Slipped tendon in chick? - Please Help!

[hopeshark45]

If you pop the slipped tendon back in, post another picture of the healed tendon. There could also be something wrong with the digestive system. How long have they not been eating?

 

[picklestheduck]

I’m not sure how long the chick hasn’t been eating. It can barely even walk it hops on one leg. The owner is bringing the chick over now so I’m going to try to help. I also have vitamin B complex, but it’s older and sat in a hot garage all summer and was just in the fridgid barn. It may not work as good but I’m guessing it’s better than nothing? It’s also just expired like a month or two, but it wouldn’t be “bad” right? Maybe just not as affective? Also how much should I give?

 

[picklestheduck]

Ok I have the chick, and it clearly has red swollen skin. The hock is swollen, what should I do.

 

[picklestheduck]

@Eggcessive do you know what a swollen discolored red hock means? Is it a bone deformity? Is there a way to treat it?

 

[picklestheduck]

She stayed for 2 1/2 hours while I kinda force fed the chick and gave it vitamin b complex and nutridrench and sone water, and I examined it’s leg, but it looks more like a deformity than a slipped tendon. I sent her home with vitamin b complex and nutridrench with the plan to keep her separated with a stuffed animal and to give her the vitamins daily and possibly force feed.

 

[hopeshark45]

That was a good plan of action. It does look like a deformity now that I can look at it up close, there is a chance that it will heal on it's own, but I'd definitely recommend getting a vet's second opinion.

 

[Eggcessive]

Leg bone deformities are also common. Varus valgus deformity, twisted tibia are examples. The red swollen hock is common with those and slipped tendon. Unfortunately hatching chicks in incubators, this foot and leg issues are quite common. Here is some reading:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

https://www.researchgate.net/profil...roiler-Chickens.pdf?origin=publication_detail

 

[picklestheduck]

Hey everyone. The owner ended up asking if I wanted the chick, so I got her today. She’s alone still since she gets trampled by her siblings. That leg is still pretty deformed. I’ve had the owner give her vitamin b complex everyday. I’ll continue with that. Is there anything else I can do? The chick is now 3 weeks old and she is able to get around on her good leg while flapping wings pretty well. She will go and eat and go back and lay down with her stuffed animal. I’m unsure what to do. The poor baby is very lonely. I might order her some new siblings soon to try to see if younger ones will be a bit more calm with her.

 

[coach723]

Without xrays it's hard to say if it's a bone deformity, slipped tendon, dislocation etc. In some cases positioning and splinting might help, but the longer it goes on the less likely it can be fixed. It's been at least two weeks now, a slipped tendon might not be fixable at this point if that's what it is. If splinting would work to stablize the joint while it grows, it might give it some quality of life even if not completely normal. It looks a bit more swollen to me, but maybe that's just the angle of the pictures, and I would imagine it's painful to put weight on. If you have access to an avian vet, and can manage the cost, I would recommend at least getting images to see what's really going on in there. Then it would be easier to decide going forward.

 

[picklestheduck]

Without xrays it's hard to say if it's a bone deformity, slipped tendon, dislocation etc. In some cases positioning and splinting might help, but the longer it goes on the less likely it can be fixed. It's been at least two weeks now, a slipped tendon might not be fixable at this point if that's what it is. If splinting would work to stablize the joint while it grows, it might give it some quality of life even if not completely normal. It looks a bit more swollen to me, but maybe that's just the angle of the pictures, and I would imagine it's painful to put weight on. If you have access to an avian vet, and can manage the cost, I would recommend at least getting images to see what's really going on in there. Then it would be easier to decide going forward.

Right. Do you have an idea what x rays would cost? I’ll try to call our vet tomorrow.