My roosters toe is turning upside down

[Ryguy3684]

This started a couple of months ago when it looked like Popeye had scaly legs mites. It looked bad at the base of his legs, so we treated with ivermectin and several Epsom salt baths. His toe was also bent so we thought maybe a broken toe. We kept it wrapped up to stabilize it, changing the bandages every couple of days. A week later, it looked like skin on his toe was peeling, where the current scab is. It looked like scale shedding from the dead mites, but it was pulled off before it was ready, so it eventually turned into the scab that's there now. The scab doesn't concern me as it's healing & looking much better every week.

The problem is the toe has now twisted to the point that it's completely sideways. My thought was that there was a bumble type infection on the right side of his middle toe that's pushing and twisting the entire toe. Trouble is I can't see any point of entry, so I wouldn't know where to slice if I wanted to. The swelling on the photo with the arrows was there before the scabbed wound, so it can't be the scab as point of entry. It's definitely red and swollen at the base of the toe.

Any input, or thoughts, would be appreciated. I'm at a loss with what to do. He's tender, but doesn't appear to be in much pain. Luckily, he a lap chicken, so messing with him is easy. Thanks.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think I would go back to soaking his legs in warm Epsom salts, or with a disinfectant, such a Betadine or Hibiclens/chlorhexidene daily. Then apply Neosporin to the scabs. I would also treat the scaly leg mites with vaseline or other thick oil daily then twice a week, until new scales start growing in. Antibiotics may help, but those are best obtained from a vet. I would look into getting clindamycin which could help with a bone infection.

 

[Eggcessive]

I hadn’t thought of gout either, but I was distracted by the injury, but there is kind of lumpy appearance to the feet and toes that articular gout has. 20% all flock feed is really not that hard on the kidneys. What reading I have done on gout is that some possible causes are feeding layer feed with extra calcium, feeding 30% protein, too much salt, exposure to aflatoxins, and others. Some people use tart cherry extract to treat human gout, and although it is mentioned for chickens as well, I am not sure that it does anything. A friend here on the forum treated his rooster last year with it, but it did nothing for his rooster’s gout.

 

[FunClucks]

Man, I don't know what to tell you. Possible cancer? Could be a systemic infection. Have you tried giving him antibiotics? If so what kind and what dosage?

@azygous or @Eggcessive any thoughts?

 

[Ryguy3684]

Man, I don't know what to tell you. Possible cancer? Could be a systemic infection. Have you tried giving him antibiotics? If so what kind and what dosage?

@azygous or @Eggcessive any thoughts?

Lol. I've been scratching my head at this one too. He was on Tylan 200 for a full course of i.m. injections about 1 month ago. I used that because bumble is a Staph infection and Tylosin treats gram positive bacteria. It seemed less swollen/twisted while on it, but I don't know if that was my imagination because it's gotten worse since that. Thanks for reading. I know it was a bit wordy, but it's a strange scenario.

 

[Ryguy3684]

I think I would go back to soaking his legs in warm Epsom salts, or with a disinfectant, such a Betadine or Hibiclens/chlorhexidene daily. Then apply Neosporin to the scabs. I would also treat the scaly leg mites with vaseline or other thick oil daily then twice a week, until new scales start growing in. Antibiotics may help, but those are best obtained from a vet. I would look into getting clindamycin which could help with a bone infection.

Thanks. I've been using Neosporin on the scab. I'll go back to giving the Epson salt baths. When I did the ivermectin, I also did the Vaseline on the legs for a few days, so I assumed the mites were dead. Does the Vaseline help in shedding the scales? I always read that sometimes the new scales wouldn't grow back until his next molt. Is that wrong?

I'll look into the Clindamycin. Thanks

 

[SmiYa0126]

Could this be gout? @Eggcessive

 

[SmiYa0126]

I didn't think of that. I didn't know chickens could get gout, but from what I just read on it, it could be. He does get a 20% protein all flock feed, soldier fly larvae & seed treats. He may get too much protein..

How do you treat that?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/gout-how-do-you-treat-it.946699/

Here's an article on byc that mentions ways to treat it.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

A clue I forgot to mention. The middle toe will not bend at the joint. It's sticks out straight as a board.

hmmm.... I'm no chicken expert, but it sounds like some kind of infection.
Really, it reminds me of what happened to one of my uncles. He was working in a factory, and a kitten ran inside some of the machinery. My uncle turned off the machine and rescued the kitten, but the kitten bit him. he got a bad infection, and to this day, he can't move his finger from the joint where the kitten bit him.

 

[FunClucks]

I'm not one of the "apple cider vinegar cures everything" kind of people, but I did read that the acid in the vinegar can help acidify the urates and help break down the crystals that are formed with gout. It's worth a shot to mix it with the water for a few days. Worst case, it does nothing.

You'd probably need to treat for a month or more, maybe months, IMO if you try the apple cider vinegar, and you'd need to keep him on it long term so the gout crystals wouldn't grow again, I wouldn't stop too soon.

Also, for treatment of scaly leg mites, consider using Nu-Stock, which is a sulfur ointment. I tried soap and water and then vaseline for a month, and Nu-Stock is what finally fixed the issue. Also treat the roosts with a layer of Nu-Stock. Use a latex glove to apply and keep it cool so it doesn't melt. Good luck!