Foot injury and limping

[UrbanHenBilly]

Hello everyone,
We have three very pretty young Welsummers, and one seems to have injured her leg considerably. Could I ask your advice please?

She got caught as I was dragging a piece of lawn furniture, scraped up the back of her leg at the toe joint, and has been limping for the last couple of days.

At first I thought it was just the big skin abrasion/removal around her heel.
Then I thought it could be bumblefoot, because I saw a small black mark on her pad and it seems slightly swollen. Not huge, just a bit bigger than the other. The scab wasn't big. I think it's my imagination.

My wife thinks she may have dislocated something as her toe splays a bit.

Her pad is swollen and there is a dark green-black bruise between her outside toes. I've been soaking in epsom salt, cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and applying triple antibiotic ointment and bandage.

Then, I figured her limp could be worse from the bandage pressing on the joint, so I ran out and sprayed Blue Kote on her skin, so now she’s just a mess.

She can limp, run when needed, has clear eyes and eats decently. She lays around a lot, and I’m going to keep her isolated and well-fed. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks!
Billy

 

[lizsmall99]

Hi there!
It seems to me that you are doing everything right by separating them. Make sure your hen is eating, drinking, and moving around. If the injury gets worse, go to a vet. Chicken vets may sound silly, but it's quite worth it. It's not as expensive as you think

I would also get some vetericyn. Put it on three times a day and it will heal up nicely. I use this with antibiotics that the vet prescribes and it is amazing. If they give you a pill, put it inside a grape or raisin so that they eat it without knowing.

Hope this helps!

 

[boskelli1571]

Hello & welcome!

If you could get a picture of her feet that would be helpful. If the skin is unbroken with a huge bruise, it's likely one of 3 things - simple bruising, dislocation of a joint or a fracture.
You are doing all the right things - soaking is good, if the skin is broken triple A ointment is good. I would leave the bandage off as it will impede her ability to walk. If her mobility doesn't improve over the next week or so, you could try a veterinary ($$). Unless she appears to be in distress with the foot, I would tend to wait and see.
To ease your mind, I have a hen who has a chronically dislocated toe, doesn't seem to bother her in the least.

 

[UrbanHenBilly]

Wow, that was quick! Thank you both.
I'll try to post a picture tomorrow, but she's covered in splotches of Blue Kote, so they're next to worthless.
She does eat and drink well, so I'll pick up some vertericyn tomorrow at Tractor Supply when I go to get a nicer isolation pen for her.

 

[lizsmall99]

Glad I could help!