favorite cochin with badly sprained leg - cure? (UPDATE post 14)

[technodoll]

OK, thank you... She's been in a 2 x 4 "condo" the past 3 days with her sister (first day she was alone and terribly depressed, she's much happier now with her sister for company). The box is 4' high with plenty of light and ventilation. They are in the garage with my silkies and chicks.

I haven't noticed any improvement at all in 4 days, which is why I am starting to worry.

Thanks so much for your concern and advice!

It's a relief to not feel so alone...

 

[Zahboo]

Don't feel bad. As long as she's eating and drinking she's fine. If she was stressed the first few days it's going to slow her recovery. Just keep her content and calm. Is there a way you could splint the leg or are you unsure of the source?

 

[technodoll]

I am unsure of the source - I am by no means a vet and am not sure what I should be looking for, but I don't feel any broken bones or dislocations, unless I'm not looking right... if she's not better in a week, I will have to convince the avian vet the next city over to have a look at her leg.

I love this special girl too much!

 

[technodoll]

Update... I brought Kiwi to the avian vet yesterday, they initially didn't even want to touch her as they are forbidden by law since she's a "farm animal", but I pleaded my case as the farm vet a few blocks from there refuse to treat chickens at all

My sweet girl cooed and flirted and everyone fell in love with this big blue ball of fluffy feathers, she is SO quiet and cooperative - I was proud.

The vet couldn't refuse to look at her then!

She couldn't feel any inflammation on the lame leg, no swelling or anything - so she took two x-rays.

Kiwi handled like a pro, the vet was very impressed.

The good news: no dislocated hip, no hip or leg fractures, nothing.

The bad news: that leaves permanent nerve damage or a slipped tendon, which does not show on x-rays.

The other bad news: yesterday morning I found Kiwi's feathers had been plucked clean from her head to her shoulders, she looks like a weird Turken now. The flock knows she's lame and they're attacking her, so she's alone in a pen right now. She gets depressed easily if not in contact with others so I hope she'll be ok :-(

So $145 later, still no definite prognosis and no cure. I was told she has no pain in her leg, which is mostly useless and just hangs there.

The vet said to give her time alone to see if she heals... if not, I have a tough choice to make.

I have a question:

Why does this always happen to the ones you love the most???