I know some of you don't like me for a variety of reason, but today I come for help.

I had a lovebird dropped off yesterday at my store.

He has no wing (just a fatty deposit stump) on one side and the worst splayed leg I have ever seen.

I spoke with our vet and she thinks that we can't fix the splayed leg at his age (he is over 6 months) and if we amputate it, he won't have good balance because he only has one wing.

He is very sweet and I just don't know what to do. His quality of life is sucky. I put him in a baby box with pine shavings, ramps, low dishes, etc. He is emaciated due to not being able to reach his dishes and when he did the other lovebirds he was with kicked him off the dishes. So getting him up to a healthy diet is my first order of business.

Any other suggestions? He just drags himself through poo, so bathing him twice a day is a must. Plus he has a bit of a wound on his non-wing that I am treating with providone idodine stuff.

This is really important, I can use all the advice I can get. Money is not issue at this point, I will spend whatever if it helps.

if i remember correctly, gini had a tiel who had to get part of her wing amputated due to a tumor, and she was looking into artificial substitutes, but i don't recall what came up...

i'm sorry to hear about the lovie - thank god, he ended up at YOUR store... this way he has somebody who'll do anything to help him,

Dayna, I can't offer any advice, but so much admire you for taking in this little one and doing whatever can be done to make his life better.

Will he pull himself with his beak on a net? Might be able to engineer something that way, with ramps and nets so he could get around? I agree that he was a clever boy to find you! Hope all goes well.

Dayna, thank you so much for taking this poor little guy in and trying to help him to a better life. Others here have experience with special needs birds, much, much more than me. I think you're on the right track though, by trying to get his strength up, and tending to his wounds. Is he eating well? Perhaps some spoon-feeding with formula would give him a boost? Will you be able to get him to your vet? She would be better able to judge his condition and what he might need in the short term. Long term, we've all read stories or experienced for ourselves the spunk and love of life these little special needs babies can have. I think you just have to wait and see how he's doing over a bit of time, and try to assess his quality of life then. Once again, bless you for helping this little one in need.

I don't have any advice to offer, but I'll be praying for this little guy. I'm so glad he found his way to you. Please keep us updated on him?

Anyone have any ideas to make his life easier.

He is about the perfect pet. Just as sweet as can be. You can just reach in and grab him even though he was never handfed. He allows me to treat the owie on his wing and is just so great about it.

I hate the thought that I would have to put him down due to his quality of life being so crappy that it is.

How heartbreaking to read of the life that has been handed to this little one. I wish I had a magic wand that I could wave and make him perfect in every way. I applaud your efforts to do what you can to see that he has some quality of life. What a sad situation! I wish I had some advice, but I really do not as I have no experience with a bird with these type of problems.

Dayna, I found this site about a Quaker that started out with only one functioning leg, and ended up breaking her good leg several times, forcing her to become a "ground dweller". At the bottom of the page is an email address, maybe they would have suggestions. About.com: http://www.lidoorg.com/alcatraz.htm

Dayna,

Thank you for taking the poor little guy in, it say a lot about you!

I wish I had answers for you on how to make his life better but I don't. However I do know you love and devotion will make this little guys life easier. Can you strengthen the splayed leg with exercise?