James Harris, DVM
The occasional fall off a perch is normal
 I have a 10-year old Senegal parrot who plays vigorously with the toys in his cage. On three occasions he has slightly injured his beak as a result of falling to the bottom of the cage while doing this, and has trouble eating as a result. One time the vet gave him an anti-inflammatory shot in his chest, which made him better within a day, and the other times the vet told me to just let him recoup until he got over it. My question is: Is there anything I can give "my son" that will help him when this happens?
-- Allen Bardin, abardin@semaphoreinc.com
 Birds fall off cage perches for many reasons. Rambunctious play is one. Claws that have just been trimmed short or perches that are the wrong size or too smooth can also cause falls. Weakness is another; a bird that falls frequently should see a veterinarian in case there's an underlying physical cause.
Until then, try placing your Senegal's perches lower and make sure theyre a suitable diameter - his toes should just touch. When he's recovering from a bruised or cracked beak, you might want to remove perches entirely. If he climbs, you can keep him in a padded fish tank or other smooth-sided container until the beak has healed.
I'd go easy on the anti-inflammatory injections such as steroids. They can be a problem because they suppress the immune system and predispose the bird to infections.
James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.
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