DESPERATE for HELP - MAJOR foot problem *PICS*

[CityChick15]

If the scab keeps coming off and the wound will not heal with the aid of vet grade antibiotics it could be a staph infection (there are topical antibiotic ointments specifically for staph in humans, not sure it it is safe for animals). Soaking the poor girls foot in a warm (lightly) salted bath is a great natural remedy and is something my doc recommends for both staph and ingrown toenail (in case the toenail becomes an issue). A soak two- three times per day while feeding her treats could go along way to helping the infection and her moral!
Do you have cats?
If so, check your cats (or other animals) for a wounds. Staph can jump from one species to another (including human to animal and animal to human). If she is still laying that is a great sign!
I would however consider not eating her eggs and probably not feed them to any animals.

Good luck and please keep us updated!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Betadine used once initially to cleanse the area would be alright, but repeated use is irritating to tissue and is detrimental to healing. Epsom salt soaks can be painful after a few minutes--my horse broke every bucket I had soaking an infected foot in it. You have a big infection problem and definitely need to keep it clean and wrapped, plus on antibiotics. Personally, I would call my local vet or even go to a local small animal vet--tell them about the infection and they can give you the right antibiotic. Some infections are gram positive or negative, and a broad spectrum antibiotic would cover everything.

 

[NewEnglandChick]

Thanks all for the help. Based on your answers, I've got a call into the only farm vet around (45 minutes away) to see about bringing her in for treatment and to find out how much she expects it all might cost. Unfortunately I'm not in a financial situation to "go all out" to get her fixed - though I would love to since she's just shy of being 1 year old and is SUPER friendly and sweet and an excellent layer. On the other hand, with a 7 month old baby, I just don't have the time to self-treat her (my husband works nights & sleeps days, so it's not so easy to get free time 2 or 3 times a day to go treat her).

I appreciate all the help and will let you know what the vet says. I'm hoping it will be (somewhat) affordable, and if not I hope I can find her a new home where someone is willing to treat her. I would like to avoid putting her down, as the thought makes me feel so guilty that it's all somehow my fault. In 3 years, I've NEVER had a medical issue with any of my chickens - so I'm just not sure what happened!

Thanks again - your responses have prompted me to get professional advice and, hopefully, the treatment she obviously needs.

 

[rancher hicks]

I didn't read all the postings but I will say this.

What is the No. 1 thing you do with a sick bird, that the OP did NOT do?

Quantine, quantine, quantine. Even with something like this you want to quantine.

As for the infection? These types of things can travel and it appears to be the case. The infection appears to have traveled up the leg.

Had a co-worker get an infection on his hand and by the time he went to the Doc's it had traveled up his arm. Doc said if he hadn't come in when he did he would have lost his arm.

As for what to do there is plenty of good advice. Just remember to quantine any sick bird.

Hope all goes well.

Rancher

 

[NewEnglandChick]

Took the little girl to the vet and the doc diagnosed her with a fungal infection with trace amounts of bacteria. She scraped the scab off to swab the wound and decided to swab her other toe, since it looked like it might have the same problem. When she started to scrape the second toe, the entire nail and nail-bed came right out - GROSS!

We have an ointment to put on both toes (and her chest where the foot was touching while roosting and has possibly caused an infection) and have a custom anti-fungal on the way via the mail order vet pharmacy. Should see some results in a week (if it is in fact fungal). No foot wrapping, as she would rather have her pick at the ointment (and ingest it for internal treatment) than have her pick at a bandage. She's now residing in a large dog kennel - currently out on the lawn so she can still be part of the flock, and at night will be in our garage.

Wish us luck! We should see results in about a week's time or so - if it is fungal.

On a side note, in order to pay for such expenses we've decided to put my beautiful rooster to good use and start hatching (and selling some eggs). My chicken hobby is about to hit a whole new level! THIS is about to get interesting!!

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
THERE is the silver lining! It's always there...

 

[kuntrygirl]

Good luck with your girl.

Glad that she has you to care for her.

Very informative vet visit. Thanks for sharing your visit with us. It's always good to learn from others.

 

[schellie69]

that your hen will heal. Had a hen last summer who had an infection that traveled up her leg, we had to cull. I hope your girl does better and good luck with your new chicken adventure.