sits and looks at it. Gets all over his cage with that little leg which is very much like a hand. Doesn't care for the therapy on his good leg, but then who does? Likes to be snuggled. Preens a lot, and likes to preen me. He's very interested in everything that goes on, and likes sitting on the lap of anyone who visits. Adorable little bird. We just love him, if it is a him. I'll tell him that you asked for him. I'm sure he'll be pleased.

[altgirl35]

hows he doing with landing

[Jay3]

Originally Posted by altgirl35

hows he doing with landing

He lands on his feet, then tries to stand, but loses his balance, and then ends up sitting down. He does try to get up on his feet, so that he can take off by himself, but that darn leg goes out from under him, so he hasn't mastered getting up. He goes to the edge of the chair and tries to flap to take off by himself, but only ends up fluttering down to the carpet. It frustrating watching him. I feel so bad for the poor little thing. He tries sooo hard.