Acorn size lump at base of ankle

[Dieseldog]

One of my Buff Orpington's has a bad limp and it seems to be getting worse. The lump is on the outside of the ankle. There is no sign of scrapes and no scab on bottom of foot. I thought maybe she got caught when then automatic chicken door closed but there are no marks on her.
I do not think it is related but she hasn't been right since I sprayed a White Faced Hornet nest at the peak of my house a year and a half ago. The next morning I found that some of the poisoned hornets had flown 40 feet into the chicken run. Two chickens were ill for awhile and one fully recovered and resumed egg laying. The other one stop laying and it's comb is pale and flopped over. That is the one with the lump on the ankle.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you post a picture of the lump? Is there any other swelling in her leg joints, or dark spots on her foot pads? There are not many safe incecticides to use around chickens. Permethrin is about the only one I have found, and that one is not safe if you have bees.

 

[Dieseldog]

Picture now included

 

[Eggcessive]

That is not a normal spot for bumblefoot, but it could be an abscess, a cyst, or a type of bacterial arthritis (such as mycoplasma or staph.) How does it feel--soft, hard, or firm. If soft or squishy, it could contain pus or solid pus. If you lance it and squeeze, if there is pus it may come out. If you would only get blood, it may be a cyst. If it is hard, I would guess it is a tumor. Without a vet or without lancing it, it would be difficult to know for sure. Is there any swelling in her leg joints?

bumblefoot between toes

 

[Dieseldog]

There is a scab on the bottom of her foot. Hope to gather supplies tomorrow and do surgery. Do not know how I missed the scab the other day but I had my wife hold her today so that I could get e real good look.
I have dressed out 9 deer and many smaller game and the blood will not bother me at all but cutting into one of my girls will be tough. Has to be done.

 

[Eggcessive]

Check out the videos on bumblefoot surgery by TheChickenChick.com. It gives all of the needed supplies, and how to cut and squeeze out the core of pus, and how to make s dressing. Vet wrap cut into 1 inch strips, 2x2 gauze pads, plain neosporin ointment, and disposable scalpels available at most feed stores work well. Get all equipment ready bedorehand, and have another person hold her wrapped in a towel and cover her eyes. They tolerate the pain quite well this way. BYC has a lot of good threads on how to do surgery as well.

 

[Eggcessive]

Some people will try soaking the foot in warm Epsom salts for a few days, or using products for fish like Tricide Neo to delay or prevent surgery. I usually don't do surgery unless my chicken is limping, or the area is swollen and red. Those swollen bumps between toes are another reason for surgery. Here are some good links with videos:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/07/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning.html
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/how-to-treat-bumblefoot-in-chickens-3/
http://www.grit.com/animals/chicken-bumblefoot-causes-treatments-advisorygraphic-photos
http://www.tillysnest.com/2015/12/non-surgical-bumblefoot-treatment-html/

 

[Dieseldog]

Thank you Eggcessive for your help. I appreciate you taking the time to respond and your suggestions.

 

[Eggcessive]

You're welcome Dieseldog. Let us know how she gets along.

 

[Dieseldog]

Yesterday, after soaking her feet in warm Epsom salts, we removed the scabs on the bottom of both of her feet, only to find the skin under them to be heeled over. I did not think I should cut her open so we put antibiotic on and bandaged her up. I do not believe that will draw the infection out. My wife took pictures of everything but we cannot get them to send.
Any suggestions on what course of action to follow?