Is spraddle leg always so heartbreaking?

[kinnip]

I have the teeny tiniest little keet with severely splayed legs. I've been trying to keep a bandage on, but the little devil manages to worry it free at least three times a day. Poor Scooter gets so freaked out every time I pick him/her up. It only gets worse when I start trying to fix the hobble. Right now the poor thing is passed out from exhaustion. How do they make me feel like some kind of sicko animal abuser anytime I attempt vetting? As I type this, I'm putting off worming the goats. I hate being a whiner about it all, but sometimes I really wish I had someone to help out.

 

[keljonma]

I know what you mean about your little one removing the bandages.... they can be fiesty when they wanna be...

Try spending more time holding Scooter after you are done "abusing" him

. Hold him in your lap and hand feed him yogurt or other treat on a small spoon. Whisper sweet nothings to him, lullabye him, chat with him. Be calm and it should help him be calm too.

Can't blame ya about the goats.....but ya gotta do whatcha gotta do.....

When you're done.... come back and hold Scooter a while and tell him all about worming the goats.

Good luck.

 

[wegotchickens]

Are you giving vitamins when you put a new bandage on? My spraddle leg baby got poly-vi-sol after each new bandaid was applied, and then got petted as I wipe away any that got on her face. She got used to that routine and became more resigned to it.

Also, since she got to where she could kick free too quickly, I applied 1/2 the bandaid in one direction and then applied the other 1/2 in the opposite direction. It reinforced the band-aid and they actually lasted more than 24 hours that way. It's a little stiffer for the bird at first, but it beats reapplying every 3-4 hours.

 

[mypicklebird]

What are you using as bandage? Medical tape works well. I have had 2 or 3 keets over the last few years with splay leg- taping for the first week was sufficient. I didn't have to replace the tape, and had to cut it off after it had done it's purpose. I used white cloth bandage tape- you can get this at the drug store. Cut to fit, and sticks to itself. Put the legs under the bird in normal position and create a hobble. Let material is better- less weight for them to drag around. Make sure that there is enough slack so they can actually walk with small steps. Roll the center a bit so it is not as thick. If it becomes too hobbling as the keet grows- cut the center and add in a little piece. If a week doesn't fix them after they have more muscle tone and have some growth in them, it is less likely hobbling will help long term. Tendons, bones, ligaments ect are getting too set in their ways. Don't use this bird for breeding purposes, as there is no way to know if this was an incubation problem or heritable problem...
jess

 

[kinnip]

Quote:
Right on. That's what I did with the last one, though inadvertently. It has stayed in place better, but Scooter is fighting with it something fierce.

I haven't tried poly-vi-sol, but it's sitting right on the counter, so I'll give it a go next change.

I have been trying to spend some dedicated cuddle time. Of course, cuddling a keet is a challenge. They're a lot fussier than the chicks. What I've run into in the last 24 hrs. (I've only had her[wishful] since Tues. afternoon), is that she keeps breaking out of the bandage so frequently I don't have time to do bandage changes and cuddles. I'm going to keep putting it on the diagonal, so maybe this won't be a problem tomorrow. She did go for awhile today with nothing but a flapping piece of med tape. I fixed it when I got home, but I think her little legs reverted a bit. How long can she go without bandaging before there's a noticeably bad effect?

Good news!

I didn't have to worm the goats today. My LaMancha doe somehow got into my truck (driver's side is adjusted for a 5' tall me), tore open a bag of poultry dust and wormed herself. I figure I'll give her 20-24 hrs before I squirt more poison down her throat. See, no abuse here.

edited: Good advice about the breeding Jess, I'll try to pay attention to whose egg is whose.

 

[verthandi]

Have you tried vet wrap instead of bandages? I find I can cut the vet wrap smaller and it sticks to itsel,f so putting it on is easier for me to do alone.

 

[wegotchickens]

I think the polyvisol makes a big difference. My spraddle girl wasn't developing as fast as her siblings, even with the polyvisol. I started using it due to dlhunicorn's advice and was very glad I did.