6 Week Old Silkie With Swollen Foot

[M_Kelley]

My 6 week old silkies foot is swollen and feels feverish. She won’t walk on it....what could cause this and how do I treat it?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What are you feeding her, including treats?
Any swelling of the hock joint?
Are there 4 or 5 toes on the foot, hard to tell.
Looks almost like there are 2 toes growing together or there some type of deformity going on with that.
Swelling of one foot...that's really hard to know. Looks like quite few broken feathers or the feet have been picked at. She also has a broken toenail if you haven't noticed that.

You can try soaking the feet in epsom salts to see if that helps reduce swelling. Look for any places where feathers are growing in for infection.
Once dried, I would put a bit of oil (castor/coconut) or even triple antibiotic ointment on the feet/legs, they look dry.

 

[1adybug]

That looks like bumblefoot. When chickens get an infection, Their immune system surrounds it with white blood cells which dry out and create a "bumble". They have to be removed if they get too big. I do suggest Epsom salt baths and if you can, try to flush out the area.

 

[1adybug]

Our roo had a serious case and it led to a bloody surgery and a long recovery period. He still limps and some mornings he can't make it down the ramp.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings M_Kelley,

It appears there was a penetrating injury to the toe joint area. It is now scabbed over, and has sealed in infection. That is why the foot is hot.

Foot wounds are commonly referred to as Bumble Foot, which can happen on top of the foot, or toes. But, is most often found under the chicken's foot.

A trip to the vet will be the best thing for the chicken, but if that is not an option, you can treat it yourself. Be aware that the infection looks advanced, and is painful.

What to do?

You should start by doing as Wyorp Rock and ladybug3698 have suggested, a good soak in warm water with a cup of Epsom Salt. About 10 minutes will do. Dry the foot well. (Snip away feathers if needed.) You can restrain the chicken with a long scarf for the soak, then, a bath towel for the foot treatment.

1. Then, you may need to prick the swollen area with a sterilized needle. Give a squeeze to see if any thick, or liquid pus comes out.
2. If it's just blood, then, pour some Povidone Iodine over the open area; it will penetrate any infected tissue. (Use the iodine, only the first time cleaning, as it is a very strong antiseptic.) Later, the use of soap and water, or saline solution, may be used for dressings changes.
3. Next, apply some Antibiotic Ointment to the wound, thickly.
4. Then, cover the wound with some sterile gauze and, wrap the entire foot with some self stick vet wrap/self stick gauze wrap.

You will need to check the wound every day. If there is no improvement in the amount of swelling, in 24 hours, you may need an oral antibiotic, as well.

A trip to the vet may be necessary to obtain an antibiotic.

If the wound appears to be improving, you can change the dressing every other day, then every 2-3 days, till healed.

These are my thoughts on your chicken's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

 

[M_Kelley]

What are you feeding her, including treats?
Any swelling of the hock joint?
Are there 4 or 5 toes on the foot, hard to tell.
Looks almost like there are 2 toes growing together or there some type of deformity going on with that.
Swelling of one foot...that's really hard to know. Looks like quite few broken feathers or the feet have been picked at. She also has a broken toenail if you haven't noticed that.

You can try soaking the feet in epsom salts to see if that helps reduce swelling. Look for any places where feathers are growing in for infection.
Once dried, I would put a bit of oil (castor/coconut) or even triple antibiotic ointment on the feet/legs, they look dry.

View attachment 1713739

View attachment 1713743

Greetings M_Kelley,

It appears there was a penetrating injury to the toe joint area. It is now scabbed over, and has sealed in infection. That is why the foot is hot.

Foot wounds are commonly referred to as Bumble Foot, which can happen on top of the foot, or toes. But, is most often found under the chicken's foot.

A trip to the vet will be the best thing for the chicken, but if that is not an option, you can treat it yourself. Be aware that the infection looks advanced, and is painful.

What to do?

You should start by doing as Wyorp Rock and ladybug3698 have suggested, a good soak in warm water with a cup of Epsom Salt. About 10 minutes will do. Dry the foot well. (Snip away feathers if needed.) You can restrain the chicken with a long scarf for the ba, then, a bath towel for the foot treatment.

