Lame Modern Game hen/tendon/knee?? remedies?

Hi all,

two days ago one of our Modern Game hens had a slight limp.  The next morning (yesterday), I noticed it was worse so put her in a dog kennel to limit her running around since our flock free ranges. She can't really stand on it.  I can't feel or see anything wrong.

I kinda think it's a tendon issue, or maybe something in her 'knee' joint?  When she steps her leg gives out until her lower leg bone rests on the ground - that's what makes me wonder if it is her joint, or tendon in her joint?

I'm sharing this video with the hopes that someone can suggest treatment.  Would a splint help?  Could we even attempt that with a Modern Game?  Or just keep her movement restricted and hope it's just a sprain or ??

thank you in advance.  She's a real sweetheart and I just want to help her recover, if at all possible.

Here's a youtube video of her standing/walking in case this helps!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdx2phx 

Hi all,

 

two days ago one of our Modern Game hens had a slight limp.  The next morning (yesterday), I noticed it was worse so put her in a dog kennel to limit her running around since our flock free ranges. She can't really stand on it.  I can't feel or see anything wrong.

 

I kinda think it's a tendon issue, or maybe something in her 'knee' joint?  When she steps her leg gives out until her lower leg bone rests on the ground - that's what makes me wonder if it is her joint, or tendon in her joint?

 

I'm sharing this video with the hopes that someone can suggest treatment.  Would a splint help?  Could we even attempt that with a Modern Game?  Or just keep her movement restricted and hope it's just a sprain or ??

 

thank you in advance.  She's a real sweetheart and I just want to help her recover, if at all possible.

 

Here's a youtube video of her standing/walking in case this helps!

 

Anyone have ideas on this??  She doesn't seem to be getting better in terms of walking and is standing only on one leg.  We have her restricted to the kennel.  She's eating, drinking, pooping, good comb color, etc but that's about it.

Please, anyone have any advice?  I've looked at her feet too and don't see any indication of bumblefoot....

One thing - when I press up against the foot on her good leg, her toes wrap around my finger like a perch/roost.  When I repeat this on her "bad" leg, no reaction.  Toes/foot just hangs there....

  Please help!

Please??  Anyone?    

She's not getting better.  If she severed a tendon somehow, what are the symptoms?  Is there any hope?

Anyone have a Modern Game hen with 1 leg that does ok?  What about pain meds?  She is otherwise healthy.  I hate to put her down....she's a sweetheart.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueEggs4Life 

I don't have experience with this but it looks like a tendon/joint issue to me as well. I'd say limit her movement and add electolytes/vitamins to her water. I've got a hen that wont stand at all right now and that is what I am doing and hoping for the best. Keep us posted and hopefully someone with experience with your issue will reply soon.

Blue Eggs....

thank you for your reply!  

I've been hoping that whatever has gone wrong will heal with rest, but don't know how to tell if she's actually fully torn a tendon (which I'm guessing won't heal) vs. a partial tear which I believe would heal with rest....

not sure if a splint would help (or hurt).  Modern Games are so "leggy" too it's hard to know whether or not something will affect her differently than a non-'high-rise' chicken.

We will get some electrolytes and work on upping her nutrition.

thank you again, and yes, I hope others with experience with rehabing injuries such as this one, and with Modern Game experience will chime in too.  We can use the help!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeckledHills 

I think there's hope it might not be too serious & long-lasting. From the video, it's good to see she can walk around and use the hurt leg at least a little, & it looks like she has some movement in toes there, too. Your video is REALLY helpful for being able to see her symptoms pretty clearly.

I've studied leg problems some & collected info on my website. I never remember everything on the Poultry Podiatry, but nothing specific comes to mind other than a sprain, though you could surf the page to see if anything might be helpful.

Do check the back of her hocks to make sure they look pretty similar & a tendon hasn't slipped in the hurt one. If so, you should try to put it back in the groove ASAP. There are instructions on Podiatry page.

Speckled

thank you for the website info! I'll include it here in case someone else comes across this thread down the road needing similar information...

https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

I hadn't ever seen this site before, and have been trying to find anything i can on tendons, lameness, etc....so THANK YOU!!  

Great info there!  I will try and determine tomorrow if it is a slipped tendon.  If it is, hopefully we can manipulate it back into place....will give updates tomorrow!

thanks again!