Hi, just found one of my birds with its leg caught. I think it could be broken. I've treated the leg where skin was broken. It's ring was caught on a swing. I've got him under heat lamp with antibiotics in his water. I wondered if I wrap its leg with a pipe cleaner as a splint, would this work? I used them for splayed legs so thought maybe it might work if it's broken. Any help gratefully received.

I have had this happen before... so scary . Their legs are pretty tough so unless you can see a distinct break or there is a bruised line, i would suggest the leg is more sore than broken. Regardless, the leg will most likely swell badly in the next few hours, and the ring will constrict the blood flow to the foot. Cut the ring off now while its not swollen and this will increase the chances the leg wont loose movement in the toes.

 

Then heat lamp, food, water and quiet to help with shock. dont worry about the antibiotics. just keep the wound clean.

I have had this happen before... so scary :rofl: . Their legs are pretty tough so unless you can see a distinct break or there is a bruised line, i would suggest the leg is more sore than broken. Regardless, the leg will most likely swell badly in the next few hours, and the ring will constrict the blood flow to the foot. Cut the ring off now while its not swollen and this will increase the chances the leg wont loose movement in the toes.

 

Then heat lamp, food, water and quiet to help with shock. dont worry about the antibiotics. just keep the wound clean.

Thanks Liv, I removed the ring treated the broken skin with betadine, I cut a small section of drinking straw and slit it then placed it over where I think it's broken, between the elbow & foot, he's not using his foot at all at this stage, then taped the whole thing to keep straw in place. At the moment I checked him and gave him some green seeding grass and he's been on floor of cage eating that, so. :rofl: Still under heat lamp. :rofl:

sounds great what you have done

just keep watch as if blood flow is not going through leg will need leg removed and bone removed

by vet this cost me around 80 dollors

other wize bird will die from blood poisoning

if you can see bone broken i would go to vet now rather than later

sounds great what you have done

just keep watch as if blood flow is not going through leg will need leg removed and bone removed

by vet this cost me around 80 dollors

other wize bird will die from blood poisoning

if you can see bone broken i would go to vet now rather than later

Thank's G.B. no bone etc showing just doesn't seem rigid . Hoping what I've done will help. Keeping close eye out for swelling etc but he seem's more settled under lamp now. Will keep check on his foot colour etc. I suppose that would tell me if blood isn't getting to foot? can anyone tell me if that's right please.

Yes, you want the foot to look pink, and red at the very most. If it looks dark red, purple or black, then blood flow is restricted or prevented altogether. The ring is off, so this should be okay, provided the splint doesn't get too tight.

Yes, you want the foot to look pink, and red at the very most. If it looks dark red, purple or black, then blood flow is restricted or prevented altogether. The ring is off, so this should be okay, provided the splint doesn't get too tight.

Thank's again Liv. Just checked again and looks normal colour,it's been about 8 hrs now, toes are not working e.g trying to grip . Will leave the poor boy until morning now and then see if there is any improvement. Haven't got a clue as to how long it might take to knit if it is broken.

Few weeks he should be right.I had the same happen to a young hen last year, although I still dont know what it caught on but could see where it happened.Blood everywhere, broken leg. Not alot you can do sometimes- I left her, keeping an eye on her a few times a day in case she went downhill but she healed up well, slightly crooked, but now you are hard pressed to pick her from the rest. She moulted into a lovely looking hen, a true hen of her line. So Im glad she pulled through.

Edited December 2, 200915 yr by maesie

Few weeks he should be right.I had the same happen to a young hen last year, although I still dont know what it caught on but could see where it happened.Blood everywhere, broken leg. Not alot you can do sometimes- I left her, keeping an eye on her a few times a day in case she went downhill but she healed up well, slightly crooked, but now you are hard pressed to pick her from the rest. She moulted into a lovely looking hen, a true hen of her line. So Im glad she pulled through.

 

Hi, Just checked on mine for umpteenth time. His leg is a good colour etc, he hasn't been using his foot at all but just now he put his foot down on perch for a second and there was some reflex in his toe's, good sign I think. He's been climbing around with beak and good foot eating etc so I very hopful now.Will leave split a couple of days and check to see if no infection etc. Thanks for your reply.

Update on broken leg. I taped straw over break and left it for about 8 days. It looked okay but bird would not use foot, I thought it might have damaged nerves etc.

He rested on leg but it was stuck out behind him, after a few more days he climbed all over cage with good leg & beak. I had removed splint at 8 days, returned him to aviary hoping he would regain use of foot, didn't use it to perch etc for several more days but to-day he's been using his foot, preening flying etc as normal so very pleased he has come good. Another lesson learnt I'd say.

Update on broken leg. I taped straw over break and left it for about 8 days. It looked okay but bird would not use foot, I thought it might have damaged nerves etc.

He rested on leg but it was stuck out behind him, after a few more days he climbed all over cage with good leg & beak. I had removed splint at 8 days, returned him to aviary hoping he would regain use of foot, didn't use it to perch etc for several more days but to-day he's been using his foot, preening flying etc as normal so very pleased he has come good. Another lesson learnt I'd say.

 

very good rezult well done mate

Update on broken leg. I taped straw over break and left it for about 8 days. It looked okay but bird would not use foot, I thought it might have damaged nerves etc.

He rested on leg but it was stuck out behind him, after a few more days he climbed all over cage with good leg & beak. I had removed splint at 8 days, returned him to aviary hoping he would regain use of foot, didn't use it to perch etc for several more days but to-day he's been using his foot, preening flying etc as normal so very pleased he has come good. Another lesson learnt I'd say.

 

very good rezult well done mate

 

Thanks G.B. thought it might come in handy if anyone else has the same problem. Merry Christmas.