okay, I work at a pet store because it's the only place to work in this tiny town... and I went to work to find this beat-up, bloody budgie lying in an aquarium in her blood... they said the other birds had beat her up and chewed her foot up... So I moaned and complained about it just sitting there in an aquarium with nothing, and no help... and they gave her to me.

 

In a few days, she started healing, and the toenails on her previously injured foot began to grow back... but then I woke up this morning, and she'd chewed half her toe off, and there was blood everywhere! And no matter what I do, she keeps chewing... I tried wrapping her foot but nothing would stay on it... she keeps trying to chew it and is making herself bleed... she's starting in on the other toes...

 

There's not a vet ANYWHERE within an 80 mile radius that treats birds, I already called every one in the phone book, and looked online... And the ones far away I can't drive to because my family sucks and won't let me drive their car that far because they don't think the car will make it...

 

So I don't know what to do... she keeps on chewing... I'm trying to watch her and keep her from doing it, but she did the most damage while I was sleeping, and I can't just not go to sleep at night... >X.x;<

 

I'm at the end of my rope here...

 

Help?

I have never heard anything like this before! A budgie chewing her own feet off?! Can you make something like a rounded piece of paper from a cardboard and place it round her neck so that she cannot reach her legs? It has to be big enough though and not interfere with her ability to eat food from dishes?

It sounds urgent, so I would suggest you take her to the local vet. Not ideal, but they could possibly ring an avian vet for advice. Failing you being able to go to the local vet, ring an avian vet and ask for advice yourself. Is there any breeders you know? Ask them. Good luck

Try putting some cornstarch to stop the bleeding. If not, try flour. I hope someone is online to help you with this.

I called all the vets and they will not accept her at all... I hate this town...

 

I'll call the avian vet that's really far away tomorrow when they're open and ask them what to do... our car's being worked on now...

 

I've read that I shouldn't try to put an e-collar on her without professional help because I might hurt her...

 

I'm going to try and talk my family into letting me use the car.... she could die if I can't get her to a vet... >-.-<

 

I even e-mailed a rescue group and asked if they might take her in... I don't know if I can afford the costs of the vet if I can even manage to get her there, but a rescue might.

 

I never anticipated that she'd start chewing her foot off... I've never seen this before either... >;.;<

Good luck. I do very much hope that you will find help for

her. Do keep us updated. Try reading in websites if they mention anything about this. Also, try talking to her soothingly and see if she listens. She might not understand you but no harm in trying to keep her calm.

Poor thing, her foot is obviously hurting her. I can't believe that no vet will treat her! Do you have a vet that you take your other animals to? I would ring them and just make an appointment. When you get there, refuse to leave until they have contacted an avian vet and set up some treatment for this poor bird. Remind the vet that the bird is an animal worthy of treatment, just like a cat or dog. Possibly this bird has an infection, and it needs to be treated NOW.

 

Good luck, you obviously care a great deal. Please let us know what happens. And keep an eye on this site. Someone with more experience than me will be on soon, and might have some suggestions for you.

I think lin is right. She might have an infection that causes her to bchew her feet because it is bothering her. Hope someone with more experiences about this matter will answer to this thread.

This sounds like a terrible situation that you're in :wine .........I don't know what to suggest.

 

Good Luck..... I hope you manage to get the little birdie the help she needs.

There is a vet that I take my dog to, and they are dog and cat only... Tomorrow they are open, and I could try calling and begging them to just look at her and give me suggestions or something, and possibly wrap her foot for me... it needs to be wrapped badly. Then all she'll be chewing is the wrap.

 

Thanks for your support everyone! I'll keep this updated. =3

Edited August 22, 200520 yr by Cheetah

Yes, do that. And ask them to ring an avian vet for you. If some antibiotics can be given, then the problem won't get worse. Our thoughts are with you

Where do you live? If your parents won't take you, can you take a cab or have a friend drive you? I agree that if you just absolutely can't get to an avian vet, get to a normal vet.

 

If it's infected it could lead to a lot of trouble and this doesn't sound good at all. How is the bird otherwise? Have you made arranged the cage to make it easy for her to get around without aggrivating her wound?

Also, I personally would look into reporting the pet store. It was their responsibility to see to it the bird got medical care. They are responsible for all the animals in their care and are obligated to see that they are tended to. I know it may be a sticky situation as you work there. But if they are selling birds, they should have access to an avian vet. At the pet store I go to, if they have a sick bird, they immediatly quarantine it and call the avian vet to schedule an appointment. I've been there when they have done it, everything else goes on hold.

 

Where are you at? Just a general area... Maybe we can help you locate a vet.

 

Risha

I hope you can get her to a vet soon! Poor girl. Please keep us posted.

