INTRODUCTION

Splay leg" is a syndrome or set of pathologies to which different names are attributed such as: "swimmer's syndrome", "abduction syndrome of the legs", "widening of the legs", "extended limbs", "frog's legs", "frog's legs", "frog's legs", "frog's legs", "frog's legs", "swimmer's syndrome" and "swimmer's leg syndrome". Frog legs" or, as we have already mentioned, "Splay leg". It is commonly seen in social networking groups focused on poultry, pigs and to a lesser extent rabbits (being especially rare in dogs or cats), why does this happen, can it be cured, is it a compelling reason to opt for humane slaughter, what is splay leg?

WHAT IS SPLAY LEG?

We talk about "Splay Leg" when there is an external lateralisation or abduction of the limbs, whether anterior (arms), posterior (legs) or both, these can be seen open outwards and it is impossible to return them naturally to their logical position, the animal has difficulty walking or is completely impeded (depending on the seriousness of the case) and has very varied causes.

WHY DOES SPLAY LEG OCCUR?

The real cause of this pathology is not known for certain, but in reality it can be due to different causes, both hereditary and acquired during childhood.

• VERY SMALL NIDES: Some say that this happens when abnormal lateral forces cause the femur bones and acetabulae not to be in the correct position, leading to abduction of the limbs. These forces are often determined for example during the rearing of chicks. They often occur in birds with small nests and a large number of chicks, which eventually end up being positioned abnormally during their growth and thus develop this pathology.
  This is often accompanied by laxity of the knee ligaments, and/or angular deformities of the femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus.
  In the case of rabbits this is one of the most infrequent causes since, in the case that the breeder sees that the nest is too small and the rabbits are too tight, he himself makes it a little bigger to give them more comfort.

• POOR NUTRITION: Poor nutrition of both parents and offspring during infancy (before weaning). If we do not take care of their diet and offer them little or very low quality food, they generate a weak musculature (in line with diseases such as raticism) and are unable to develop correctly, which makes them incapable of supporting their body weight.
  There is talk that diets low in calcium, vitamin D3 or high in phosphorus could cause this problem and even make it worse.

• OBESITY IN INFANCY: The opposite of the second point, as "Splay Leg" has also been observed in animals that were overfed (only offspring or hand reared) during the pre-weaning period (known as "infancy"). This excess weight prevents the animal from being able to stand up correctly, acquiring inadequate postures to be more comfortable.

• INADEQUATE FLOORS: This can be seen in rabbits that are raised loose in the house when they are rabbits and the floors are parquet or slippery, as they cannot step correctly or walk properly (as they slip all the time) the front and hind legs can become deformed and develop an "acquired splay leg", in this case the only fault lies with the owner and the breeder cannot be blamed when the animal did not have this problem when it was delivered. Obesity together with a slippery floor is a double origin. 

• HEREDITARY: Sometimes the "splay leg" can be hereditary (transmitted from generation to generation), to be 100% sure, a second litter is made between both parents and it is observed if it occurs again, if so both are removed from the breeding as it indicates that somehow transmit a weak connective tissue. The pups that are born with "splay leg" and their situation is mild or mild-moderate must be castrated obligatorily in order not to continue transmitting this pathology and be given for adoption as a "disabled animal", in the most serious cases - when the animal is not really going to have a good quality of life - the most advisable thing to do is to sacrifice it.

• MISHANDLING OF THE ANIMAL: This cause occurs mainly in birds and happens when the owner, their children or the carer mishandles the animal and causes it themselves without realising it (traumatic cause).

IS THERE A CURE FOR SPLAY LEG?

The best results are seen in birds when the problem is detected in time, through the use of ligatures with bandages which reposition the legs giving them a correct and natural position. In rabbits less than a month old it can be solved in the same way as long as the case is very mild, but in the most serious cases or in which the four extremities of the rabbit are affected there is no solution at all. In such serious cases in which the animal will never be able to walk, clean itself, urinate, defecate and eat normally, it is better to opt for humane slaughter, especially because as the animal grows older it will present pain in the back and hips, as well as urine burns and the risk of myiasis.

CONCLUSION

The "Splay Leg" is a pathology that can be avoided with a good breeding, adequate knowledge about the handling of the animal and a strict control of the crosses and genetic lines (responsible breeding), in the mildest and moderate cases our pet can live perfectly (with some limitations) as any disabled animal would do but, in the most serious cases, it is better to choose not to be selfish and let them rest. 

This is another example of the importance of responsible breeding and that owners have someone trained to turn to (breeder and veterinarian) to prevent it, having to let themselves be advised and, learning to recognise when something is not normal in their pet.