Dove with damaged leg

[tjmiddlemass]

I have a Indian fantail dove she had curly toe and splayed leg as a baby, she was hand reared from 3 days old we have a really good get so after about three weeks and a hobble and plaster on her toes she seemed fine at 4months she started holding her leg straight back against her body, back to get he said there was no brakes or dislocations she had a hobble on again she pulled at it so bad and it was making her other leg bend. She seemed to be using it when she needed to, but now she's one and she's holding it back but straight out towards tail, when I pick her up she let's it hang she can still pull it up and grip my finger with toes I am at a loss and don't know what to do

 

[Hokum Coco]

I have a Indian fantail she had curly toe and splayed leg, Now when I pick her up she let's it hang I am at a loss and don't know what to do

It becomes a judgement call.

These are some of the questions you should ask yourself when making a decision:

Is it suffering?
What is the quality of life it is having?
Is this a genetic disorder that may crop up again in your flock?

You may have to do what they did to Secretariat when In the fall of 1989, Secretariat was afflicted with laminitis.

It is a tough call only YOU can make.

Unfortunately it is part of being an adult.

 

[jak2002003]

Seems like you have done all you can.

I think she won't mind having one bad leg... I have a chicken with one leg and a pigeon with no feet.. and they both get on with their birdy lives OK.

 

[tjmiddlemass]

Thanks what worries me is she tries to use it and used to stand on tip toe but now she bends her foot backwards and stsnds on what should be the top of her foot and iam worried she cuts of the blood supply and csuses infection she is very happy bird even the v3t said under other circumstances he would probably suggest calling it a day but because shes a fiesty, happy bird it doesnt seem right

 

[Lofty Dreams]

I hate to put otherwise healthy birds down but, if it is going to suffer in the future, one might as well get it over with; this may sound cruel but, one may feel worse later knowing that you could have ended its suffering sooner and more quickly.
I've hatched out a few chicks which walked on their toes but, my mother and I taped there feet and toes in the way we wanted them (with a bandage) and most of them recovered (I don't know if it would work on an older pigeon whose skeletal structure is probably more set). If both you and the bird are determined to get through it, you may need to make a heavier duty brace to try and correct it. If keeping her around, I would closely watch her toe color and, if it would drastically change color with no improvement within 24 to 48 hours, I would euthanize her.
Sorry about how grim this is. I hope she will recover or at least stop walking on her toes.

 

[jak2002003]

Its up to you what you do... but if she seem happy and healthy then why euthanize her?

I doubt standing of the top of the foot will cut off the blood supply or cause infection. If she has feathers on her feet cut them really short to help her get about.

If she has her own special perch you can cover it with a piece of fake grass astro turf stuff.. We used to use it for birds with bumble foot.. as its soft. lets air get to the feet and is easy to clean... and very comfortable for the birds.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I have a Indian fantail she had curly toe and splayed leg, Now when I pick her up she let's it hang I am at a loss and don't know what to do

Time will tell.

I think both sides of the coin have been expressed. Some times injured birds are bullied, picked on, shunned by other birds, and never have a mate it is part of Darwin"s survival of the fittest.
Watch not only the individual bird health and progress but also the whole flock dynamic toward the bird in question.

Personally I would NOT use this bird as breeding stock and maybe relegate it to a foster parent position in my loft if I thought it was not suffering or enjoying a decent quality of life.

I know you have a kind heart and you will make the right decision NOT for yourself but the bird in question.