Baby chick with swollen foot - what in the world? PLEASE HELP........

[Eggcessive]

Swollen sinuses could very well be mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG.). Just keep up good biosecurity measures, but it is hard to completely be safe with diseases.

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

I will continue with my cleaning steps. It is hard when you have chicks, juveniles, and adults all in different quarters....

I did realize that I had added something to the chicks diet just days ago that may have caused some sort of reaction for this particular chick. It's called "Baby Cakes". Package says it "supports normal avian health" and is like a dry suet thingy that they can peck at. They all seem to love it and it is about half eaten. I have removed it now.


I checked the chick's feet again just a bit ago and took some pictures. The previously unaffected right foot now looks to be red and has some bumps. The left swollen foot is warm to the touch. I feel so badly, I have nothing to give the chick for pain!! I don't know what to do to help it.



New red bumps on the previously unaffected right foot


New red bumps on the previously unaffected right foot


Chick looks so sad.... Eyes are not wide open like normal


Swollen left foot, looks more puffy & red than earlier today (pictures in original post, page 1)

 

[debster1556]

My chick had footpad dermatitus and I tried EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING and could to get it to go away. Didn't have the swelling but did have red bumps. If you look at my previous posts, there are some pics. I ended up having my husband dispatch her. It was the hardest thing ever.... I couldn't see her suffer anymore. Her symptoms started when she was still very little. Let me know if you think it's the same thing.

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

I looked at the pictures and my chick's feet have raised round bumps. His comb is swollen. Poor baby... Still not sure what to do!

 

[chicken11602]

I'm still confident it has bumble foot :/

 

[Eggcessive]

With the second foot swelling, and the respiratory symptoms, mycoplasma synoviae (MS) could possibly be a problem. Do you see swelling of the leg joints? Have you started any Tylan? If not I probably would try it since it treats MS. Here is a link on MS: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/99/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-ms-infectious-synovitis

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

My husband is out of town this weekend and he is the shot giver so I have not given any Tylan-50 to the chick. I have given Benedryl (very small amount in water) and given Epsom salt soaks. The swollen foot is the same as well as the bumps. What was the good leg/foot looks bad now (raised round bumps) but no foot swelling like in the bad foot. The leg joints are not swollen.

I don't believe there are any respiratory symptoms - what did you mean?

I've read in other posts that over the counter antibiotics can be given - what are some to use?

I do take the chicks outside in the grass, could something have bitten the chick and the swelling/bumps are a reaction??? I know you don't really know, I was just thinking out loud I guess. This is very frustrating - I don't know what to do!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Tylan 50 injectable (also can give orally,) Gallimycin (erythromycin,) oxytetracycline, and LS50 can all be used to treat MS. The last 3 and procaine penicillin G injectable will also treat staph infections if that could be the cause--bumblefoot is a staph infection. Respiratory symptoms are swollen sinus or any facial or eye swelling, runny nose, eye drainage and crust, and any sneezing or throat rattles. I hope you can figure out the cause, but I would check into getting the chick tested for MG and MS. This can be done by a blood test drawn by the vet, or if the chick is sacrificed and sent to the state vet for a necropsy. You would really want to know if your flock is positive for either of those.

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

Thank you for that information!

 

[RobinFarmGirl]

Updated photos. Not the clearest tho. Swollen foot has a few dark spots, scabs I guess. Other foot is now more red w/bumps. Some of the toes on the swollen foot are discolored; not pink like healthy skin. Also, the feet are not hot to the touch.

This is heartbreaking.