I have an injured white finch and I need help.?

Question

I have 2 finches in a small cage in my dining room and one is white, the others gray and black, in the cage protruding out of it is a nicely sized plastic bath for the two of them, when i fed them today I guess I didnt tie the cage door right because it fell and the white one got out. It took about 5 minutes to get the little guy in the cage, but he was flying around the house smacking into every known piece of furniture, he hit the door, the walls, the table. Eventually I got him, what scared me was he didnt do anything at all to run from me, I held him lightly in my hand applying no pressure at all and gave him a little kiss on the top of the head and put him in his cage. He sat at the bottom aimlessly for about 3 minutes and looked like he was limping, this started to worry me, then he got frightened of me when I moved a bit, so I could walk away from the cage, and I noticed he flew onto a hanging ring, this cave me the chance to look at any possible damage on him. His one toe or talon in the very back the one thats acts like almost a thumb was swollen and bent like it was broke, I am assuming now he has broken something, I need to know what I can do to comfort, him and hopefully heal him, is this life threatening? Will he be alright? What is the correct procedure?

Answer 1

If he hit his head, which is what it sounds like, he may have internal brain bleeding.  Sad.

The toe is not life threatening.  I would put him in his own cage with a light-bulb near a perch on the bottom of the cage, to warm him.  Wait and see.

Unless you know a Certified Avian Vet - save your money.  A dog/cat/horse vet knows little, at best, about avian species.

Answer 2

The best idea is to take him straight to an avian vet in the morning.  I hope it goes ok, I know how attached you can get to these little birds.  I also have a pure white finch and he has such a great character.  It certainly breaks your heart when something goes wrong but the vet should certainly know what to do.

Answer 3

He should be ok,Just cover the cage and let him settle down abit.It might be swollen for a little while,but theres nothing you can realy do.If his toe falls off(poor finch)he should get used to it not being there.I Hope He Gets Better.

One time,my pair of Gouldian finches,the male got his foot stuck in a part of the nest.I had to cut the nest to get it off of his foot.His leg was bleeding!I was scared for the little guy...but he was healed after a few weeks with a little scar on his leg.(but then he was scared of the nest).

Answer 4

Sounds liek he is more afraid in shock than anything. I would let him calm down and get his bearings. Then I would evaluate injuries. It is hard taking small birds to vet as they get so fearful. He may have head injury or not. They can take some hard blows. His foot may be sprained or broken. Watch to see if he uses it or not. I would keep him warm and put perches and feed and water lower and see how he does. If doen not seem right or able to perch than off to vets. Good luck. I would keep a butterfly net handy in case this happens again as they have long handles on them and work great to catch these little ones.    

Answer 5

I have a blue and gold macaw who injured her wing .. It was really swollen and I thought for sure it was broke... I took wet paper towels and put them in the freezer... About 2 times a day I would apply this to the wing for short time periods for until the swelling went down..... Also have an umbrella cockatoo who got her leg caught in a bird toy,  Almost cut off circulation in the foot.... I would apply the ice pad.  I thought the umbie had broken her foot but after the swelling went down and she got over the trama she was fine and the leg was not broken.. Just watch for a few days and see.... then take her to vet if it doesn't seem to change any...

Answer 6

He may also have a concussion.  He needs to be seen ASAP by an avian vet.  Please take him in.

Colette

ParrotletsPlus

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Parro...

Answer 7

all that has happend is that he has fractured his toe if you could possibily put him in his own cage it would be better.

Answer 8

You might check to make sure he hasn't gotten a piece of hair or string tangled around it's toe?????  If n ot let him be. Small birds have great recuperative powers,  your little bird will be OK.