What Now? Limping Chick. Please Help >_<

[Eggcessive]

Post 10 in this thread has the post from WVduckchick that I was trying to find:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/baby-chick-is-limping-video.1240097/#post-19904723

Glad you can see a vet. Let us know what happens.

 

[AmyJane725]

Post 10 in this thread has the post from WVduckchick that I was trying to find:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/baby-chick-is-limping-video.1240097/#post-19904723

Glad you can see a vet. Let us know what happens.

I can try that I suppose. If it works she should be able to walk right away, right?

 

[Eggcessive]

It is just a suggestion that worked for WVduckchick that might work for your chick. I have no experience with that sort of injury. If you have a vet appt, why not get their expertise first?

 

[AmyJane725]

It is just a suggestion that worked for WVduckchick that might work for your chick. I have no experience with that sort of injury. If you have a vet appt, why not get their expertise first?

Cause if I could fix her myself I could save a couple hundred bucks.
I honestly doubt it would help though. She needs a doctor.

 

[Eggcessive]

I do know that with some orthopedic problems, the earlier they are treated, the better the chances. But we are not professionals here, and it would be up to you to try it or not.

 

[AmyJane725]

I do know that with some orthopedic problems, the earlier they are treated, the better the chances. But we are not professionals here, and it would be up to you to try it or not.

I mean, I could hardly make it any worse at this point. I could give it a try.

I am worried that it's been too long. She's only been this way for two weeks though. It would suck if that was long enough to ruin her entire life.

 

[AmyJane725]

Update: Ok, I tried. No dice.

Her knee joint on that leg is swollen compared to the other one. I wonder if that's from the way she's been walking, or the reason she's been walking the way she has...

 

[WVduckchick]

Thanks @Eggcessive sorry I haven’t been around much lately.

AmyJane, did you take it to the vet? Sorry the trick didn’t work. Did you try it a few times? It never worked for me either, but the member that recommended it to me said it worked a few times for her, and other members have had it work. Sometimes it’s just too bad to fix.

 

[Eggcessive]

I hope the vet has a suggestion. Many leg issues like this are labeled “slipped tendon,” but the leg bone deformities are more common. They can sometimes cause the tendon to have problems. Here is a thread about a pea chick with a slipped tendon or leg bone deformity:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peachick-with-slipped-tendon.1092979/

 

[AmyJane725]

Thanks @Eggcessive sorry I haven’t been around much lately.

AmyJane, did you take it to the vet? Sorry the trick didn’t work. Did you try it a few times? It never worked for me either, but the member that recommended it to me said it worked a few times for her, and other members have had it work. Sometimes it’s just too bad to fix.

Yeah, I tried it a few times. I appreciate the suggestion. Her chicks probably didn't have slipped tendons. I could see it working if there was a joint out of the socket or something, but if a tendon is ripped free from where it should be attached I don't think swinging the chick about is going to magically glue it back into place.

We did see the vet today. She confirmed my suspicions (slipped tendon). Said her hips are fine and her legs are fine. No bone deformity. Her tendon is just out and making the lower part of her leg face the wrong way. She put her in a hobble and I was shocked to see that after she summer salted around a bit, she did actually stand up straight for a moment. That really gave me hope. I'm not giving up on her yet. Vet suggested that I do physical therapy with her (take her out of the brooder and help her practice walking on the foot properly). She also said that I should put some silver ointment on her swollen joint and anywhere that she could rub raw, because if she gets an infection in the leg it's over.

Bottom line: Vet isn't super hopeful that she's gonna recover, but it's also not hopeless. She's otherwise healthy and doesn't seem to be in pain despite the condition. Chickens can live with issues like that. They can usually manage to get around ok. It's just kind of distressing for humans to watch. So, I'm try my hardest to get her using the leg properly again, and if it just isn't happening, I'll figure out if I should get her put to sleep or if we're gonna go with my colander-on-casters plan for mobility.