Has anyone here dealt with gout in poultry?

[azygous]

I have a six-year old Speckled Sussex that appears to have gout. A few weeks ago, it was a mystery as to why she held her foot up and didn't want to put her weight on it. It obviously causes her pain.

The foot at the time appeared completely normal, no swelling, no scabs, no scaly mites. But now, her middle talon has a hard swelling at the middle joint. It's the only anomaly I can see. I am reaching the conclusion she has gout.

But in all the research I've tried, I can find no treatment to relieve the symptoms and pain of gout.

Has anyone treated gout in any of their chickens?

 

[Beekissed]

Try some epsom salts soak and Castor Oil as a palliative treatment. Might try cutting back on overly rich feeds if you are giving them...I had one hen that would develop symptoms like that if I got my protein too high, but it would resolve itself when the protein was cut back. The CO helped relieve the pain in the meantime.

 

[Eggcessive]

Since it is only in the one toe joint, it sounds more like an injury. Vets can prescribe metacam for inflammation, but 81mg aspirin twice a day would be the way to go without a vet prescription. Articular gout in the pictures I have seen usually involve the whole feet in both legs. Beekissed's recommendations certainly may help as well. Here is a good article to read if you haven't seen it: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/3509/gout-management-in-poultry/

 

[azygous]

Thanks for the good info. I did see that article in my research, but re-reading it was helpful. I've been giving her half a baby aspirin once a day, so I will try the whole 81mg twice a day and see if that helps.

 

[azygous]

Try some epsom salts soak and Castor Oil as a palliative treatment. Might try cutting back on overly rich feeds if you are giving them...I had one hen that would develop symptoms like that if I got my protein too high, but it would resolve itself when the protein was cut back. The CO helped relieve the pain in the meantime.

I did try Epsom salt soaks for the first week I attempted to treat her without any improvement. I have also been massaging cannabis infused coconut oil into her foot and leg with no apparent relief for her pain.

I've been feeding fermented 18% all flock feed for years. Not sure if I can find anything with less protein, and layer isn't a possibility since she isn't currently laying. What about feeding her oatmeal temporarily? Any other dietary suggestions?

 

[Beekissed]

I did try Epsom salt soaks for the first week I attempted to treat her without any improvement. I have also been massaging cannabis infused coconut oil into her foot and leg with no apparent relief for her pain.

I've been feeding fermented 18% all flock feed for years. Not sure if I can find anything with less protein, and layer isn't a possibility since she isn't currently laying. What about feeding her oatmeal temporarily? Any other dietary suggestions?

Nope...sounds like you have it covered, though CO is a good bit different than coconut oil, so that's not likely to effect any changes...even with the MJ added. Could be it's just time to cull this one to relieve her suffering.

 

[samanthaacbrown]

I took in a sick pullet around Christmas and finally decided it is gout. She has been lame and passing very hard urates. I am trying to save her, right now she won't open her eyes or eat or drink on her own so I am syringe feeding her. Any ideas on treatment would be appreciated!

 

[azygous]

I wish I could be of help. I gave up on my patient with gout. She had completely lost the use of one foot, couldn't roost without falling off the perch, and had no appetite and had diarrhea. Vitamin B therapy, antibiotics, vitamin E, selenium and prednisone, nothing helped. I euthanized her yesterday to stop both her and my suffering.