CAT ATTACKED COCKATIEL, Broken leg!

[randall1514]

Last night our cockatiel, Sassafrass got out and the cat attacked her. Her leg is broken, and she has some bite marks on her butt, her wing and her head. (Nothing that needed stitching though) I rushed her to an emergency visit to the vet. She gave her some baytril and some pain killer medicine and taped her leg. We did not have xrays done. There are two issues at hand with this tragedy though...1. the expense vs. the longterm effect and 2. I think that the vet was intoxicated and was further injured my bird while taping the leg. She actually cut one of her toes...I yelled that she had her toe in the scissors....the ones that cinch and cut....she was pinching her toe in the cinching part until the toe cut and bled. I pointed it out and she said it was fine. She then gave me Baytril for the bites and some pain killer for the suffering....and sent me home. She wanted to do a cast with xrays, and we just can't afford it....we spent $250 there yesterday just for what we got...however, I need some advice on if the bird will be ok with a taped broken leg, hopefully in the right place and the meds that she is on. I have another appt with a different vet tomorrow to evaluate her and the meds....that will help with the determination, but still want somebodys opinion on my next move with little money left in the bank to do it with.....HELP!!! thank you.

[Candycane]

First of all, are you sure that it's broken? An X-ray is usually used to confirm if the leg is broken and where it is.

I would inquire with the vet about payment plans. It really is unfair to the bird to not treat this properly because it could cause a lot of pain and suffering...and possibly, not a fully functioning leg. If the break requires a cast and you are not willing to pay it, I would ask the vet about euthanasia. If it were me, I would find a way to do it. Ask your friends, family, etc. if they can help out. But a vet with payment plans is probably going to be best.

[randall1514]

Yes, its broken, at least that is what the vet said and also, it is floppy and sideways... dangling. Not only can we not afford the cost of having all that done, I know my husband would not be in favor of letting me borrow beg, plead or finance a surgery for a bird that he thinks we shouldn't spend more than double than what we bought it for. I know it sounds bad, but he is more about the money and not about the heart and I am. I do want to do all I can, but don't know what to do without causing more arguements with he and I over the cost. Is there a chance that the leg wont heal at all? Is that painful? Would euthenasia be better at that point? I need someone's advice as i take this path of major decisions with Sass. I thank you.

[Mygala]

Depending on the circulation, there is the chance the leg won't heal. That is NOT the end of the world for your cockatiel. I have seen several one-legged 'tiels, and they all did amazingly well. Just wait it out and see.

I would be much more concerned with the effect of the bite. Cat bites can have some nasty bacteria in them that birds have a hard time fighting off. If you notice and unusual redness or swelling around the bite, or any signs of infection, call a vet. Every major city in IN should have a couple of avian vets, if you aren't happy with the one you went to, try another.In Northern IN, I know that Chicago has quite a few, and if you are in Southern In, there are some across the river in Louisville.

Let us know how the little guy does..

[randall1514]

Thank you very very much for the reply. I appreciate you taking the time to do that. It's encouraging about the leg because I was afraid that that might be too much of an issue and would be too painful for her and we'd have to put her to sleep. I am glad to hear that it's not the end of the world. I would much rather have her, than not have her, but wanted to make sure that she wasn't suffering. Her appt is set with another aviary vet tomorrow, so I will keep you updated. Again, thanks!

[randall1514]

Well her cast has come off, and the meds have been stopped for a week or so now. She is doing wonderfully! She started by walking very gingerly across the floor of the cage and then day by day she was looking prettier and happier and chirping more and more. She is now perching on all different levels in her cage, using her beak to climb from perch to perch. Her tail feathers seem to be coming back in and she is high tailing it across the floor (with cat put away of course) when we let her out. I thank all of you for your help. I really think that she is gonna do great!

[Crittercall]

Sitting up late w/nothing to do but lurk around the board.......I'm so glad that this came out okay. Baytril was the first medicine that I thought about for the bird and they absolutely hate the taste and you get as much of it as they do, but it works. I'd have been really hesitant if the vet had told me to give the bird injections. You hit and air sack and that's it!

