Growth on knee joints

[Mouzel]

hi help anyone please, I haven't taken any pics yet but I noticed when putting girls away that my oldest Bridget has a large growth on her knee It feels quite soft but is quite large I don't know how I haven't noticed it before, and there seems to be another coming up an her other leg any ideas what it could be please , never seen it before and a bit worried about her, only noticed as she was quite wobbly when she got up, she's around 9 now.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Mouzel,

Yes, pictures would be very helpful.

The inflammation can be anything, from infected calluses, to infectious disease of the joints.

Post those photos, and I'm sure the members here at BYC will be able to help you.

Until then, if she is not bleeding from any injury, you can give her half a low dose 80 mg. aspirin. She can have up to 120 mg. of aspirin a day. Give only 40 mg. twice or three times a day. But, this is just a short term treatment to make her more comfortable. Aspirin should not be a long term treatment, as it will irritate the intestines. Also, follow with some food as a buffer.

At her age of 9 years, she may need a padded perch.

You can also apply an ointment to her knees and lightly wrap them, to help with the inflammation. I use "The Rub Arnica Cream", it's great for pain and inflammation, helps people and animals.

Also, please note whether she is laying, eating, and pooping normally, as these are also important indicators of the state of the hen's general health.

These are my thoughts on your hen's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is your chicken? How do the joints in the feet look? Swelling in foot and leg joints can be a sign of bacterial joint infection including mycoplasma synovitis. It helps to have pictures. Here is an article about mycoplasma synovitis (MS)
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-in-poultry

 

[Eggcessive]

Swelling of the leg and swollen joints are common in MS

 

[Mouzel]

Greetings Mouzel,

Yes, pictures would be very helpful.

The inflammation can be anything, from infected calluses, to infectious disease of the joints.

Post those photos, and I'm sure the members here at BYC will be able to help you.

Until then, if she is not bleeding from any injury, you can give her half a low dose 80 mg. aspirin. She can have up to 120 mg. of aspirin a day. Give only 40 mg. twice or three times a day. But, this is just a short term treatment to make her more comfortable. Aspirin should not be a long term treatment, as it will irritate the intestines. Also, follow with some food as a buffer.

At her age of 9 years, she may need a padded perch.

You can also apply an ointment to her knees and lightly wrap them, to help with the inflammation. I use "The Rub Arnica Cream", it's great for pain and inflammation, helps people and animals.

View attachment 1529769

Also, please note whether she is laying, eating, and pooping normally, as these are also important indicators of the state of the hen's general health.

These are my thoughts on your hen's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

Hi Thanks so much for replying and the advice, yes she's still laying, eating and pooping as normal, scruffy due to being in molt which is why I noticed the swelling. She has never slept on a perch for whatever reason she prefers it on the ground!
I will see if I can find the arnica rub for her in the UK also do you think i could give her children's aspirin?

 

[Mouzel]

Greetings Mouzel,

Yes, pictures would be very helpful.

The inflammation can be anything, from infected calluses, to infectious disease of the joints.

Post those photos, and I'm sure the members here at BYC will be able to help you.

Until then, if she is not bleeding from any injury, you can give her half a low dose 80 mg. aspirin. She can have up to 120 mg. of aspirin a day. Give only 40 mg. twice or three times a day. But, this is just a short term treatment to make her more comfortable. Aspirin should not be a long term treatment, as it will irritate the intestines. Also, follow with some food as a buffer.

At her age of 9 years, she may need a padded perch.

You can also apply an ointment to her knees and lightly wrap them, to help with the inflammation. I use "The Rub Arnica Cream", it's great for pain and inflammation, helps people and animals.

View attachment 1529769

Also, please note whether she is laying, eating, and pooping normally, as these are also important indicators of the state of the hen's general health.

These are my thoughts on your hen's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

Hi Thanks so much for replying and the advice, yes she's still laying, eating and pooping as normal, scruffy due to being in molt which is why I noticed the swelling. She has never slept on a perch for whatever reason she prefers it on the ground!
I will see if I can find the arnica rub for her in the UK also do you think i could give her children's aspirin?

 

[dawg53]

My first thought was gout. If it's gout, a change in diet might help.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Wow! That is certainly one of the largest nodules I've seen in long time.

Gout is a possibility. But, you will need to take several photos of the nodules/swellings. Close ups will be most helpful.

You may need to lance that large nodule to see if you can release any fluid/pus. Be prepared to scrub the lancing point, and apply an antibiotic ointment if needed. Great care must be taken not to spread infection, because it is on the joint.

The fact that another nodule/swelling is appearing on the opposite knee, could mean she has:

Articular Gout (excessive protein in diet, swollen foot joints)

Or - infectious synovitis (bacterial, joints hot to touch, also causes breast blisters)

Or - Staphylococcic arthritis (bacterial, fever, joints hot to touch), etc.


A broad spectrum antibiotic may be needed. Yes, baby aspirin can be used, it too is a low dose. Do not exceed 120 mg. per day, do not use long term, follow with food to protect intestines, do not use if there is active bleeding.

You should check her keel bone to see if she has lost weight, then, weigh her and monitor her weight. If she feels thin, she may have an infection that is causing her not to eat enough, which may be why she is unsteady on her feet, as well as having some pain.

Provide good supportive care, feed her well: cooked whole grains, cooked meats, fresh greens and diced fruit, as well as her feed. Electrolytes in her water, and a dose of poultry vitamins for three days, will be beneficial.

God Bless

 

[Eggcessive]

Since it could be one of several different bacterial or viral joint infections, I would ask your regular vet if they could do a culture and sensitivity or PCR test of the joint fluid. That way the correct antibiotic may be used to treat the infection. Mycoplasma synovitis, staphylococcus, pseudomonas, and E.coli are all possible bacteria that can cause hock swelling. In this link the hock has a smaller lump, and in the bottom picture is a pseudomonas infection:

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-in-poultry