Help! hip problem

[Stellar]

My 3 week old emu decided to mess up his hip. Any tips on helping him other than putting him down. I will even take him to the vet need be. With quail, chicken, etc, I can do many things to them to avoid culling, sometimes culling is necessary. However, I bonded with this guy and he is active, running, and I don't want to butcher him. Help! Please!

 

[yinepu]

what did he do and what are his symptoms?.. without knowing more I'll tell you the first things to try

if it's only sore you can try taping his legs like you would for a spraddle legged chick.. and try restricting his movements.. smaller pen or something where he can't run as much...
if you are uncertain if it's broken or dislocated then a trip to the vet for diagnostics may be needed

 

[Stellar]

He was in the brooder and then he started walking with one leg sticking out so it had to be an injury trying to get out to someone. The leg is wrapped and I thought it was a tendon displacement. I then saw the hip and it's inflammed and that's why the leg is sticking out. I am told to have the bird walking and exercise is key. Massaging the hip and physically therapy helps too. Any other suggestions?

 

[The Sheriff]

I have no idea what to do just wanted to lend moral support. Mine are so active running around I worry about leg injuries too. I think a lot of us are learning here together. Keep us posted.

Mary

 

[yinepu]

He was in the brooder and then he started walking with one leg sticking out so it had to be an injury trying to get out to someone. The leg is wrapped and I thought it was a tendon displacement. I then saw the hip and it's inflammed and that's why the leg is sticking out. I am told to have the bird walking and exercise is key. Massaging the hip and physically therapy helps too. Any other suggestions?

walking would be good.. but no running or jumping (would stress the joint too much).. yeah i know .. try telling him that he can't run

I had a puppy who had a dislocated hip (was given to me to try to fix it or they were going to put him down).. so I am using that as a basis.. the vet told me he could walk but no running or jumping... so he had to be in a kennel most of the time.. they said not to give him anything for the pain because you want him to take it easy on the leg and not think it's better and do more damage. So for an emu, I would think things would be pretty much the same

 

[Stellar]

Thank you for your response. I would agree to that. I am just not wanting to raise him and have to put him down. They really bond. I will work on the joint and if it gets worse I will have to take him to the vet.

 

[flyweed]

I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there may be no other option that putting him down. Hip and leg issues in Emu's are, unfortunately, all too common and irreversible. I've only raised a dozen emu's now, so am not an expert by any means, but out of those 12, I've had two that developed "splay leg" and turned out feet..and we tried every "cure" there was, we taped the legs, used splints, etc, but in the end we had one die, and the other we had to put down.

Sorry I don't have better news, but once the problem develops there usually is no fix for it.

Dan

 

[chickenzoo]

I had one the same way and ended up having to have him put down also, tried everything but it didn't help. Perhaps a vet may be able to do more, if they specialize in that kind of thing ....I couldn't find one that had a suggestion. I hope yours does better. It is very very important to give babies lots and lots of space from the beginning to avoid leg issues. They have to be able to run about to keep their legs developing properly.

 

[foulman007]

this is what spalyed leg looks like. I had 2 come up with it both came from eggs that weighed under 540 grams. same parents same incubation same diet. I happens sad as it is and for some reason they have the best personality. I was forced to put them both down .they did not seem to gain weight and after a few weeks the could not stand.

 

[Stellar]

Thank you for your responses. I am still being optimistic as this is Emu number one for me and it's a learning curve. I am going to take it to the vet and get a more serious consultation and make my decision from there. I know it will be heartbreaking if I have to put him down (turning 4 weeks Monday) but if the condition gets worse I don't want him to suffer. I will let you guys know how it goes.