I live in Sebring, FL. A tiny crappy town in Central FL. It has one Pet Supermarket, one Humane Society which is understaffed, underfunded, and that doesn't do its job, and a few regular vets which seem to be more concerned with selling Science Diet than actually helping animals.

 

I've only been here about 5 months, so I have no friends. There is absolutely no public transportation here either.

 

I've called the Humane Society before about other things... they only answer their phone half the time. I myself have never been able to get an answer. Our neighbor reported some animal abuse when somebody was abusing and starving to death some pitbulls behind her house and they never came out at all. Somebody poisoned some cats, and they never did anything about that either. This Humane Society SUCKS, so if I do call about it, they won't do anything about it. >-.-< I am quitting my job on the 1st though, in case you are wondering (Laughing out loud)... I'll never work for another pet store.

 

I have arranged her perches the best I can and she seems to get around fine in her cage.... but continues chewing... I just spent about an hour watching her and stopped her from chewing like 30 times... >X.x;< I hope she has a foot left when I wake up tomorrow... >;.;<

I hope you're able to at least get her to a regular vet. She really really needs to be seen and the wound needs to be treated. If we can find an avian vet within an hour or two do you think you could have a family member take you?

The closest Avian Vet I could find a listing for was :

 

Timothy Swango

755 W. Central Ave.

Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: 863-676-6176

Fax: 863-679-7516

 

Perhaps you could call?

 

Risha

It has to be close, because my family refuses to let me take the car long distances... they think the car will break down. They won't take me themselves either.

 

I just called the vet again today, and they referred me to a wildlife rehab center, and THEY wouldn't help me either. They said if I wrap the foot she'll just pull it off. They told me to go to the drug store and buy Alum and put it on her foot because it's the most bitter thing they can think of.

 

I woke up this morning and she hadn't chewed her foot, thank god... But she's chewing on it now... *runs to stop her* >-.-<

Other places you might call (SPCA affiliates):

 

Falcon Answering Service

(863) 385-2770

4900 Wilderness Trl

Sebring, FL 33875

 

SPCA Incorporated Animal Shelter

(863) 646-7722

5850 Brannen Rd S

Lakeland, FL 33813

 

 

Heartland Avian Society: 465-9358

 

African Queen Aviary Jean Pattison Lakeland FL (863)686-4532 afqueen@gate.net http://members.tripod.com/The_African_Queen

 

Assorted NAPS June Aviary Maxine June Lake Placid FL (863)465-9358 1@1.com

 

(News Sources)

 

Highlands Today

(863) 382-1164

231 Us Highway 27 N

Sebring, FL 33870

 

 

I hope something here helps.

 

Risha

I just got into a screaming argument with my dad over taking the car to Lake Wales to that vet... I even called them and talked to them, and they said they can't do much over the phone, and they'd have to see the bird's droppings, and possibly be able to keep her there for a while and observe her. It would run me about $100, which I am willing to spend, but my dad won't let me use the car to drive even 45 minutes away to Lake Wales. >;.;< I hate my family...

 

And anywhere in Lakeland is too far. It has to be in Sebring or Avon Park, or I can just forget it.

 

What is "Falcon Answering Service"?

Let us know when you finlly get help and on how she is doing.

I'm not sure what they are, but they came up when I did a search for SPCA and your area.

 

I wish there was more I could do to help you.

Would it be too stressful to take her to work with me in order to keep an eye on her? She does the most damage when I'm sleeping or not here because I can't distract her.

 

I've pretty much run out of other options because my family sucks... 2 more weeks and I'll be moving, and I'll be just 10 minutes away from Alameda East in Denver, and they most definitely treat birds.

Would it be too stressful to take her to work with me in order to keep an eye on her?  She does the most damage when I'm sleeping or not here because I can't distract her.

 

I've pretty much run out of other options because my family sucks... 2 more weeks and I'll be moving, and I'll be just 10 minutes away from Alameda East in Denver, and they most definitely treat birds.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I think 2 weeks is a bit too long for her looking at how severe she is biting her feet now. How long is your journey to work?

At this point I have to suggest that you try and rehome the budgie with someone who can get it to the vet. It's really not fair to keep an animal if you can't properly care for it. I know you love it and care for it, but in the end you have to do what's best for the bird and at this rate she's going to suffer miserably.

 

Maybe you can call that avian vet 45 miles away and see if they can refer you to a bird rescue? Maybe you'd even get lucky enough to find someone who would be willing to drive you to the vet so that you can keep your budgie? I know you've done a lot and that's very admirable but you can't give up, you have to keep trying. If your family won't take you, call around to humane societies or shelters, see if someone there would be kind enough to give you a ride. Maybe even local bird clubs? If you're worried about riding with a stranger maybe they'd just take the bird in for you or you could have a friend or two go with you. And of course, have your parents meet them.

 

Maybe if your parents see the lengths you're going to get the bird to the vet they'll break down and take you themselves?