My 4 week old chick has swollen leg and not walking properly

[zac01]

Hi guys,

I am new to this site and thought i'd join as i have found this site to be very helpful when looking for answers to chick questions. I have a 4 week old chick. All was fine and growing well and kept indoors. But a week ago i noticed it started to walk with a very imbalanced and wobbly leg - it seemed like its leg was just being pulled along and about to fall off! I decided to take it to a local vet to be checked up. The vet is not a poultry vet (more cats and dogs) but this is the only local vet i know of. Anyway - the vet had a quick look and told me it had an infected leg. The top of the leg (knee joint?)was pretty swollen compared to the other leg (other leg is fine). They gave me some anti biotics to feed the chick orally twice a day. I have been feeding the chick for the past 5 days now and there doesnt seem to be much of a difference? Im concerned that the leg may get worse - Can anyone advise me on what i can do to cure its leg back to normal as i don't want to put it down (as the vet mentioned I may have to do).

Many thanks

Zac

 

[Alaskan]

Blach! I hate it, when you go to all the trouble to go to the vet, and they don't help.

How is your chick now?

Sorry I am not helpful. It sounds like you did everything possible.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may be dealing with slipped tendon or other orthodpedic problems. Here is one thread to read: http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html