Chick with slipped tendon/swollen hock with sore? Update

[Pasha1]

I have a chick that hatched yesterday. I noticed his left leg stuck straight out. I posted in the chick section and was told it was probably straddle leg and to make a hobble for it. I went to do the hobble then noticed that the left seems fine and a sore on the right leg. Posted pics of that and was told he probably slipped his tendon. I straightened out the leg. Not sure about the tendon thing. The chick is still favoring the leg... I think mostly due to the swelling and sore. I have been putting neosporin (no pain relief) on it and have him separated. He is eating, drinking and able to get around on his own. I am new to hatching (1st time) what can I do to help him? I want to give him a chance. Can I get antibiotics? How much should I give him? Where do I get it, vet? Please let me know what I can do. I think he cut himself somehow and got infected. I am thinking its no the tendon. Heres the pics I took last night.

And here he is today

 

[Pasha1]

Quote:
Thank you. I really want to help him just wish I knew I was doing the right thing. So hard to tell if I am making him better or compounding the problem with my treatment. He is doing so well minus the leg bit. Tomorrow night I am going to start weighing him to see if he's growing. I only mess with him once a day at night. I redress the leg and clean it up. Otherwise he stays in his chair and I feel so bad for him.

 

[Pasha1]

Made the decision to cull the little guy today. Was making progress but took a turn for the worse last night. While I was changing his dressing to clean his wound he reslipped the tendon and the wound opened back up. This morning I checked the leg and it had swollen so much. I thought about restarting treatment but it's been a week since this problem started and I couldn't imagine it getting any better. My boyfriend took care of it. I am still horrified and crying. First chick we've lost. Saddest day ever.

 

[Rosie42892]

Hey Everyone!

Although I did not post during the process, in fear of getting hopes up, I had a Polish chick develop a slipped tendon on the way to me. Through this, and many other threads, I did her stretches, wrapped as recommended, and she is FINE! I never dreamed she would make a full recovery. Thank you for your willingness to help others. With all the information on the forum, I did not need to make my own post!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi sorry about your little chick what could it have cut itself on the egg? when hatching. I am not sure what you could give a 1 day old chick, except maybe a small amt. of baby aspirin in it's water. that would help with swelling and pain. it does look very swollen, also you might try soaking the leg in some warm epsom salt water to help with swelling. just be careful not to let it get chilled. Hopefully someone else will have some reccomendations for you. all the best and update us on progress please.

 

[Pasha1]

Quote:
Thank you. A vet friend said neosporin was good and I could dip the leg in peroxide every so often. I have cleaning procedures down. Went to the feed store and bought some broad spectrum antibiotics for the water. Still not sure what to do with those. But making up some cool aid for the chick. He's still eating and drinking.

The joint it 3 times the size of the other one. Has anyone seen this before? The sore has a scab and sometimes there's puss. I really don't know how he got it.

 

[Pasha1]

Still on wound patrol. Anybody have any advice? I am still super worried about this little guy. I just don't know what to do.

 

[brandy32868]

I have a 2 day old chick with the exact same symptoms. I dont know what it is or what to do to help him. I put a baby band aid on the joint because the sore is weeping. I dont want it to get infected or larger. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? He "peeps" alot when I try to manipulate the joint...i'm guessing because it hurts, so I dont want to try and extend the leg.

 

[Pasha1]

Quote:
Really got in there a few minutes ago and tried to do a more thorough check. He did slip his tendon. The wound has split more and when he curls in the leg the hock pushes out. When the leg is straight and I push the tendon into place it's normal. I bandaged the leg straight. Put him in a chick chair. Have him on antibiotics and cleaning the wound with neosporin and peroxide. Don't know what to do. I have no experience with chicks. Problem just keeps getting worse.

 

[rhs7111]

Slipped tendon needs to be manually repositioned into the joint groove, and then the joint is taped (with bandage tape for sensitive skin, gently) to keep the tendon in place. Once a slip occurs, it will often happen again and recur quickly thereafter. Also, slipped tendons need to be repositioned immediately or else the bone grows but the tendon isn't being gradually stretched to accomodate the bone due to the slip, and once that growth discrepancy happens, the tendon can never be repositioned and the bird is lame for life. One of the side effects of slipped tendon is indeed a swollen joint, but unless the tendon is repositioned, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories (aspirin) won't help the chick walk.

First try to determine if it actually is a slipped tendon; can the chick walk on the affected leg? A leg with slipped tendon is limp, with the foot and toes curled inward, and birds will usually put their weight on their hock (elbow) to move around. If the chick is walking normally, with both feet on the ground and both legs straight, it is likely not slipped tendon.

If not a slipped tendon, it is probably an infection. You probably need oral anti-biotics and not just neosporin. Infections can quickly get into a joint in a young chick (with thin, fragile skin) and once the infection gets in the joint capsule, a topical ointment won't help much. Aspirin alone may take the swelling down a bit, but it will not address the infection, and the infection needs to be dealt with first and foremost.