1. Then, you may need to prick the swollen area with a sterilized needle. Give a squeeze to see if any thick, or liquid pus comes out.
2. If it's just blood, then, pour some Povidone Iodine over the open area; it will penetrate any infected tissue. (Use the iodine, only the first time cleaning, as it is a very strong antiseptic.) Use soap and water or saline solution, may be used for dressings changes.
3. Next, apply some Antibiotic Ointment to the wound, thickly.
4. Then, cover the wound with some sterile gauze and, wrap the entire foot with some self stick vet wrap/self stick gauze wrap.

You will need to check the wound every day. If there is no improvement in the amount of swelling, in 24 hours, you may need an oral antibiotic, as well.

A trip to the vet may be necessary to obtain an antibiotic.

If the wound appears to be improving, you can change the dressing every other day, then every 2-3 days, till healed.
View attachment 1713910 View attachment 1713913 View attachment 1713924
These are my thoughts on your chicken's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

Thank you for your response...She is still on chick starter and treats include bread (only once) and boiled/scrambled egg and I let her free range with her sister and my other grown chickens as long as I can be outside with them.

There are 4 toes and the hock joints seemed fine. I will check it again when I get home from work though. I did not realize the toenail was broken maybe one of my big girls got after her when I wasn’t looking. Bless her heart.

 

[M_Kelley]

Greetings M_Kelley,

It appears there was a penetrating injury to the toe joint area. It is now scabbed over, and has sealed in infection. That is why the foot is hot.

Foot wounds are commonly referred to as Bumble Foot, which can happen on top of the foot, or toes. But, is most often found under the chicken's foot.

A trip to the vet will be the best thing for the chicken, but if that is not an option, you can treat it yourself. Be aware that the infection looks advanced, and is painful.

What to do?

You should start by doing as Wyorp Rock and ladybug3698 have suggested, a good soak in warm water with a cup of Epsom Salt. About 10 minutes will do. Dry the foot well. (Snip away feathers if needed.) You can restrain the chicken with a long scarf for the ba, then, a bath towel for the foot treatment.

1. Then, you may need to prick the swollen area with a sterilized needle. Give a squeeze to see if any thick, or liquid pus comes out.
2. If it's just blood, then, pour some Povidone Iodine over the open area; it will penetrate any infected tissue. (Use the iodine, only the first time cleaning, as it is a very strong antiseptic.) Use soap and water or saline solution, may be used for dressings changes.
3. Next, apply some Antibiotic Ointment to the wound, thickly.
4. Then, cover the wound with some sterile gauze and, wrap the entire foot with some self stick vet wrap/self stick gauze wrap.

You will need to check the wound every day. If there is no improvement in the amount of swelling, in 24 hours, you may need an oral antibiotic, as well.

A trip to the vet may be necessary to obtain an antibiotic.

If the wound appears to be improving, you can change the dressing every other day, then every 2-3 days, till healed.
View attachment 1713910 View attachment 1713913 View attachment 1713924
These are my thoughts on your chicken's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

This was ssooo helpful! Thank you so much

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

You are very welcome.

Just be vigilant, as, some infections can travel up the leg.

Keep us updated.

God Bless

 

[M_Kelley]

Gave her a bath washed her foot really well after soaking it for 10mins got a little bit of clear liquid out of it after I squeezed it a bit then blood started so I stopped mashing on it. Sprayed it with vetericyn to help with pain, put some neosporin on it then wrapped it up. I will repeat the foot soak, ointment and bandage daily until it is healed....she really enjoyed the bath and blow dryer

 

[M_Kelley]

WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTO......OMG I dang near threw up, cried and passed out all at the same time. So from what I can tell after taking the bandage off is that the big knot that I thought was swelling or a bumble was maybe some ingrown feathers!?!? Idk I was getting more clear liquid out of the area but when I squeezed a little, this gapping whole started from what looked like a “bumble” and so I removed the shafts of the feathers that were there(I did not have to pluck them because they just came out)....so I stopped messing with it because Even thought she was being perfectly calm I felt like it was enough for one day. I washed it out with hydrogen peroxide put the gel on it for any pain she might have then added some neosporin and wrapped it back up with bandages. I don’t really know what to do from here. Bless her heart she didn’t make a sound while I was messing with her poor little foot. I feel so sorry for her