Anyone Manage Leg Deformity Long-Term?

[Aunt Angus]

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I'm sorry.
Was slipped tendon the diagnosis?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm sorry.
Was slipped tendon the diagnosis?

Yes. I figured that was the issue. I asked about surgery. Vet said she'd never had it be successful long term. I asked about amputation and prosthetic. Vet said it would be in the 1000s of dollars

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hubs just texted me that I should keep her until she just can't anymore.

 

[Aunt Angus]

What should I do??????

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hubby says we will make her a wheelchair when she needs one.

I guess we'll try it. But I just don't want to be cruel. This is HARD. And I just met her.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

What should I do??????

If you don't think she is suffering, or even if you think she has some pain but not enough to affect her current joys in living, I think your husband gave you perfect advice.
Do you/did vet think she is currently in pain?
Would aspirin or other painkiller help ease that pain?

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

In the photo you posted this morning, she looked like she was out enjoying sunshine with a friend. As long as she is enjoying her life, I would let her have more days to do so. Now that I'm older myself, I understand that aches and pain don't mean I wish to be euthanized. Some pain is manageable and tolerable as long as life itself is good.

But the question is, how much pain is she currently enduring? Only you can decide that, and when the time comes that you need to end her suffering, you will know. ❤

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm driving home with her. We will do this. Dammit. This is going to be hard. So so hard.

I'll look into amputation. Maybe try another vet. We'll get a sling chair going. What have I gotten myself into....

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I have a 5 year old hen who had a slipped tendon as a chick and it never healed properly. She doesn't put any weight on that leg, but she hops along fine on her good leg and gets to the food and water without issue. She can perch, but prefers to sleep in the dropping trays below the perch, still a minimum 3-foot jump up that she makes every night on her own. She's in my big mixed flock and doesn't have any issues with being bullied or anything. I've never seen any evidence of her having any discomfort, beyond tiring out a bit faster than the other girls because of how she hops along for every step. I don't do anything differently for her, except for to occasionally help her down from the dropping tray if she is patient enough to let me finish dishing out the feed in the morning and doesn't just jump down, herself.

I agree with your husband. It's very possible for them to live a full and happy life with a slipped tendon! I think as long as you keep an eye on your bird for any further issues and address them as they come up, you shouldn't have any problems just letting her be a chicken and live her life.

This is my girl, Perdita.

It's hard to tell in this picture, but the closer leg is her bad leg. It sticks way out on that side, but she rests it on the ground like this and you can barely tell that there's an issue unless you know it's there.