Bumblefoot?!

[kuchchicks]

This Polish has been lethargic. Was treating for coccidiosis just cuz I could not figure out what was wrong. Found her foot like this tonight.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Bumblefoot will have a injury to the bottom of the foot, so see if there's something there. A swollen foot without the sore could be from an injury, gout, kidney problems, things like that.

 

[kuchchicks]

Don't see any sores but bottom is swollen too.

So if not Bumblefoot, how should I treat? Broad spectrum antibiotics? I have some oral I can add to water. If kidney problems I'm at a loss as to what to do.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Doesn't appear to be Bumblefoot, hopefully the more knowledgeable ones will help out, is she walking okay, how old and what is her diet like.

 

[kuchchicks]

Did not notice any lameness when walking. She actually was not doing much walking at all. She is using both feet equally but moving very slowly in all of her movements. I did not even realize the blisters until tonight when I picked her up to talk to her. She is not favoring the foot at all. There does seem to be a very small amount of clear fluid coming from one of the blisters- very very small amount.

I have thought of soaking in Epsom salt and the possibility applying a layer of Vaseline and honey (read that the osmotic properties of honey would draw the fluid out of the blister and is good for infection). Thoughts anyone?!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would try that, without any visible wounds my guess is gout, has it been cold, it could be some frost bite, though that would turn it black after a few days.

 

[kuchchicks]

I thought about gout too but does not appear painful and not in the joints...more like tissue between the toes. It has been cold for about 3 days...single digits over night. But her first day of acting lethargic was before the cold snap.

I read somewhere that Bumblefoot could be present with the sore/scab if if was a "micro" injury. I guess regardless I will have to treat the symptoms at this point since I just don't know. Tomorrow going to start broad spectrum oral antibiotics. Did the soak and applied honey. She's tolerates it all very well-too well for a Polish and for her which makes me worry the most. I just hope it's not contagious. I had her with several other pullets and pretty young hens.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That sounds like the best course of action, I don't think it's contagious, it could be the scab hasn't shown up yet, or maybe she sprained it, either way time will tell, so sorry I can't be more helpful.

 

[kuchchicks]

No you have been! Sometimes a sounding board to make sure you are not off in outer space is just what you need.

 

[charsbird]

Check the deep webbing between the toes. Could be a crud ball has developed and you can push it out from the top. Tends to come back if that's what it is, so check feet often.