I thought I would share with you what I have learned: BYC folks really know their stuff. (especially Cynthia...Speckled Hen).
My 3 yr old Buff Orpington, Emily limped out of the coop into the run on Wednesday last week... she just sat there. I picked her up and discovered that she could not walk. She just dragged her right leg behind her. I have a friend who is a nurse and she examined her and could find no breaks in the leg nor any swelling.
I isolated Emily and fluffed up her shavings. She is in a doghouse in a dog pen.. that is the "broody place". Anyway, she eats but cannot get up and walk. I decided that she needed to go to the vet. She is, after all one of my 2 broody mamas and has raised a few broods so I felt she deserved the visit.
So, the vet today confirmed that nothing is broken. He said it was most likely tissue damage and to keep her isolated, quiet and warm. Well, golly gee, where have we heard that before? See, great advice on this forum.
He said that she is very thin and this may turn into "failure to thrive" at some point. It is very cold here in Northern California and we are setting record lows. She has been in the doghouse with blankets over it, but it has been 15 degrees here at night. I believe that is why she is so thin because she is eating well. She has had her warm oatmeal and scrambled eggs routinely. Yogurt too.
So, today she is in the house in a cage where it is 62 degrees. I sure hope that helps her. He gave her some vitamins (Lixotinic) and said to put 4 drops per day on her beak and she will snort it up.
I just wanted to share with you so others could learn from the experience. The best part was that the visit was $30.00 and he asked what her name was. That seems important to me!
My 3 yr old Buff Orpington, Emily limped out of the coop into the run on Wednesday last week... she just sat there. I picked her up and discovered that she could not walk. She just dragged her right leg behind her. I have a friend who is a nurse and she examined her and could find no breaks in the leg nor any swelling.
I isolated Emily and fluffed up her shavings. She is in a doghouse in a dog pen.. that is the "broody place". Anyway, she eats but cannot get up and walk. I decided that she needed to go to the vet. She is, after all one of my 2 broody mamas and has raised a few broods so I felt she deserved the visit.
So, the vet today confirmed that nothing is broken. He said it was most likely tissue damage and to keep her isolated, quiet and warm. Well, golly gee, where have we heard that before? See, great advice on this forum.
He said that she is very thin and this may turn into "failure to thrive" at some point. It is very cold here in Northern California and we are setting record lows. She has been in the doghouse with blankets over it, but it has been 15 degrees here at night. I believe that is why she is so thin because she is eating well. She has had her warm oatmeal and scrambled eggs routinely. Yogurt too.
So, today she is in the house in a cage where it is 62 degrees. I sure hope that helps her. He gave her some vitamins (Lixotinic) and said to put 4 drops per day on her beak and she will snort it up.
I just wanted to share with you so others could learn from the experience. The best part was that the visit was $30.00 and he asked what her name was. That seems important to me!
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