Lost toenail

[paula]

About three weeks ago, I got Oliver out of his cage and he was missing a toenail on his longest front toe. The breeder told me only time will tell if it will grow back. So far, I don't see any signs of a new nail. Can anyone tell me if the same thing happened to their bird and the results? This loss somewhat hampers his climbing/clinging ability. In fact, when he is anxious to come out and play he simply slides down a "spoke" in his cage as if it were a fire pole. Actually, it's kind of cute.

I would like to think the nail will come back as he looks kind of weird without it.

Thanks

Paula

[ArtS]

Paula,

Did you find the missing nail? Did he have any coagulated blood on the toe? Figuring out why he lost it could be important (did he get his foot caught on something?!?).

The sliding down the bars thing has nothing to do with the nails, it just means he's got good control of his foot muscles. My birds do this a lot; and yes, its cute!

Regards,

Art S.

[candi33]

Have you considered taking Oliver to the vet to have his foot checked out. It's abnormal for them to just "lose" a nail like that. Something had to of happened... I would check his toys and see if there's any tiny cracks that Oliver could get a nail caught in....

[memmey]

Whow I bet that hurt. Does it lookl ike it has healed well? Does it seem tender and sore to you? Candi's right check his little play stuff carefully. Let us know.

[Pado]

I agree 100% with Candi on this – a visit to a qualified avian vet is in order.

I highly recommend you take him in for a professionals opinion – there may be something they can do still to help.

I’ve very surprised that was your breeders response and they didn’t recommend you go to the vet immediately or at the least offer to check him for you.

My concern would be how it happened – as mentioned, did he catch it on something and if so could he have an infection.
If he didn’t catch it – why did it fall off – could it happen again?

[paula]

Pado,

There isn't, nor has there been, any evidence of infection. It never formed a sore, etc., just gradually began covering over the tiny hole where the nail was. We have been watching it very closely for any other changes, etc., and there hasn't been any.

For this and any possible future problems, I think it would be a good idea for me to check with the breeder for the name of a local vet.

Thanks,
Paula

[Pado]

Awe thats good to hear - the poor guy.

Hopefully the vet can do something for him and maybe help the nail grow again or at the least have some good advice for you. His toe might not be permanently damaged.

Good Luck -