Help! Sleepy and lethargic chicken

[Megaguirus]

Alright, thank you. I'll go back to the feedstore on Friday and see what I think will do best. I do like the idea of oral, because I know she's getting it and it'll be just for her.

As for the feet, we do not have any epsom salts at home, so I'll have to buy those later, too. No, I haven't had a good look at the bottoms of her feet, and won't be able to until tomorrow when Mom can help hold her. And when she does walk, it does seem a little like limping.

I gave them reptile acidophilus, which can also be used for birds. I doubt that's the reason, though, because her feet were looking swollen before I gave the probiotics, and why would her feet swell from them and the others not?

Thanks for the continued help, I'll keep you posted.

 

[Megaguirus]

Okay, so I am still yet to get the roundworm anti-parasitic and the epsom salt, but I've been doing some research about her feet and it looks like it might be bumblefoot. I don't see any defined scabs, but I also haven't washed her feet yet. However, I read that it doesn't just stem from cuts, they can also get it from moist ground softening the scales or heavy landings. They love playing on the roof (which is slanted, but a couple of feet off the ground either way) and we've had near constant rainy days, which could account for the moisture. Yes, I am also going to pick up straw and lay it in their run to prevent that so the other two don't get it.

Bumblefoot could account for her feeling lethargic too (since that is still the only symptom). And with her immune system being weakened by the infection, that is probably why she got the parasites when the others are fine. The swelling is getting worse, so I know I have to do something quick (this has been going on for a week and I hate myself for letting it get this bad. I didn't know something like this even existed!). I've been reading of how to deal with the infection at home, but Mom isn't comfortable with performing the surgery. The vet is 30 minutes away, and I don't even know how much the surgery may cost, and I can't call until the morning since they're closed today. Mom is thinking of looking around for a closer livestock vet, so we're going to ask the farm where we got them later today.

I will still get the salts and the roundworm meds, but I fear this bumblefoot might be the whole reason for everything going on and I need to focus my full attention on that.

Anyway, I have to go run some errands now, and I'll continue to keep you posted (and give clearer pics of the feet later, the undersides too) but some advice would be helpful. Mom is even talking euthanasia (because she regards them as livestock), since bumblefoot can lead to a slow and painful death if left untreated, but they're pets to me and I'll do anything to help Frosty.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've been doing some research about her feet and it looks like it might be bumblefoot. I don't see any defined scabs, but I also haven't washed her feet yet. However, I read that it doesn't just stem from cuts, they can also get it from moist ground softening the scales or heavy landings.

I would go ahead and worm her since the vet confirmed those with testing. Worms can really drag a bird down.

When you get a chance, post some photos of the legs and feet (bottom of the foot too)
Usually you will see a defined scab if it's on the bottom of the foot, but swelling on top of the foot that is red can also be "bumblefoot". If the foot is infected severely, then that might account for some of the lethargy.

 

[Megaguirus]

Okay, sorry it took so long to get back to you. It was raining for a few days, so I couldn't do much for the chickens.

Firstly, Frosty's temperament is starting to look up since the Corid. She still doesn't like standing or walking, but is spending more times out with the others. Secondly, I gave her a salt soak just a moment ago, which gave me the opportunity to clean her feet and grab some pics. They are the best I can do without asking Mom to hold her. I thought that there was mud on one of them, but it didn't seem to wash off. Could that be the scab? It's in one of the pictures, in the center of the swelling on the bottom. Both feet are definitely swollen, but one is more severe.

I also laid some straw down on the muddy parts of their run, though Mom and I are discussing just moving the run and coop to a drier location. When we chose that area it was a very dry spring and we didn't see ahead to a rainy summer.

Thanks for any continued replies.

 

[coach723]

In your first picture it does look like a bit of bumblefoot, it appears very small, so hopefully will be easy. This is what I would do. To that foot apply some decolorized iodine to that tiny scab/spot and wrap with co flex bandaging over night. Next day remove the bandage and remove that scab, it will probably come off pretty easily (Wear rubber gloves, it's usually a staph infection). Squeeze the foot to make sure to get any pus out of it (if there is any, it will be firm like hard cheese) or use tweezers to get it out. You may have to squeeze pretty firmly. If there is any gunk in there make sure to get it all out, sometimes it's just what is attached to the scab. Then put some plain neosporin on it, fill the hole if there is one, apply a bit of gauze and wrap it again. Change bandages every day until you know it's healing and then you can change every 2 or 3 to keep it clean and keep an eye on it until it heals up. You can reapply the neosporin or use veterycin spray. The other foot I would do just topical at this point, you can use some veterycin spray on it and wrap it. I don't see an obvious scab, it looks like dirt. But if it is a scab do the same as for the other foot. Just don't wrap it too tightly, you just want it to stay on and protect the foot, not cut off circulation. This is basically they way to do it, if you do the decolorized iodine you don't have to soak first, if you prefer to soak, do it that way: https://www.tillysnest.com/2015/12/non-surgical-bumblefoot-treatment.html/?spref=pi

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree with @coach723 it looks like Bumblefoot. I would try the Decolorized (clear) Iodine as she suggested.

It's good that you put straw down to help with the muddy run. If you have drier ground and can move them that may help, but having a place where they can get up out of the wetness is also good.

 

[Megaguirus]

Alright, so I bought the decolorized iodine and co flex on Sunday and will put it on her foot later today. However, since your posts, I bought epsom salt and have been doing ten minute soaks every morning. She still doesn't like the spa treatment, but her temperament is good. Before I apply the iodine and bandages though, I have a couple of questions.

Firstly, do I apply the iodine and wrap it right before bed or can I do it any yime of day? Same question goes for removing the bandage and the scab. Should I still give her ten minutes soaks in salt when the infection is gone? I'd like to think it would speed up the healing process.

Lastly, on the foot that appears in the first photo a scab has revealed itself. The black on the bottom was mud and is no longer there, but one is popping up on the side of her foot. I think the salt soaks are helping to pull the infection out.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can apply the Clear Iodine any time of the day. Wrap the foot well and try to keep it dry. If you need to cage her and place her on dry bedding.

Once you remove the scab and whatever pus is in the foot, flush it very well and pack the hole with a triple antibiotic ointment. Wrap the foot and keep her on clean dry bedding.
Check the foot daily.
You can soak the foot in epsom salts once the hole is scabbing back over.

The other foot, I would watch that one. Hopefully the soaking will bring up anything that's there and you will be able to treat that one too. I would only treat one foot at a time.

 

[Megaguirus]

Okay, thank you very much for the advice. I will keep you posted on her condition and if something shows up on the other foot.