External Coaptation in Birds: Bandages and Splints

Key Points

  • Orthopedic injuries are rarely a matter of life or death. Stabilize the patient first, providing analgesia and supportive care.
  • Bandages and splints are generally indicated for short-term stabilization only. Surgical fixation often provides the best long-term prognosis.
  • The figure-of-eight wrap is the main technique for support of the wing. A bellyband is incorporated for humeral or pectoral girdle fractures.
  • Lateral splints are a great option for stabilization of the tibiotarsus or tarsometatarsus. Tape splints may work best for small patients.
  • House birds with splints or bandages in a smooth-sided enclosure with low or no perches.

Traumatic orthopedic injuries are relatively common in the avian patient. Although bird bones are strong when intact, they tend to shatter on impact as the cortices are thin and brittle. A lack of abundant soft tissue coverage often leads to open fractures . . .


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References

Harcourt-Brown NH. Bumblefoot. In: J Samour (ed). Avian Medicine, 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2008:209-215.

Harcourt-Brown NH. Orthopedic conditions that affect the avian pelvic limb. Vet Clin North Am Exot An Prac 5(1):49-81, 2002.

Hawkins MG, Barron HW, Speer BL, Pollock C, Carpenter JW. Birds. In: JW Carpenter, CJ Marion (eds). Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2013:256-281.

Martin H, Ritchie BW. Orthopedic Surgical Techniques. In: BW Ritchie, GJ Harrison, LR Harrison (eds). Avian Medicine: Principles and Application. Lake Worth, FL: Wingers; 1994: 1145-1146.

Orosz SE. Clinical considerations of the thoracic limb. Vet Clin North Am Exot An Prac 5(1):31-48, 2002.

Ponder JB, Redig P. Orthopedics. In: BL Speer (ed). Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2016:658-662.

Redig P, Cruz L. Fractures. In: J Samour (ed). Avian Medicine, 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2008:215-248.

Redig PT (ed). Medical Management of Birds of Prey: A Collection of Notes on Selected Topics, 3rd ed. University of Minnesota, 1986.

Scheelings TF. Coracoid fractures in wild birds: A comparison of surgical repair versus conservative treatment. J Avian Med Surg 28(4):304-308, 2014.

Further Reading

McCluggage DM. Bandaging. In: Altman RB, Clubb SL, Dorrestein GM, Quesenberry K (eds). Avian Medicine and Surgery. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA: WB

To cite this page:

Higbie C, Pollock C. External coaptation in birds: Bandages and splints. February 8, 2016. LafeberVet Web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/external-coaptation-birds-bandages-splints/