Considering Foot Amputation

[Weeg]

Yes, through a vet!! I couldn't imagine the pain of having a limb removed without sedation. Luckily, I am fortunate enough to have a local vet that treats chickens

Awesome, thats what I thought. I didn't think you would consider it without veterinary help. If you are willing to take her to a vet, would you be able to take her for this issue? See if the vet has any additional information or solutions other than amputation? Maybe you already have, but if you haven't its probably a good idea.

Edit: Just saw your above post about going on the 4th. Keep us posted on how it goes. I'm crossing my fingers for no major surgeries!

 

[Felicityfarm]

I saw lil' Pepper at work and his foot looked a bit off. I ended up taking him home and determined he had curled toe paralysis. I tried the bandaid and cardboard splits; I even ended up getting a 3d printed splint. Despite trying to correct his foot for the last 2 months he has gradually gotten worse. The toes are stiff like rigor mortis and one of them is pale and swollen.
Here he is today, he can no longer use the foot and just hops about

At this point I think the best option may be amputation. I've been looking at quite a few prosthetics for him.

Anyone who has experience with this subject: when might be the best time for the amputation? Should I wait till he's a bit older, if possible? Any post-op tips or things I should know?

Ouch! Poor thing hope all goes well!

 

[StardustChicken]

Atually, do you have a picture of his bum leg? The way he's holding out the leg in the video makes me think he actually may have a slipped tendon that's resulted in paralysis of the foot.

Here he is at 4 days old when I brought him home:

1 week old:

Today (2 months old):

As stated originally, the toes are deathly stiff and he is unable to move them at all. In the last pic some of the tissue seems to be starting to turn brown

 

[ryneaeiel]

Here he is at 4 days old when I brought him home:
View attachment 2698660

1 week old:
View attachment 2698674View attachment 2698681

Today (2 months old):
View attachment 2698688 View attachment 2698692

View attachment 2698690
As stated originally, the toes are deathly stiff and he is unable to move them at all. In the last pic some of the tissue seems to be starting to turn brown

It's hard to tell with all the feathering, but is his hock swollen at all?

 

[Weeg]

I'm almost wondering about blood circulation. Is it possible there's anything wrapped around his foot? Even a hair would do it. Usually there is swelling with that though, so I'm a bit confused.

 

[StardustChicken]

It's hard to tell with all the feathering, but is his hock swollen at all?

It doesn't look like it, no

 

[ryneaeiel]

It doesn't look like it, no

Ah, alright. I've never seen necrosis from curled toes (outside of the curled foot becoming injured and infected.)

Keep us posted on how the vet appointment goes!

 

[StardustChicken]

I'm almost wondering about blood circulation. Is it possible there's anything wrapped around his foot? Even a hair would do it. Usually there is swelling with that though, so I'm a bit confused.

No, there isn't any debris or anything wrapped around his foot. He's been without his cast for the last 24 hours.

 

[Eggcessive]

Our local school kids once made a 3D printer artificial leg for a chick with a leg bone deformity that resembles one of the legs used by olympians and other athletes as seen here, and did not amputate the useless leg:
https://3dprint.com/215562/3d-printed-baby-chick-prosthetic/

 

[StardustChicken]

The vet date had to be pushed back a bit, but Pepper was seen today. They say it is a congenital defect and that nothing can be done to "correct" it (no surgeries, ect.). No infections/necrosis, which was my main concern. The best thing that can be done for him is making him as comfortable as possible and to make sure he isn't being bullied. Making plans to widen the perches so he can roost with the rest of the flock when he joins them.