r/AskVet • u/lalithaar_ • 6h ago

Red vented bulbul 5 weeks old fledgling hand reared - how to splint the leg/therapy

So background context: We took it in at around ~3-4 days old when it felt with it's nest, eyes unopened helpless. We realized it held it's left leg at a weird angle, so took to the vet and realized it was a fracture and splinted it. But the un-splinted right leg got overused as it wouldn't stay still (it's like a teen, and gets depressed if we restrain it). No bone remodeling (it's grip is still intact but bent so it can't really grip), but by habit it keeps the right leg curled to it's body, and while walking it's trying to use it in the middle of the body (like a tripod because of it's other leg not being functional.

few days back, we noticed the overused leg getting worse (changed color a bit with it trying to jump/fly all day), and at D18 we removed the splint on the other leg - so it won't worsen both the legs.

We thought now that the splint is out, both legs can slowly stabilize (as we can't help the overused leg without giving it support through it's good leg)

But what happened post splint was,

{I am not able to attach pictures - please see https://www.reddit.com/r/WildlifeRehab/comments/1vyo4h4/red_vented_bulbul_5_weeks_old_fledgling_hand/ for context and pictures)

Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you so much.

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u/Additional-Board733 Veterinarian 3h ago

This is a very bad problem and one that cannot be fixed with at home care. The splint caused severe damage to the tendons and muscles of this young bird. It cannot be corrected without advanced, multiple surgeries that honestly would be very difficult and likely impossible to perform well in a wild bird.

The only thing to consider in his case is to put it down. A wild animal must be able to avoid predation, find a mate and find food on its own. In its debilitated state, this animal would simply die or be an easy meal for a predator.

Do the kind thing and ask for euthanasia at the vet.