Guinea hen limping extremely bad need help

AnimalmomSarah

Songster
Feb 26, 2019
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(Central) Ohio, USA
My guinea hen has been limping for the past few days- it’s getting worse. It’s to the point now she’s walking a little then laying down. She flies to try and keep up with her flock. We were finally able to take a look at her feet tonight. I tried to take the best pictures I could for comparison. Does this look like bumble foot? She’s to the point she’s flying more than walking. Really worried about her. I rubbed vet rx on her legs and feet in case of mites (read this may help on a forum), but I really don’t think mites are the issue. Her one foot looks way more swollen than the other. Note: I didn’t see any noticeable scratches, punctures, or wounds to her foot. Thank for your help.
 

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I don't see an obvious bumble, so it may just be sprain/strain. There is one tiny spot that I can't tell if it's dirt or a tiny wound, I would just check that to make sure there isn't a splinter of something in there, that could become bumblefoot. I would do daily soaks in epsom salts or warm water with a bit of table salt in it, that should help with swelling. I don't have guinea's so don't know how they do being crated, but if they do OK then crating her in the run so she can rest the foot for a day or two may help to minimize her movement and let it rest.
Tiny spot I was referring to:
Inked0C4BC6EF-4669-4AD6-AD48-CA827C2C56FB_LI.jpg
 
Yes, it's bumblefoot and it needs something to make the infection 'gather' (common parlance) or 'come to a head' (more folksy talk, because it's very appropriate), so it can then drain or be drained.
Best option in my opinion is PRID found at pharmacies (including Walmart I'm told). Here I posted more about it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-help.1310876/#post-21367758
Thank you! She’s not moving anymore. Last night we did an epsom salt bath on her feet. Thoroughly dried them. We then applied iodine and a drawl out salve. I will definitely get some PRID. She was not a happy guinea. Had no idea they could hiss or bite so hard! Lol
 
I don't see an obvious bumble, so it may just be sprain/strain. There is one tiny spot that I can't tell if it's dirt or a tiny wound, I would just check that to make sure there isn't a splinter of something in there, that could become bumblefoot. I would do daily soaks in epsom salts or warm water with a bit of table salt in it, that should help with swelling. I don't have guinea's so don't know how they do being crated, but if they do OK then crating her in the run so she can rest the foot for a day or two may help to minimize her movement and let it rest.
Tiny spot I was referring to:
View attachment 1822558
Good eye!! I will look again. I really wonder if it’s a sprain or something. She’s not moving at all. She’s completely lame today :(.
 
Interesting idea with the sprain... One of my hens got scared by a hawk and managed to sprain her leg. The hawk had no chance of getting at them but still managed to harm her. :mad: Why am I mentioning this? Because her limp went from severe, to less severe, to light, and aprox a week later it was gone, see what I mean? It didn't worsen over time.
How is her appetite? If the bumblefoot is serious, their appetite decreases. To note - bumblefoot doesn't always present with a scab, but I think I see something (lower left). :idunno If you're already applying a drawing salve, then I would hold off on the PRID (which is a drawing salve itself), maybe what you're already using will be enough.
 
Interesting idea with the sprain... One of my hens got scared by a hawk and managed to sprain her leg. The hawk had no chance of getting at them but still managed to harm her. :mad: Why am I mentioning this? Because her limp went from severe, to less severe, to light, and aprox a week later it was gone, see what I mean? It didn't worsen over time.
How is her appetite? If the bumblefoot is serious, their appetite decreases. To note - bumblefoot doesn't always present with a scab, but I think I see something (lower left). :idunno If you're already applying a drawing salve, then I would hold off on the PRID (which is a drawing salve itself), maybe what you're already using will be enough.
She’s now flying to move. She’s not walking at all :( she isn’t eating or drinking to my knowledge. I spread some feed on the coop floor for her, and moved the waterer to the ground. Poor thing. I think it’s time for a vet visit.
 

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