Chicken with arthritis - pain meds

[curiositykt]

So I just came back from the vet, where I brought my chicken in because she's having trouble walking and has a sore on one of her feet. They said that while it might be bumblefoot (my diagnosis) that the fact that she can't bend her toes is more likely to be arthritis, and prescribed Meloxicam (Metacam) and a round of antibiotics to treat the sore on her feet.

So, while I'm ok with the current vet bill of $250 dollars, we are talking about this chicken perhaps being on the Metacam for the rest of her life (she's nearly 7) and the current 2 week treatment is 65 dollars, and this is going to get rather expensive rather quickly. Are there any over the counter options that would also be safe, effective, and somewhat more affordable? (Liquid Ibuprofen or Naproxen seem the most likely, as they are also NSAIDs, and liquid ibuprofen is readily available)

Any ideas on dosage or safety of ibuprofen in chickens?

 

[sylviethecochin]

So I just came back from the vet, where I brought my chicken in because she's having trouble walking and has a sore on one of her feet. They said that while it might be bumblefoot (my diagnosis) that the fact that she can't bend her toes is more likely to be arthritis, and prescribed Meloxicam (Metacam) and a round of antibiotics to treat the sore on her feet.

So, while I'm ok with the current vet bill of $250 dollars, we are talking about this chicken perhaps being on the Metacam for the rest of her life (she's nearly 7) and the current 2 week treatment is 65 dollars, and this is going to get rather expensive rather quickly. Are there any over the counter options that would also be safe, effective, and somewhat more affordable? (Liquid Ibuprofen or Naproxen seem the most likely, as they are also NSAIDs, and liquid ibuprofen is readily available)

Any ideas on dosage or safety of ibuprofen in chickens?

Ibuprofen is poisonous to every animal but humans, I believe. It destroys the gut lining. Humans produce an enzyme that helps in the breakdown of ibuprofen, so we're less affected (and even then, to a limited extent. I can't take Ibuprofen, and neither can my mother.)

Aspirin at 325 mg/gallon of drinking water is considered safe to use in chickens. (5 pills per gallon is a short-term solution; 1 pill per gallon is something you can do long-term without hurting the hen.)

 

[micstrachan]

An avian vet prescribed ibuprofen to my hen, but I would not use it long term. I don’t recall the dose, but there is a dose on the forums here. I’ll see if I can find it.

 

[micstrachan]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...olling-pain-in-poultry.1250629/#post-20064119

 

[Cragg Klefor]

There is someone here who gives their chicken aspirin for arthritis successfully and long term I believe. I can not remember who, hopefully they'll see this post and offer some advice. Best wishes with your little one.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

There is someone here who gives their chicken aspirin for arthritis successfully and long term I believe. I can not remember who, hopefully they'll see this post and offer some advice. Best wishes with your little one.

Edited to add.... so do I btw (give an arthritic chicken aspirin daily), but I don't have as much experience as the person who's post I read before.

 

[cate1124]

So I just came back from the vet, where I brought my chicken in because she's having trouble walking and has a sore on one of her feet. They said that while it might be bumblefoot (my diagnosis) that the fact that she can't bend her toes is more likely to be arthritis, and prescribed Meloxicam (Metacam) and a round of antibiotics to treat the sore on her feet.

So, while I'm ok with the current vet bill of $250 dollars, we are talking about this chicken perhaps being on the Metacam for the rest of her life (she's nearly 7) and the current 2 week treatment is 65 dollars, and this is going to get rather expensive rather quickly. Are there any over the counter options that would also be safe, effective, and somewhat more affordable? (Liquid Ibuprofen or Naproxen seem the most likely, as they are also NSAIDs, and liquid ibuprofen is readily available)

Any ideas on dosage or safety of ibuprofen in chickens?

This is way, way late -- your chicken may have passed -- but you can get 30 tabs of the 7.5 mg Meloxicam from the pharmacy for around $6. (Use Good RX, not insurance.) Studies have shown it is well tolerated by chickens in doses much higher than typically prescribed. Per my chicken vet's instruction, my arthritic girl is on one 7.5 mg tablet every day, indefinitely -- 1/2 a tab early morning, the other half 12 hours later. I think it helps, though it doesn't fix things. But it's something you can do for her, and -- if you can get her to take it in food -- won't cause her any handling/dosing stress.

 

[Victoria Here]

I give my chicken with arthritis, who is 8 years old, 1/2 tab of Metacam twice a day, along with .25 ml of hemp oil (by Lola hemp), I also rub her legs with Topricin Pain Relief Cream (available at Whole Foods or any natural health food store). I don’t pay as much as you for the pills, maybe find another vet. For a 30 day supply I only pay like $40 in Santa Cruz, CA.