Deformities of Legs

15.0 Skeletal System 15.1 Deformities of Legs Deformed or Bent Legs at Birth Some animals are born with deformed legs, in which the legs bow out or bow in, or the animal cannot straighten the leg. Sometimes, the deformity prevents the animal from standing. If the joints in the leg are not stiff; and if it is possible to straighten the legs with slight force, then the problem may be treatable.

Treatment: The same types of splints can be used here that are described in the section on broken legs. See page 233.

 Gently straighten the leg as much as possible. This will help to stretch the tendons that may be contracted.

 Before appying a splint, put ample padding around the leg so that sores do not develop under the splint.

 Apply the splint and tie it securely in place.

 Lift the animal to the standing position 3 or 4 times every day.

 Remove the splint every 2 or 3 days and check for sores under the splint. While the splint is off, massage the affected leg while bending and straightening it to stretch the tendons and keep the joints from becoming stiff.

 Each time the splint is replaced, the leg should be straightened as much as possible to its normal position.

 If there is no improvement after two or three weeks of treatment, the animal will probably never have normal legs.

Stiff legs Sometimes the joints of a baby animal are very stiff and hard; and they cannot be moved at all. There is no good treatment for this problem.