Injured leg, possible dislocation? What can I do before going to vet?

Katieostler

In the Brooder
May 26, 2021
4
17
41
Sandy, UT
Hi everyone!
I have a 11 week old Barred Rock that has been limping for 2 weeks. It started off with her being able to put a little weight on it. We isolated her and gave her some low dose aspirin. Didn't seem to help. Now, her leg shoots out the back and it seems like she can't bring it forward very well. Almost like it's dislocated? She gets around but it is not by walking. My gut tells me it is not Mareks, although she is not vaccinated for it.
We started her on a multivitamin B supplement 2 days ago in hopes that maybe she has a bad leg due to deficiency. I don't feel like I've seen any improvements yet. We built a hammock for her so she can be off her legs and let them dangle. She likes it for a short time and then gets restless.
She is eating and drinking great. She doesn't seem depressed. I don't see/feel any swelling or bruising. She can still curl her toes and pull her leg in just not forward.
We have an appointment with a vet in 2 weeks to possibly put her down. I'd really like to avoid that and make sure I've done everything I can for her. She's a sweet chicken and we've grown attached. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! For reference, it is her left leg that is bad. I can't figure out how to post videos.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20210527_023116646.jpg
    PXL_20210527_023116646.jpg
    368.6 KB · Views: 29
  • PXL_20210527_015558985.jpg
    PXL_20210527_015558985.jpg
    609.7 KB · Views: 23
Is spraddle leg possible at 9 weeks old? I'm so sorry that no one replied to your post before. I only noticed it because Cathy❤️ replied and now I'm curious. Hopefully she's better or improving.
 
How's your hen doing?
After further investigation, I am certain it is her knee that is the problem. I can tell that a tendon or ligament is off causing her knee to not bend correctly. When I bend and tuck her leg all the way in, it pulls her foot in to place. I feel like she feels relief in that position. I wrapped it up so it's tucked up under her in hopes that if it stays in that position for some time, she can heal. It's been wrapped like that for 5 days now and I plan to reevaluate in another 2 weeks in hopes it can bend better. She'll need some "physical therapy" to get her legs functioning and again and get some strength back.

Thank you for checking in. I'm hoping that with lots of time and coddling, she make some type of recovery. I just need her to be able to walk and get up the ramp in the coop. We'll see if all my efforts help.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20210531_225618725.jpg
    PXL_20210531_225618725.jpg
    935.2 KB · Views: 17
Is spraddle leg possible at 9 weeks old? I'm so sorry that no one replied to your post before. I only noticed it because Cathy❤️ replied and now I'm curious. Hopefully she's better or improving.
No worries, I had a complicated question. I thought maybe her hip had popped out and that it could be like spraddle leg. But it's definitely her knee joint that is the problem. You'll have to read my reply I gave to casportpony for an update :)
 
No worries, I had a complicated question. I thought maybe her hip had popped out and that it could be like spraddle leg. But it's definitely her knee joint that is the problem. You'll have to read my reply I gave to casportpony for an update :)
I'm sorry. Hopefully she'll show much improvement whenever you reassess. She's lucky to have you. Please keep us updated as I'd love to follow her recovery ❤️
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom