Busted leg

FoxesFan4Ever · June 24, 2009

Hi all,

Got home this morning to find a bird hanging upside down with a nail through its ring and its leg bone completely clear of where it shud be. Not sure how long it had been there or how it happened. I never even noticed this nail..obviously or I would have taken it out. So the question is ..what to do???

i would think its got no chance of healing naturally, I have no idea how to splint and I'm not sure a splint would do the trick anyway.

I think the best thing would be to have the leg and foot removed but could it manage long term on 1 leg? If the answer is no then I think there is only 1 way to go but I would appreciate answers first please. There is a guy close to me who would do the job (I'm not squeamish but I have weak wrists and fear I would cause pain before death and that's not on for me) but if there is another way I would prefer to try first. I think there is a lot of pain when stump touches anything but it seems quite calm once its settled.

Thanks for any and all help

REDCHEQHEN · June 24, 2009

Splint using the stem of cotton buds - cut down to size (discard the cotton bud bits)

wrap tape (micropore) around

it wouldn't be able to 'get around' with only one leg

June 24, 2009

Hi all,

Got home this morning to find a bird hanging upside down with a nail through its ring and its leg bone completely clear of where it shud be. Not sure how long it had been there or how it happened. I never even noticed this nail..obviously or I would have taken it out. So the question is ..what to do???

i would think its got no chance of healing naturally, I have no idea how to splint and I'm not sure a splint would do the trick anyway.
I think the best thing would be to have the leg and foot removed but could it manage long term on 1 leg? If the answer is no then I think there is only 1 way to go but I would appreciate answers first please. There is a guy close to me who would do the job (I'm not squeamish but I have weak wrists and fear I would cause pain before death and that's not on for me) but if there is another way I would prefer to try first. I think there is a lot of pain when stump touches anything but it seems quite calm once its settled.

Thanks for any and all help

is the bird a valuble bird?

then maybe worth trying to splint it,a small thin stick with masking tape should provide a suitable splint.

make sure you put antiseptic cream or similar on the leg too.

if the bird is in a such a state then the humane thing is to put the bird to sleep.

i have fixed many broken legs but there are many that will have a stiff leg permantly after fixing...depending how severe and area of break.

i hope this helps in some way.

FoxesFan4Ever · June 24, 2009

Thanks for the answers guys.

All my birds are valuable to me strapper but I know what you mean. Our training wagon thingy is coming in to our club this morning so I am gonna take it down and let the old hands see what they think. I'm guessign it won't be here for the start of the season though.

Will let you know anyway.

Thanks again

pjc · June 24, 2009

Splint it as said and suspend the bird in and old sock etc for 10 days to alow it to set and it'll be fine.

When you splint it if there is any open wound put some wound powder on it to help prevent infection and try to set the leg as near to original position as possible.

Is the ring damaged?

June 24, 2009

Any break behind the ring will be difficult, swelling associated with the break healing may cause the bird a lot of discomfort if the ring restricts it.

Splinting is the instinctive thing to do, but after making sure the broken ends are properly aligned, it may be better to put it out of harms way in a spare box (with food & water) and leave it for 2 weeks for nature to do its own thing. The bird holds the injured foot off the floor, and this keeps the broken ends together at the proper tension so the break knits & heals. Within 10 days the foot should be on the floor again, and the bird walking, albeit limping. Further 10 days of bird increasing use / weight on that leg, and bird should be walking normally.

greenlands · June 24, 2009

I always use a drinking straw,the larger size if you can get hold of one ,cut to lengh and slit down one side.Can be slid under the ring if there's no swelling.

FoxesFan4Ever · June 25, 2009

Hi all,

Thanks for all your answers.

Took the bird to the club like I said but as I feared the damage was way too bad. It's hard to describe the damage here but I'm not surprised at the outcome, sad though it is I know the right thing was done.

Thanks again all