Losing his grip?

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

We are concerned about Casper and will be off to the vet next week but I thought I should pass this by you lot first to see if you have any helpful info.
He keeps slipping whilst climbing around the cage and compared to a friend's african grey doesn't seem very nimble. When on a finger he doesn't seem to grip properly and he has started chewing at the feathers on his left leg which is becoming plucked.
Is he getting arthritic in his old age?

[Dragonlady2]

Even if it isn't arthritis, it seems like his leg is bothering him. Good thing you are going to the vet to check it out. I hope it's something minor.

[Quakerella]

I hope Casper is alright. Do they have a medication for arthritis in birds, or can something be done naturally.

[Lady]

Oh I'm not sure just what could be happening with Casper. I would have to research, and see what the web has to say about it. I too hope it is something that is not serious. I will be looking to read what the results from the vet say.

[kendrafitz]

I don't have any thoughts on what could be wrong. But I wanted to let you know I'm sending you all lots of good thoughts.


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[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Thanks for all your kind words, he has been on pain killers before when he had trouble with his wing. I will let you know what the vet says.

[Mare]

Aww..I hope it's not serious.

[PlaxMacaws]

Jean-Pierre: I'm very sorry to hear Casper is experiencing issues with his foot and leg. Might he have pulled a muscle or fallen and banged his leg recently? Can you gently massage his toes and his leg to see if he expresses any discomfort? It could be a simple sprain. Please keep us posted!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

He hates having his feet touched, maybe he is ticklish. :)
He did let me massage but it was impossible to tell whether he was grumpy because it hurt or just because he doesn't like us touching.
I don't think there is much wrong but I would rather be sure than come down one morning and find he has plucked his leg. It may have been that he was having a mega down moult over the weekend (most of it over me) and had been preening a little hard. His leg doesn't look so pink today.
Anyway he is booked to see the lady vet this afternoon and will have his beak restyled whilst he is there.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

He's back, and OK really. The vet has given us some more metacam and prescribed 1.1mg twice a day to see if that helps if he is feeling a bit arthritic. He thanked her by doing a big watery poop on her chair. Beak looks smart. It was obviously all too exciting as he has just climbed onto my shoulder and settled down for a kip. :)

[Dragonlady2]

That's great news. I am so happy to hear that Casper is not seriously ill.

[Quakerella]

Wonderful news, happy it is not serious and I hope he will be back to his older self soon:th_smile:

[rebeccaldaniels]

That's good news!

[Mare]

I'm glad it's nothing too serious, although I imagine arthritis isn't too comfortable to live with. I hope the metacam helps. Did the vet comment on his picking of leg feathers..?..

We had an old dog that licked and licked and licked his rear ankles to the point of making them bleed. We would wrap them in hopes that they could heal but he kept chewing off the bandages. His vet wasn't sure why he did this..a neurosis of some kind, the vet said. We took him to a different vet and she thought it was from arthritis bothering him in these areas. THAT, made sense. (Sorry if I ramble on), the new vet gave us some meds to help relieve him of discomfort from arthritis and it also helped with his neurosis:)

[PlaxMacaws]

He thanked her by doing a big watery poop on her chair.I think Casper is jumping the gun a bit on his gifting... it's not even Christmas yet ;). Hopefully he'll continue to feel better.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

...(Sorry if I ramble on), the new vet gave us some meds to help relieve him of discomfort from arthritis and it also helped with his neurosis:)
That's not rambling, that is important information and very helpful :)

[Cedardave]

I know I have said this before....apple cider vinegar in the water everyday helps a wide variety of issues from parasites, to upset stomach,dizzyness and arthritis.A friend of mine has used a teaspoon in her birds water everyday.She has a large number of birds in heated, full spectrum lit out buildings and has been a quality breeder for 45 years.....my 2cents worth.

[Dragonlady2]

I'll have to try this again. My birds, cats, dogs, just didn't take to it, but I have read that Apple cider vinegar does wonders.
Thanks Dave.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Thanks Dave
We can lead a parrot to water but we can't make him drink :)
Maybe he will like it better with a bit of cider vinegar in. Any other thoughts on how we can get him to ingest it as he seems to get all his moisture from his fruit and never touches his water bowl.
He is taking his metacam in the mornings in a spoonful of porridge and in the evenings in a spoonful of English custard or yogurt.

[Dragonlady2]

I think that I might put the vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz their fresh foods with it. They do have their favourites and they may eat it anyway. It's worth a try.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Double blind test? Some birds get cider vinegar and some get placebo :)

[Cedardave]

With the help of apple cider vinegar and yogurt...one acidic and one probiotic...we have been able to eliminate spasms and seizure like behavior from a 5 year old lesser Jardine.Eliminated an issue with a 35,year old African Grey I was sure we were going to lose....she's been fine for weeks now.Even similar to Caspers issue..our Tres Maria's Amazon is suffering from balance problems...also plucking.Of course his mate gets a kick out of pushing him off the perch..but its breeding season now,so lots of unusual activity.

[Lady]

I have read that apple cider vinegar is great for us humans too. Maybe if they see us with some in a glass they might want a taste.