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Hello, looking for possibilities before I contact the ...

Sent to Pet Experts July 28 2006 at 4:00 AM
   

Hello, looking for possibilities before I contact the Vet. Sam, my Cockatiel had a visit to the vet about a week ago for a routine checkup and wing clipping. Rest of that day and the next day he just moped around which I took as him just holding a grudge about his wings being clipped. He is a VERY feisty bird and he let the vet know he didn't approve with getting his wings clipped... Not at all... But on next day when he calmed down, I noticed that he was holding his left wing away from his body and was doing a lot more stretching then normal. His left wing is also trembling. other then this he seems completely normal. Should I be concerned and bring him back for another visit to the vet? What could be some possible causes for his left wing? I understand nor do I expect you to be able to do any sort of diagnosis, but there may be some common causes for this type of symptoms.

Thanks, nelson
nelsoXXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX

 

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Age: 1; Male; Breed: Cockatial

Already Tried:
Observing only/p>

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Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
July 28 2006 at 4:24 AM (24 minutes and 15 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
If he is not holding the wing properly by now he may be injured. This shouldn't occur after having wings clipped. I would have your vet recheck him and let them know that he has been this way since his last visit. They may have held it incorrectly causing some trauma. It is normal for them to be lethargic for 24 hours after the visit but there should not be anything else out of wack. Take him back and if they don't find anything on a physical you might have them do an xray to see if it shows any injury with the bone. I hope he's better soon.

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July 28 2006 at 4:36 AM (12 minutes and 18 seconds later)
         
Reply to Animal Eyes's Post: If he was injured, which could be a possibility since he did put up quite a fuss with getting his wings clipped, wouldn't he be in pain? He is not crying or anything to make me think he was in pain.
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July 28 2006 at 4:50 AM (14 minutes and 9 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi Nelson. One thing you can do yourself is to gently look under the wing. Look at his side to see if there seems to be any rawness or a sore spot in the making. You can also run you fingertips, again gently, along the underside of the wing. You will be feeling for any sharp and/or rough edges left on any of the clipped feathers. If you were observing the wing trim, if the person who did it, cut more than one flight feather at a time, then they did not do it properly. Sometimes a person will think it's okay to just hold the wing in an extended position, grab the sissors and make one cut, trimming all flights with one pass. Under wing irritation is a high risk with that type of trim. Even if they used special clippers and actually did only cut one feather at a time, that's still no guarantee they did not leave a rough edge. The shaft of a fully mature flight feather is quite stiff, and trimmed with an incorrect angle, can leave a very sharp edge rubbing on the birds ribs. That is the most likely cupprit in this and one you should be able to determine prior to considering going back to the vet. If, after close inspection of that possibility, you do not feel anything at all that could be irritating him, then the second step is to give it about another day while keeping a close eye on him and his behavior. Yes, it's possible there was some wing injury but more likely if could be just a bit of a pulled muscle. You did say he was pretty fiesty, therefore was probably struggling pretty good. If the person restraining him was inexperienced and allowed one wing to escape momentarily, he may have strained it. If you find a rough/sharp spot on the underside of the wing, and/or if you are not comfortable waiting about another 24 hours to see how he is acting, then by all means go ahead and notify the vet of the problem and ask if you can drop back in to have it looked at. I hope this helps with your decision but if you have any further questions, just let me know. Patricia

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July 28 2006 at 2:53 PM (10 hours and 2 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
Reply to Patricia's Post: Thank you for your explanation. Sam went to the local vet who is one of only few avian vets in my state. George A. Messenger, DVM has a very good reputation and has special interest in birds. He did clip the feathers all at once, but I don't think a sharp edge is Sam's problem. The feathers were not clipped down close and the ends of the clipped feathers are not against Sam's body. There is no redness or anything under his wing. This was the first thing I looked for. When Sam was in an affectionate mood to have his head scratched all over, I also stroked his whole body paying attention to his left side. Didn't seem to bother him any having my hand cupped over his whole body. From things Patricia said, I am thinking he strained a muscle. While the vet was holding him in a towel, Sam did manage to free his left wing from the towel. Sam has a very feisty character so he fought and squirmed big time with the whole towel scene. Also what leads me to strained muscle possibility is he has been stretching his wings and feet a lot more often then normal. So, final question, assuming it is a strained muscle, is there anything I can do for him or will it just work itself out over time? Would a strained muscle warrant a trip to the vet? I have about 4 days before I could get him back to the vet anyway, what might I expect to see if it's a muscle over the next 4 days?
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July 28 2006 at 3:12 PM (19 minutes later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Okay Nelson, thanks for that extra information. It sounds like you did an excellent job checking out the wing trim so I stay, for now, with my assessment of a small strain or a slightly pulled muscle. Keep a close eye on him and how he is handling the wing for this next four days and you can reassess at that point. Of course is something totally unexpected should show up, by all means, get on the phone to a vet. All good avian vets have 24 hour emergencys services available. I feel like, however, based on all that's been said, Mr. Fiesty strained a muscle and with a few days and some moderate wing flapping exercise, he should be back to his old self shortly. I hope this helps ease your mind but if there is anything else, just let me know. Patricia

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July 28 2006 at 4:29 PM (1 hour and 17 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
Relist:
Just a quick follow up remark for Patricia. Something new noted just to support the muscle theory. Normally Sam will never allow me or anyone to touch his back or wings except when he is totally engrossed with getting his head and neck scratched. After I closed this issue with you, Sam was sitting on my chest and he was allowing me to give him a little birdie massage with my fingur tip in the area his wing joins his body. I was not scratching his head or anything, only the left side of his body with my fingar tip. I been told i have a magic touch:-) Guess that goes for birds too.

Thanks for you help ~ no need to acctually relist this post.
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July 28 2006 at 4:58 PM (28 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
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