Anyone Manage Leg Deformity Long-Term?

[Aunt Angus]

Here's Twiggy:

I just adopted her knowing she has a leg deformity (it's looking like varus). I plan to do my best to give her a decent quality of life.

When I research varus, I see most chickens with a deformed leg end up being euthanized because they would be unable to function as part of a flock. However, Twiggy will be a special needs chicken and be accommodated.

Any BYCers with chickens who have been successfully treated or accommodated for this type of condition?

 

[Weeg]

Is she able to stand and walk? Do you have photos of the leg its self? I don't have any chickens with deformed legs, but I have followed threads for members who do. Slightly different, but @Allsfairinloveandbugs hen Matilda lost both feet to frostbite. It's not a deformity, but definitely a disability that Matilda lives, and thrives with. With the right care and setup, I think that it depends on what the issue is specifically.

Love the name btw, she's adorable!

 

[Aunt Angus]

She can stand and walk. Her walk is more of a "hop and flap" strategy, and she stands with her weight on her good leg.

I will be taking her to the vet as soon as an appt becomes available. She eats and drinks on her own, but she spends a lot of time sitting. I tried a sling, but it was a no go. I need to redesign it.

I can feel the tendon to the right of the channel, so I'm hoping the vet can help. The hock is swollen but not hot. The previous owner's vet had her on antibiotics.

I don't want her to be on pain. I'm kind of imagining a cast of some sort that she can walk on - not to straighten it so much as to take the pressure off the hock.

She doesn't seem to ne in pain, but I can't imagine it feels good, and it'll just get worse, you know? Just looking for ways to manage this, if possible.

 

[Weeg]

She can stand and walk. Her walk is more of a "hop and flap" strategy, and she stands with her weight on her good leg.

I will be taking her to the vet as soon as an appt becomes available. She eats and drinks on her own, but she spends a lot of time sitting. I tried a sling, but it was a no go. I need to redesign it.

I can feel the tendon to the right of the channel, so I'm hoping the vet can help. The hock is swollen but not hot. The previous owner's vet had her on antibiotics.

I don't want her to be on pain. I'm kind of imagining a cast of some sort that she can walk on - not to straighten it so much as to take the pressure off the hock.

She doesn't seem to ne in pain, but I can't imagine it feels good, and it'll just get worse, you know? Just looking for ways to manage this, if possible.

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Ouch, that actually looks very similar to slipped tendon. I don't know much about leg issues, but I did take in a slipped tendon chick, sadly she didn't make it. I could easily be wrong, but if it is slipped tendon that was never treated, the likely hood of survival is very very slim. It's a very painful condition.
At this point she's to old to treat it. It needs to be treated within the first few days/week of life, or else the muscle grows around it.
Let me call @MGG in for her opinion. I really really hope I'm wrong.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Ouch, that actually looks very similar to slipped tendon. I don't know much about leg issues, but I did take in a slipped tendon chick, sadly she didn't make it. I could easily be wrong, but if it is slipped tendon that was never treated, the likely hood of survival is very very slim. It's a very painful condition.
At this point she's to old to treat it. It needs to be treated within the first few days/week of life, or else the muscle grows around it.
Let me call @MGG in for her opinion. I really really hope I'm wrong.

I'm as prepared for that reality as I can be. I'm willing to pay for surgery, if that'll help.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

How old is this cutie? That is one absolutely adorable chick Has it been like this since hatch?

 

[Aunt Angus]

How old is this cutie? That is one absolutely adorable chick Has it been like this since hatch?

I just got it last night. He gal I got it from said it was like thos when she got it. She'd taken it to a vet who treated it, but it slipped again. I'm its last hope.

ETA: 3 weeks old

Do y'all think surgery would help? Amputation even?

 

[Weeg]

I just got it last night. He gal I got it from said it was like thos when she got it. She'd taken it to a vet who treated it, but it slipped again. I'm its last hope.

ETA: 3 weeks old

Do y'all think surgery would help? Amputation even?

If it is slipped tendon, amputation above the hock might work. I really know nothing about this, nothing at all. I'm purely guessing about surgery. I'd imagine some kind of amputation may work. Interested to see what the vet, and other BYC member say.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Do y'all think surgery would help? Amputation even?

I think/hope your vet will be able to answer those questions. I've never had a chick with varus/slipped tendon so don't currently have any advice to offer. But I think your new chick is very lucky that you have a vet that treats birds, and that you are willing to pay for surgery. I will follow this thread, and maybe I can help later. Thanks for the tag @Weeg .

 

[Aunt Angus]

I think/hope your vet will be able to answer those questions. I've never had a chick with varus/slipped tendon so don't currently have any advice to offer. But I think your new chick is very lucky that you have a vet that treats birds, and that you are willing to pay for surgery. I will follow this thread, and maybe I can help later. Thanks for the tag @Weeg .

Found a vet clinic about 1 hr's drive from here - ALL avian specialists! Holy cow! I feel like I won the lottery!