Orpington Limping - and it is getting much worse ... I am worried

[AlyssaK]

Not sure why she wouldn't get better if it is just a slipped tendon or dislocated hip.

I doubt highly that it is Marek's since like I mentioned previously, both her and her sister were vaccinated as chicks for Marek's from a certified NPIP flock. Granted that doesn't guarantee against it, but it is highly unlikely all the same.

Was your bird that succumbed to Marek's vaccinated? Trill might be resistant, yes, but he could also be vaccinated as well - but he and her sister are doing fine so far.

Right now the only issue with the splash is that she isn't able to bear weight on that leg that we can see, she's still plucky and would try to run and fly if we weren't confining her and her appetite is through the roof and she seems fine in all other ways.

Kind of was hoping that with all the years of combined chicken experience on this board that surely someone had experienced a dislocated hip or tendon and could help teach me how to ID if that is in fact the case.

 

[AlyssaK]

Well, took her to an avian vet and had xrays taken.

Nothing broken, nothing dislocated. Vet says she is 100% positive that it is not Mareks as they see a lot of Mareks in our area and are very familiar with a variety of presentations.

No injuries, no swelling, no sores, no cuts, she is eating well, poop looked good, no fever, didnt seem like the main tendon to her, but thought it might be a ligament.

Says she looks good and eyes looked okay, no respiratory symptoms, but that she will have the "chicken expert" vet look over and case and weigh in on it even she is back in the clinic next week. However, says if it is this one condition that she thinks the only option is euthanasia. We did get Metacam - an anti-inflammatory pain med for her so hoping that will help her too.

But thinking maybe it's just something like a torn ligament and that maybe she needs to be put into traction or something for an extended time for the leg to have time to heal ... not sure.

Hoping to find other chicken owners that have had the same thing happen and had a chicken pull through and what they found to be helpful or work for them ... if so, I sure could use the advice!