Black Copper Marans with webbed feet.......

[gabby3535]

Okay............just got back from the vet.
We discussed the options, and she said she wanted to show my webby to another vet in her practice, as this other vet has
special avian training................
we'll she was gone kind of a long time...........and when she got back.............well, look for yourself.........
her feet "before"......

her feet "after"........

She said as our 'other' option is to euthanize........"what do we have to loose"?!?!?!?!
So she cut and cauterized the webs on each foot, and found that the fused toenails had 2 quicks, so she cut between the quick,
and........my little chick will at least have a chance for a normal life now!!!
After everything heals, perhaps some splinting and taping of the sideways middle toe, if necessary.........but I'm so happy
she thought this could be done!!!
She's in the house for about a week or so, being fed a probiotic/vitamin E/vitamin B mask........to help her neurologically, and
to gain some strength.........and, hopefully, to learn how to use her new feet..................and we'll just hope for the best for her!!!
Thanks everyone for your replies and support................you guys are the best!!!

 

[amazondoc]

Good going. I bet she'll adapt just fine.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

That is great. I hope she is able to recover and live comfortably. She still might not walk completly normal after this procedure but as long as nothing is ailing her or causing her to live less than she should have to then she should be just find with a little wobble to her walk

 

[AHappychick]

oh I am very happy I hope she makes it, I know she has a great chicken momma

 

[gabby3535]

Update on little BCM with webbed feet............
On May 19th, her webs (and joined toenails) were cut.......
I took her home, with Baytrill (antibiotic), and Meloxicam (for pain.)
I kept her in a very large box, on my kitchen counter.......under an infra-red bulb.
I fed her the probiotic mash that was recommended on this forum.......(she would not eat "herself; I had to syringe-feed her.)
We thought the lack of appetite was just post surgical..............so I fed her, and gave her water with sugar in it, hoping to
give her more energy.
This went on for 2 days, when I thought to offer her some mealworms.......and she really seemed to perk up! Ate the worms, no problem there!!!
I felt so bad for her..........not feeling well, all alone in the box..........so I put a stuffed goose in with her, and she would cuddle
up with it. It was so sweet and sad at the same time...........
But then she began to fade.........................
I started syringe feeding her again.........and I would take her to bed with me at night, and pet her until she'd fall asleep.
Then, even the mealworms were no longer exciting. She'd only make a 1/2 hearted attempt at nabbing them, and would continue
with her initial problem of not being able to walk. She would fall over, or onto her chin, or onto her back, and not be able to
'right' herself.
It was just pitiful to watch.
So, on Tuesday, we put her down.....(didn't "cull", but she was brought to my vet and was given an overdose of phenobarbitol, like when your dog needs to be euthanized.
She should have improved by that point.............but didn't, at all!
And I now believe her trouble walking was not even related to her webbed/deformed feet.
I think she may have had something neurological going on (?)
But all of that is moot at this point, I guess...........
Poor little chickie................:-(
Just thought I share this with all the nice folks on this forum who tried to help her........

 

[rancher hicks]

I didn't read all the post but did anyone get chicks or eggs from Greenfire farm? I plan to order some from them next spring. They are expensive but their website looks good.

 

[drom]

Quote:
Oh, I'm sorry

 

[NancyDz]

So sorry Gabby... you tried and gave her every chance.. it just wasnt meant to be.

Nancy

 

[Kezzie]

Quote:
I'm so sorry. Reading through this thread, I was rooting for her! You are certainly an awesome chick momma who did everything she could for her baby. Your chicks are lucky to have you!

 

[chickimoma]

Years later, here I am reading this thread with such gratitude. I posted the very same question around Christmas on the Marans thread but I don't think I got a response. I ordered 5 Marans females hatched 10/17/2011 and got 4 Black Coppers and one Splash. One BMC had clean legs and no problems with her toes. The other 3 BCMs had varying degrees of webbing and feathering with one having severely fused 3rd and 4th toes. I informed the company I ordered from. The Splash has a little webbing and feathering but she has never thrived. Her crop feels like jelly. I need to search this problem as well.

I considered cutting the webbing but the girls seem to get along OK and I'm not breeding them. More careful breeding is absolutely necessary.