Halo has a broken leg

THE SPLINT IS OFF!!!!!

Halo went back to the vet's today, for her follow-up X-ray and the fractures have healed! I'm beside myself with joy!
But she has lost a lot of mobility to the joint, because of the long period of time with her leg fixed in the healing position.

She's to take it easy for a week, to give the new bone tissue time to harden up a bit more, and so she can get used to start using that leg. After that, there will be physio to see if we can get some mobility back.

I was so worried that her leg wouldn't set... this really is the best of news!

What a great update. Thanks. I'm hoping you will be able to get more mobility in that leg in time. But for now, the fact that it has finally healed is wonderful. Let us know how it goes.

This is wonderful news, Teresa!!

You and Halo did good!!

Please keep us posted.

Great news Teresa

Considering her original prognosis with the possibility of amputation it just doesn't get any better than this. Completely healed

Louise

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

Great news Teresa

Considering her original prognosis with the possibility of amputation it just doesn't get any better than this. Completely healed

Louise

I agree, Louise.

Thank you all!
She's been very cautious, and I haven't seen her try to stand on that leg yet, but then again the vet said that rest is still advised.
Oh, look at that, she's preening her bad leg!! I bet that feels good...

Teresa wrote:

Thank you all!
She's been very cautious, and I haven't seen her try to stand on that leg yet, but then again the vet said that rest is still advised.

Oh, look at that, she's preening her bad leg!! I bet that feels good...

That's a positive move.
Yes, I bet it does feel good to her.

Here she is, without the splint, after her bath, eyeing the camera with suspicion!
Two toes on the ground, that's a good beginning!



Bath time is perfect for a little hydrotherapy! I put in enough water so her feet barely touched the bottom and supported her throughout. She enjoyed wiggling both legs, as she didn't have to put any weight on them.

Cute little thing. I hope she gets some of that mobility back in the joint. Hydro therapy is a good idea.

Halo is looking great, Teresa.
I also agree about the hydrotherapy.

Halo can now stand on both legs!



And she's managed a few steps too, though she doesn't bend her 'knee'.

But I'm still concerned about that lower fracture. The vet did say that it wasn't as well lined up as the other one, and that the splint had caused a little wound from rubbing (now totally healed), but I don't like the colour of the joint, and it looks swollen, so I'm thinking of starting her on a new course of Baytril. What do you think?

It's great to see Halo standing on both legs, Teresa.

Does the joint feel warm to the touch?

Ah Teresa - this thread of yours read like a thriller again. I am sooo glad that this story seems to have a happy ending. Halo is a remarkable bird, apparently with a strong will to recover and roam pigeon land again with her friends. And she has found you, the true pigeon angel.

Teresa - one day you will certainly have a place in heaven with all the good karma you have already collected helping the feathered angels. They could not have a better friend and loving caretaker

Sending further healing prayers for Halo!!!

shes just too cute! i hope everything goes well with her poor birds been through a lot but at least she has a second chance at a good life

I totally agree with you both, Petra and AnnMarie.

Thank you so much!
Petra, you make me blush... there are so many people here who have helped lots more pigeons than I have... and who probably go unrecognised because they don't even have the time to post about it!

Cindy, the joint doesn't feel warm, it's just the colour and size of it that worry me.

Teresa wrote:

Thank you so much!
Petra, you make me blush... there are so many people here who have helped lots more pigeons than I have... and who probably go unrecognised because they don't even have the time to post about it!

Cindy, the joint doesn't feel warm, it's just the colour and size of it that worry me.

That's good. If it were overly warm than my first thought would be infection.

I'm wondering if the joint won't be a bit larger, due to the injury.

Halo bent her knee today for the first time, right after her hydrothetrapy session!
Her knee joint had been looking progressively better, and now the colour is perfectly normal. It's still a bit bigger than the other, but I guess that's just because of the slight overlap of the bones.
She's doing really well and she's still trying to court Hercules behind Piper's back!

What a wonderful update, Teresa.
It's great to hear that Halo continues to improve each day.
You have done a spectacular job of caring for her.

More !

Last week I bought Halo a special rubberised mat (well 2, so I can change it often!) which was guaranteed acid-free so she could get a better grip, and...

SHE'S WALKING!!!

I just told Halo how thrilled you both were for her!
She listened very intently and blinked. Does that mean 'thank you' in Pigeon?

Teresa wrote:

I just told Halo how thrilled you both were for her!
She listened very intently and blinked. Does that mean 'thank you' in Pigeon?

Yes, I believe it does.

Halo is very fidgety now. She keeps calling and she's very anxious to fly. While that's good news, she's still going to need a lot more practice walking and especially landing.
I sure hope to be able to release her some day!