Foot Wounds in Parrots

Types

• The most common parrot foot and leg injuries result from cage traps, bedding traps and toys. These are areas where a leg band, a toe or an entire ankle can slip in without being able to slip out. Bells and toys that contain toe-sized holes, teardrop-shaped openings or frayed rope ends must be carefully evaluated before you introduce them to a bird that can become caught. When giving parrots access to rope toys, it is vital to keep the nails trimmed so that they do not catch in the rope threads, causing toe or foot injuries.

Nesting Materials

• Small birds such as finches and canaries are especially susceptible to foot injuries from nesting material. Nesting materials that contain article fibers are long and have a natural tendency to wrap around toes and feet. If a small bird is caught up in nesting materials and is unattended, the damage dealt may be severe enough to cause the loss of a foot. There are nesting materials that are safe for small birds, including natural cotton, dried grass, burlap and paper, though all should be clean, dry and finely shredded.

Band Injuries

• Most domestic birds have identifying bands on their ankles, which state where they came from or other identification information. These bands, while useful, can also pose a threat as they can become caught on sharp objects or protruding objects. It is not only the object itself that poses a threat, but the bird can also become severely injured in panicking and trying to escape. The band can constrict blood flow and cause loss of a foot if the bird does not become free.

Other Foot Problems

• As birds spend a significant amount of time standing on their feet, they are naturally prone to a number of problems that are directly related to captivity. For example, parrots can experience a number of skin changes, such as foot necrosis in Amazon parrots. Another common foot problem is an allergic reaction to the materials in perches and other standing materials, causing skin irritations, rashes and necrosis or devitalization of the skin. Pet birds can also experience virus infections, yeast infections and bacterial or fungal infections on the feet, which can make the feet susceptible to further injury.

Prevention

• Perches and other materials for standing must be parrot safe, providing a smooth and comfortable surface for delicate feet. You should clean and sanitize perches regularly to prevent illness or infection, which can cause further injury to the feet. All parrot toys and treats need to be examined for potential traps, and when you give a new toy or treat to a parrot, you should monitor them closely for the first few hours to ensure that the toy is completely safe before leaving them alone with it. If you have any doubt about a parrot toy, ask a veterinarian or choose a different toy.