"Blister" between toes and swollen ankle

[Fletch83]

My EE hen has what looks like a blister on the top of the small webbed area between two of her toes, and all around her ankle is visibly swollen. She has been like this for maybe 3 days and was totally fine one day, and then the next morning, was limping and holding her foot up - that is when I noticed the swelling. It seemed fairly sudden but I know chickens can hide injuries well.

I have cleaned and soaked her feet. She has no bumblefoot spot or visible cuts or abrasions. The pad on the bottom of her foot appears healthy. I am concerned about the swelling around her ankle and the blister-like spot. I cannot figure out what has happened. I have been soaking her foot using both epsom salts and antibacterial solution. I don't think it has gotten any worse, but it hasn't gotten noticeably better either since Wednesday. It's difficult since I am not sure what to treat her for and I am always concerned about the possibility of infection in the foot.

I have some Cipro I can dose her with in case of infection, but I don't want to cut into her foot if I don't know what it is. I had thought maybe she got some sort of insect sting, but how long would something like that take to go away?

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I would really appreciate it!

 

[ryanhodapp]

You need some of the experts to chime in.
Sorry to hear about her foot. A picture helps.
I was reading about a possible tick bite or scaly leg mites?

If you think it is bee, what about putting some hydrocortisone cream on it?

Do you have her quarantined? Or a least in smaller space so you can monitor and try to keep foot cleaner. Also maybe she will sit more and give the leg a rest.

Just ideas.

Marlene

 

[GitaBooks]

Scaly leg mites is a possibility, as are tumors, sores, ect. Could you post a picture?

 

[Fletch83]

Was trying to take pictures yesterday but the swelling has actually reduced just enough that it wasn't showing up well in pictures at all (and making me look like a liar!). I'm still soaking the foot but it looks to me like the blister has "deflated."

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm glad she is doing better.

 

[Fletch83]

Thank you! The silkie hen with chicks in your picture is so adorable!

 

[GitaBooks]

Thank you! The silkie hen with chicks in your picture is so adorable!

Thanks.

That's Ginger with her first chick, Jeremiah.