Need Advice On Amputation ASAP - Rooster Has Frostbitten Leg - UPDATE: Leg Has Been Amputated Succes

A few days ago, it froze really hard and one of my roosters got frostbite on both legs. I took him indoors for a few days to warm up, and while his right leg fared pretty well, his left leg was taking longer to heal up. Unfortunately, my worst fears about it were confirmed when just yesterday I noticed a rotting smell coming from it, even after I washed it off.

Can't really tell from the picture, but his toes are starting to blacken, and some of the skin is peeling. The biggest factor is that he doesn't seem to have any feeling in it, can't walk on it, and of course, it has the rotting smell.
I

As much as I hate to say it, I think the only thing for it is going to be amputation. I know that the best course of action would be to take him to the vet, but there aren't really any vets around here that treat chickens, and other people on this forum seemed to have success doing it themselves, without massive pain to the bird. I never want to put money over the value of life but...I certainly don't think it would be a cheap procedure, even if I could find a vet who would do it, and if I can do it myself without causing an incredible amount of pain to him, I will.

If I do decide to do this myself, is there anyone out there who's done it who who could offer some pointers? For starters, what to cut it with, and WHERE to cut it - above the joint or below, or on the joint. This will probably have to be done very soon, as I don't want the infection to spread.

Thanks so much for looking, and for any input!

I've never amputated a limb due to frostbite, but I have hacked off a few wings from other injuries. If I were going to do it I think I would probably do it about .5"-1" above the black part.

-Kathy

If you can't take him to the vet, the most humane thing to do would be to put him down. An amputation isn't something you should do yourself.

~~And for gods sake, if you do, take it off AT the joint, don't try sawing through the bone. It is a matter of severing ligaments if you do it at the joint.~~ Now... Don't do it.

I am to sorry to hear that. You can do a search under this same category, just type in words like frost bite & amputate. Carpathy seems to have a lot of medical knowledge or links to follow. I have heard of chickens living of one foot, mine may also have to. Hope you get some answers.

jenifry said:

If you can't take him to the vet, the most humane thing to do would be to put him down. An amputation isn't something you should do yourself.

~~And for gods sake, if you do, take it off AT the joint, don't try sawing through the bone. It is a matter of severing ligaments if you do it at the joint.~~ Now... Don't do it.

Click to expand...

I have three hens with wings that I amputated that are doing just fine, some amputated at at joint, others not.

-Kathy

It will probably take some searching, but I think you might find some helpful info in one of these links:
http://avianmedicine.net/

-Kathy

Looks like Kathy had already seen your post. I have done a few hands on things like cutting out bumble foot, which I failed at. I just made her foot a bloody mess. So I gave up, treated it with a topical, and bandaged it. She still has it but seems to be getting around and is OK. Brave little girl. At any rate I do not have he heart to hurt them. Best of luck to you.

To each their own I suppose. I wouldn't put an animal of mine through the pain, a wing isn't walked on. I know someone who lost just a fingertip, and the bone end was excruciatingly painful if bumped for months after the accident. He elected to have surgery to take it off at the joint to stop the pain. Glad to know you have had success with amputation though.

luvmigrls said:

Looks like Kathy had already seen your post. I have done a few hands on things like cutting out bumble foot, which I failed at. I just made her foot a bloody mess. So I gave up, treated it with a topical, and bandaged it. She still has it but seems to be getting around and is OK. Brave little girl. At any rate I do not have he heart to hurt them. Best of luck to you.

Click to expand...

I know how you feel... In the cases where I amputated, the wings were clearly not salvageable and the birds did not feel a thing when I cut them off. What I would worry the most about is the open wound at the end of the stump and I'm not sure what the bst thing to do is ( other than vet).

-Kathy

Someone in the peafowl forum amputated a peachick leg, maybe you could search for that thread and ask for their advice? Last we heard he was doing just fine!

-Kathy