Chick with swollen areas. Need help.

[dixiewitch1989]

We received a batch of 53 chicks from MurryMcMurray (their assortment bargain) about 3 weeks ago. Since then I have only lost one after it became lethargic and wouldn't eat or drink. So now have 52.
Last week I noticed one chick had a slight swelling on the comb and that it had three small lumps on one leg. At the time I assumed a wasp or something had gotten into the brooder house and it had attempted to catch it(I find them in there on occasion) It acted perfectly healthy otherwise. I spend a couple hours watching them and interacting with them daily and i do full inspections of the chicks everyother day.
The swollen area discolored and that section of comb died. The spots on the leg swelled slightly more and darkened but never felt hot or puss filled. I applied ointment to the areas during my inspections.
This morning as I was greated by the usual swarming of chicks when I entered the brooder house. But immediately noticed that one didn't move right. The one with the swollen spots.
It moved stiff, peg leg like. One wing droops lower than the other. The swelling has spread, it is now both legs and I can see it on its face. There is also a knot on its chest. This swelling increase and the extent of discoloration happened within the last day as this is inspection day. He clearly hurts but still eats and is trying to move with the flock. But his legs actually seem to be twisted.
His breathing seems fine.
The swollen skin feels hot now.
I am including pictures to show the areas. If his eyes are closed it's only because he was trying to squirm away.

 

[dixiewitch1989]

Any advice would be great. I am hoping this isn't some kind of disease

 

[dixiewitch1989]

An update for this morning. He seems slightly more puffed this morning and his comb and wattle appear to be a little paler than yesterday, not sure if that's a good sign or bad. Swelling looks the same. I'm putting vitamins and electrolytes in the water.
Hubby suggested to try rubbing oil on its legs and comb in case it's some kind of skin mite but I haven't done so yet since that's going to make stuff stick to it and make it harder to move.
Still hoping someone can give some advice..

 

[Eggcessive]

Where are you located? I would susupect the dry form of fowl pox, a virus carried by mosquitoes. It will cause raised scabs on the face, comb, wattles, and legs. Ants might also be the problem. Watch for scabs around the eyes, and if that occurs, you may want to use a little antibiotic ointment in the eyes. There is no treatment for fowl pox, and scabs should be left alone. Some do dab on some Betadine on scabs to help dry them. If any chick seems especially sick, look inside the beak and throat for any yellow lesions which could be the wet form of pox. That type if more serious. Here is some reading about pox:
http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/fowl-pox-backyard-flocks

 

[dixiewitch1989]

Where are you located? I would susupect the dry form of fowl pox, a virus carried by mosquitoes. It will cause raised scabs on the face, comb, wattles, and legs. Ants might also be the problem. Watch for scabs around the eyes, and if that occurs, you may want to use a little antibiotic ointment in the eyes. There is no treatment for fowl pox, and scabs should be left alone. Some do dab on some Betadine on scabs to help dry them. If any chick seems especially sick, look inside the beak and throat for any yellow lesions which could be the wet form of pox. That type if more serious. Here is some reading about pox:
http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/fowl-pox-backyard-flocks

I am eastern Texas.
I am confused on how it could have possibly contracted it, the first symptoms appeared before we began letting them out in their run. Do wild birds frequently carry this? An infected bird gets bit by mosquito then said mosquito manages to get in the brooder house and bites the chick? Got plenty of mosquitoes here, I live next to a small Creek!
No other chicks are showing signs at this time, can you tell me what kind of incubation time this stuff has?
I'll quarantine the infected chick but they have already all been exposed.
You said there is no treatment, what about a vaccine?
Thank you so much for responding! I really really appreciate it

 

[dixiewitch1989]

And then I read the link and realise that it answers All my questions

 

[dixiewitch1989]

So I was looking into the vaccine for this and the ones that I found locally are not meant to be given before 8 weeks of age. Is this the case for all versions of the vaccine or is there something out there that can be given sooner?

 

[Eggcessive]

Apparently Zoetis makes one for younger birds, but I do not see anyone that sells it. Since this case looks a bit unusual, I would watch for any more clues as to what it is. Pox is my best guess, but I still wonder about ants or other insects. If more mosquitoes get in, they can also bite the other chicks, so I would try to prevent mosquitoes.

 

[dixiewitch1989]

The chick was even more swollen this morning. It was unable to walk and clearly in pain, would not open it's eyes, eat or drink. even if it somehow recovered at this point it would not be "right" with the way the swelling has twisted its joints. I have put the chick down to end it's agony.
I did my own necropsy on it to see if I could notice anything. While this is my first time inspecting a chick, I have done necropsies on a few adult chickens. To me the flesh and meat seemed really red, inflamed around the legs and thighs. The organs seemed normal. No spots in the mouth to suggest wet pox.
I inspected my group again, and noticed several have small white bumps on their feet or lower legs now. I would assume ant bites normally.
I'm thinking I have either a case of dry pox as you suggested @Eggcessive or perhaps a spider/ ant bites and sick chick became infected, or something.
Anybody else have input?

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss. If you see anything like this again, I would send the body for a necropsy and testing by the state vet. Do you have any other chickens older than the new chicks? The pictures of the legs had swelling that looked like swollen joints, similar to MS, a bacterial infection of the joints. Because of the spots on the bumps, and the bumps on the face, it seemed more like fowl pox, but hard to know for sure.