Please help! Ostrich injured its leg

[StephanHe]

Hi everyone, I urgently need help. One of my 3 ostriches hurt his leg today. It has a deep cut on the front of the leg, just above the knee. When it tries to stand up, his leg pulls straight to the back and he falls over. He can't step on it at all. He is about 3 years old.
He was bleeding badly, but I managed to clean the wound and bandage it to the best of my ability. I also gave him an injection for pain/fever/infection etc. and made him as comfortable as I could.
I suspect he hurt a tendon, or the muscle in his leg. Is there more I can do to help this guy?
I don't have $$$ for a vet at the moment :-(
Any suggestions or advice would be highly appreciated, I don't want to lose him..

 

[WolfGirlMagic]

A picture would be very valuable.Also, did you witness the incident that caused the injury?
Potentially you could make a bracing for him???
I'm sorry I don't knowa lot about ostriches but it's aweful to feel alone in a crisis. I'm here for support!

 

[StephanHe]

A picture would be very valuable.Also, did you witness the incident that caused the injury?
Potentially you could make a bracing for him???
I'm sorry I don't knowa lot about ostriches but it's aweful to feel alone in a crisis. I'm here for support!

Hi, no unfortunately did not see the incident. I will try and take a photo tomorrow.
I have designed a brace and hopefully can start building it tomorrow. I am also putting him in a net and hoisting him up if he still can't get up. I have mainly focused on feeding and turning/picking him up to sit on his knees to keep blood flowing. Not sure if the net and hoisting is a good idea, but I have to try.
Thank you for your reply and suggestions. It really is aweful and this helps!

 

[backyard pigeons]

@Pyxis has emus and is a vet. Got any ideas pyxis?

@casportpony is knowledgeable in all areas of poultry. Got any ideas?

Sorry I can't be more assistance.

 

[Pyxis]

@Pyxis has emus and is a vet. Got any ideas pyxis?

Vet tech, lol. I wish I was a full-fledged veterinarian, but vet school is very expensive.

I agree that a picture would be very helpful, if you can get one. For now I would try to keep him quiet, so as to reduce the chances that he further hurts the leg.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!

Where do you live? Please do post pictures ASAP.

 

[StephanHe]

Vet tech, lol. I wish I was a full-fledged veterinarian, but vet school is very expensive.

I agree that a picture would be very helpful, if you can get one. For now I would try to keep him quiet, so as to reduce the chances that he further hurts the leg.

Thanks, I do keep him quiet, but if I don't help him 'sit up' he tries to do it by himself and then falls over, which is causing him even more stress and pain. I will post some pictures in the morning. I bandaged his leg where the cut was, and then started with some spray on medicine when the bleeding stopped. The wound itself is starting to heal, but I think there might still be damage inside.

 

[StephanHe]

Welcome to BYC!

Where do you live? Please do post pictures ASAP.

Thank you. I am in South Africa. Pictures to follow in the morning. It is the dark outside now and not safe to venture out.

 

[casportpony]

Can you get antibiotics in South Africa?

 

[StephanHe]

I should be able to get some from the vet. I will contact them in the morning as well to find out if they have available. Other than that I have Dexa (inflammation/pain/fever. etc.) which I have given him some, and then Terramycin, but not sure if this can be given as it has not indication for ostriches.