Slipped tendon

[cejones119]

I have a day old chick with a slipped tendon. I have it splinted with a tiny wooden dowel that's slightly bent but the chick is peeping a whole lot. I'm worried it's in too much pain to warrant trying to fix. I could use some advice.

 

[horsejody]

It needs more than a splint. The tendon needs to be put in place. I tried and failed on a chick last year. Earlier today I saw where another poster posted a link that had directions.

 

[horsejody]

Here it is.
http://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/leg-braces

 

[Wynette]

OH, I'm so sorry! I had one that had BOTH slipped; I took the chick (3 days old) to an avian vet who said it has to be fixed surgically, and there is maybe a 10-15% chance it'll work. I'm so sorry! Hope you can find something to try...

 

[cejones119]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try slipping the tendon back and then replacing the splint. He seemed to do better earlier when I put the leg in the right orientation, so maybe if I try that he'll feel better.

 

[cejones119]

Just re-did the leg. I think I'll give him until tomorrow, see if he feels any better. I just don't want to make him suffer.

 

[abanjaf]

It was me who originally posted the link for directions! Can't anybody help me with my poor baby?

I posted it under 'Is a hock infection curable or do I need to cull?' I guess maybe sometimes there's just no saving them

 

[TheReidHomestead]

You don't need to splint it with a dowel, but wrap it. Wrapping it helps the tendon stay in place. It's not a broken leg. It's just a tendon that needs to grow into place. By wrapping it and keeping it wrapped, it will grow into the correct position.

Straighten the leg into the correct position, and wrap it with that sticky guazy stuff that sticks to itself, I think it's called Vet Wrap, with the leg & tendon in place. Make sure you don't wrap too tight, watch the foot to make sure it doesn't turn purple. Keep it wrapped for about a week. You may need to re-wrap several times over the course of the week. We were able to save one of ours that hatched in Feb with this and she is doing great now!