If you think the vet was drinking I'd address that matter now, even though the bird appears to be doing fine and everything came out okay in the end. Most ER Vet Clinics are run by a group of local veterinarians with the vets who worked there hired - just like you are hired to work somewhere. If you can find out who is on the board of the clinic start a letter writing campaign to each one of them about the situation, how you were treated, etc. Maybe they'll be willing to return your pay or give you services for a lower cost in the future. Don't hurt to try!

Glad everything turned out okay. All birds, if we are bird people, have a way of winding their way into our hearts.

Critter

[Mygala]

I'm glad things are healing up too!

I had begun to fear the worst when we hadn't heard anything for so long.

You did a great job randall, you should be proud!

Cheers!

[randall1514]

So sorry that it did indeed take me that long to get a update post on. I had so much that had happened those few weeks that I lost track of time. I appreciate all your thoughts and advice on Sass. Thanks!

[Crittercall]

How well I know the feeling of losing track of time!

Glad everything is going well for you and the 'tiel. Pictures next time!!!

Critter

[jenjen716]

except it was my dog, a Lhasa Apso, that did the damage. We had Toby at the vet yesterday and he did xrays. Sure enough, it's broken. He has his leg taped (the vet suggested putting a pin in it for $800! Just couldnt afford that) He seems to be doing fine. He's eating normally, but he's quiet. I miss his chirping....hopefully he'll be noisy again soon! Reading this thread gave me hope that he'll be fine.

[Crittercall]

Did the vet mention anything about taking out the birds perches and playthings until he/she is better? Just makes sense to me - otherwise you are running a risk of the bird getting on a high perch and not being able to control that leg properly and taking a nose dive to the bottom of the cage.

I'm not trying to sound pessimistic (worked in vet clinics and at an aviary too long!), but what other instructions did the vet give you as far as what kind of care to give the bird now? The lack of "talking" is probably due to being in a bit of pain. Make sure that the bird stays good and warm (is it all fluffed out or are the feathers laying down like normal?).

I just hate it when something happens to one of the critters! And I just go overboard when something happens. One of my dogs has FAD really bad, so of course I've got a million fleas in my house and she scratches constantly. I had an argument earlier this week with my vet over what to give the dog for all the scratching. He finally gave in and gave her what I wanted, but I hate to have to argue with him!

I think all of my dogs (and the cat) are pretty much afraid of the birds. Could be because we burst out yelling at them if one of the birds lands on the floor. And it only takes one good peck from the Eclectus to know who is boss in that group!

Hope everything goes well with the bird. Keep us updated as you have time.

Critter

[jenjen716]

Yes, all his perches are floor level. So are his food and water dishes. The vet also gave us extra tape to cover what he chews. He was afraid a collar would just make him even more miserable. |He actually chirped and talked to me a little this morning, and he took a nap on my chest...awww. I think he'll be just fine. Thanks for the reply. I'm going to try to attach a photo taken just a little while ago. I hope it works.
ttul
Jen

[Crittercall]

Sorry to question you so much - I'm an over-protective Mom!!

He's a beautiful bird and looks great! I'm glad he's talking to you and found comfort in being close to you. Good signs. I'll be thinking about both of you.

My daughter is giving their cockatiel back to me (I hand-raised him a couple of years ago and with two kids she doesn't have time to do anything with him now). He's in Chattanooga at my Mom's since we didn't get to go up there for Christmas and my Mom has him eating all kinds of table foods, etc., that he wouldn't eat before. She's spoiling him before I can! We're going up ASAP to get him because Mom's bird is a female and already lays eggs like crazy. We don't want them getting a whiff of a bird of the other sex!

Keep us updated. You're doing a great job.

Critter

[jenjen716]

I don't mind all the questions at all. It helps to talk to someone who has bird experience.
I'll keep updating as often as I can. If there's any other advice you can offer, you can always email me directly at rednecgrl71@msn.com.
Thanks for caring. Talk to you soon.
Jen