Possible Broken Leg

[Wynette]

Sounds like you've got things well in hand! I didn't realize taking this bird to a vet was an option for you; I only suggested trying to manipulate the leg because I thought you did not have an avian vet available. If you do, then by ALL MEANS take the bird in! I seriously doubt it's Marek's, as a very good friend had Marek's this year, and I saw several of hers degrade. This bird's symptoms are not like Marek's, from what I have seen, which is good news for the bird!

Since she's eating and drinking, I'd think she'll be fine until tomorrow morning. Please keep us all posted! Bless you for helping this unfortunate bird!

 

[edie]

Thanks so much Wynette, the vet was not an option at first - my mother did not want to pay for the bird to see a vet, but she has become attached to it so now we are able to. If we couldn't have gone to the vet I was talking to some rehabilitators and I think I could have found some help with one of them.

 

[edie]

My regular exotics vet called me today in response to the e-mail I sent them yesterday - they are able to see her today so I don't have to wait until tomorrow morning to see the other vet. I'm leaving for the vets office in about 10 minuets and I'll let everyone know how it went.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Wynette]

GREAT news! Fingers crossed the outcome is good. Bless you for taking care of this girl!

 

[edie]

Well we just got back from the vet. Her leg has actually gotten a little better from the first day we had her - it no longer just lays out in front of her but now it is under her. We did 2 x-rays, they didn't show anything weird - there is no break or dislocation. He said he thought she had some tissue damage but we do not know what from - he said we just need to keep feeding her and offering her water (and he prescribed me the Metacam I have been using on her).

Now we just wait and see, he said the leg could start gaining more movement in the next couple of days or there could be no improvement - if there is anything else wrong with her we will not know, we spent the money on the appointment and the two xrays and that is as far as we will go with that. She is still eating and drinking on her own so I'm hoping that is a good sign!

Since we are having to keep her and provide her all of her food can anyone tell me what I should be feeding her? I've just been giving her scratch grains since that is what we keep in our barn for the chickens that hangout there. Should I be giving any sort of protein? I'm also supposed to get her some laying mash (I believe that is what it was called). The vet said we should make sure she is getting a lot of calcium.

 

[Wynette]

Well, that's good news that there's nothing broken or dislocated! Sounds like maybe she's beginning to heal from whatever the trauma was? I don't know how comfortable you are with handling her, but it would be awesome if you could get her up somehow in a sling. I've used those net things that some cars have in the back of them to hold groceries in place...but there are other things you can use, too. The idea is to get her in a standing position, so her feet/legs are down under her...you know what a Johnny Jump-Up is? Sorta like that. You'll have to raise her feed/water dishes if you can do that. But this is a great way to get her to use that leg/foot, get it some exercise, so it doens't atrophy on her.

For feed, if the vet thought she was old enough for layer feed, you can give her any brand of laying feed. Purina makes one called Layena in both a pelleted and crumble version. I prefer pelleted, because crumbles get wasted more. Just my opinion. I don't know where you are located, but if you can get Buckeye brand where you are, they make a pelleted layer feed that has animal protein in it, and it's overall protein content is higher than Purina's feed. There are other brands that have animal protein in them, as well. If you want to give her some "treats" what have higher protein, you could cook some egg yolks for her, and chop them up. Also, you could give her a few pellets of dry cat food if you have any around; they are high in protein, and I often give them as a treat when my girls are molting to help them through that. She could probably also use some yogurt if you have any. That's got lots of beneficial cultures in it.

Sounds like this girl is fighting to make it, and she picked the RIGHT human to help her! Please keep us posted, & post more pics when you can!!!

 

[horsejody]

Edie, I PM'd you. Check your in box.