Hi one and all I'm a newbie and looking to pick some knowledgeable brains out there! I have an elderly BFA who has only come to live with me two years ago. Now that he has a proper varied diet his nails are growing rather well....errrr a little too well. Dizzy isn't a bird to be handled and until coming to live with me he hadn't had a very large cage so his wings are just about frozen in place joint wise and he hadn't been out of it in 15 years let alone handled. He's coming around it's a matter of time and patience he gets out of the cage a couple of time a day for a mooch around and a head scratch but he won't have anything to do with being handled - he's very old so I don't like stressing him out by pushing it and I have the scars to proove he doesn't really want too lol. Anyways visits to the vet are complete trauma for him. He had his nails trimmed last year (just the tips clipped) enough to make him comfy. Dizzy also has bipolar cataracts which is why he's upset with anything new or stange noises, he can still see but everythings a tad foggy unless it's really close! Back to the nails issue I've managed to get him two nice nail trimming perches that he's eventually excepted and will sit on but they just aren't doing the job properly them there back nails are growing a little bit too much. I've been told concrete perches would help, is this true, are these just standard concrete isn't there an issue with the lime & chemical content of concrete blistering feet, where can I find suitable 4ft perches of the correct width to help him  I know it's a long post sorry, any info gratefully received.

 Hiya,

i too have an elderly  Amazon who arrived with me just over a year ago (via BL) . Hes approx between 50 & 60 yrs old and has severely arthritic feet. When he first arrived in BL his nails were overgrown & twisted,he was unable to perch & generally 'unhealthy'. The first thing we did was get him on a course of Milk Thistle, this can be purchased online or any decent health shop. You would need the alcohol free version. If you give him 4-5 drops daily in his water for 6 weeks, this will flush out any lingering toxins and help if he has any liver problems ( ammies are notorious for Fatty Liver Disease on account of their ability to consume anything put in front of them!) Over growing nails & beaks can occasionally be an early sign of liver problems. The Milk Thistle is SAFE & Non Toxic,.

Regarding his stiffness, the milk thistle will help as i said to flush out any 'nasties', but another thing that would help him is either Glucosamine & chrondoitin ( available at health shops in capsule form) Split one capsule and sprinkle over his food at a rate of half a capsule a day. Or you can use Chick weed which is available in powder form online ( there is a good supplier on ebay), sprinkle a few generous pinches over his food daily. Either of these are safe for long term use and will help with any arthritic related stiffness or general age related stiffness. 

As already suggested by Rita the flat/twisted concrete perches would suit better as they have flat parts which some birds with feet problems find more comfortable. 

My old boy is doing brilliant, he is active, virtually pain free & is now able to perch better resulting in a much happier & less tired little fella. And other than an initial check over & nail clip with a vet he hasn't had any further need to be seen. 

On this site there is a list of beneficial herbs which can help boost birdies immune system, if i remember rightly it is posted in 'keeping our birds healthy'' 

shaz

Tasha,

Sounds like you have been given loads of good advice for Dizzy. Our avian vet also recommended tincture of milk thistle in the water for one of our CAGs. That way you don't need to drink it yourself every day!

I have met Sidney, the Ammie with Shaz. He is so much more mobile and lively these days and, as Doddie says, he behaves like a happy lively Amazon. He regularly runs around the floor giggling like a little girl - honestly. His feet do still give him some problems and Shaz did find he was better on square perches (about 2cm square) wood, which she wrapped in rope, but you could wrap them in cotton rope or something. He could balance and grip better, meaning he got a better night's sleep, didn't always end up rubbing his bottom on the floor (destroying his tail feathers) and ultimately he developed more strength and movement in his joints. He's also on glucosamine and chondroitin and Shaz (despite the bites) would soothe his feet in warm water and massage them with aloe gel.

It really is remarkable the change in him.

As Doddie said, make sure you have the name and opening hours of a good avain vet. You never know when you might need them in an emergency.

Please let us know how Dizzy gets on

Tasha i so know the feeling,they really do get to you, guess he does like you but just doesnt know how to show it yet. We lost half the dining room tale to fit in a nice new big home for our boy who progresses well we dont push him but just let things evolve at his pace. Until a few months ago he would not eat any fruit but we continued to offer it as we do for our Macaw (who eats anything and everything) and then he began to try Granny Simith apple (any other apple was thrown on the floor) now he will try most fruit and veg, but favs are Sugar Snap peas and yes those Granny Smith apples. When we see his feet getting a little sore we use pure Aloa V which he hated a the beginning but now just ignores.He seems happy and contented which is the main thing

Our boys are very different but we love then both

You have done and are doing a great job.
Good luck and Best wishes to all

Paul