Hen limping, black specks and not using 1 leg much

[Eggcessive]

I haven’t had any chickens who got severe frostbite on feet before. But I think it should be at it’s worst now. The really severe frostbite of toes or feet usually will turn black and dry up, and those dead tips may take a month or more to fall off. To find out if there is a good blood supply you could prick the skin, and if it bleeds, it is alive. When you have the milder type, you may see some peeling of skin over the next couple of weeks. Here is a pretty severe case that was documented over time:
https://rescuingmissmanor.wordpress.com/

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another thread with recovery time and treatments documented:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbitten-feet-the-adventures-of-scout.67277/

 

[Joyze172]

I haven’t had any chickens who got severe frostbite on feet before. But I think it should be at it’s worst now. The really severe frostbite of toes or feet usually will turn black and dry up, and those dead tips may take a month or more to fall off. To find out if there is a good blood supply you could prick the skin, and if it bleeds, it is alive. When you have the milder type, you may see some peeling of skin over the next couple of weeks. Here is a pretty severe case that was documented over time:
https://rescuingmissmanor.wordpress.com/

Thank you for the resource. That little rescue was so fortunate. Frostbite is aweful.

Here is another thread with recovery time and treatments documented:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbitten-feet-the-adventures-of-scout.67277/

Great thread. What a little sweety Scout is.

 

[Joyze172]

UPDATE:

So I think she is improving. Not sure it's because I am giving her Aspirin twice a day or she is healing. Still not sure if its frostbite or an injury. My other 3 Wyandottes feet look identical to hers and they are active and fine.

I moved her into a larger crate to let her move around and scratch more now that she is putting more weight on her leg.

Planning to take her to the vet in 2 days at the 2 week mark. I am hoping to get her out with the flock but want to make sure it's safe for her and it's not something more than frostbite.

This is her progress and how she is walking now. She sits down alot yet.

 

[Eggcessive]

She still is having trouble with that left leg, and pecked at the foot in the video. I looked back over the previous videos, and she does kind of go backwards on her left leg in one of them. Then she doesn’t walk on it a lot in the last one. The discolored skin on the left foot could be some frostbite, but I hope that is all it is. You are taking very good care of her, and I just hope it isn’t something more serious. Your vet may like to see your videos posted here to see how she holds it up. Keep us posted on how she gets along.

 

[Joyze172]

She still is having trouble with that left leg, and pecked at the foot in the video. I looked back over the previous videos, and she does kind of go backwards on her left leg in one of them. Then she doesn’t walk on it a lot in the last one. The discolored skin on the left foot could be some frostbite, but I hope that is all it is. You are taking very good care of her, and I just hope it isn’t something more serious. Your vet may like to see your videos posted here to see how she holds it up. Keep us posted on how she gets along.

Thank you for your support.

I noticed in the beginning of all this if she used the leg it was behind her and she tends to not grasp things like the perch while standing on it.

I forgot to give her the aspirin last night. This morning she was excited and bubbly waiting to go in the bigger crate. She was using the leg a bit more, stood on it to itch the other side of her neck (balancing on it was still an issue but better than the last time I saw her do it.).

Still lifts and favors it.

I am anxious to see what the vet says and am hoping it's just something minor. Will keep you posted.

 

[Joyze172]

Took her to the vet and after an xray it appears she injured her left tendon at the hock. Kind of like a people ACL injury.



I was reassured that I did great by giving her aspirin (81 mg morning and night). Was easy to give, she just gobbled the pill right up. I tried to hide it in bread in the beginning but she would pick it out or fling the pill when shaking the bread. Fyi she is a 5 lb pullet.

Well today I named her Lacey. 2nd chicken to be named in our flock. Needed to so I could pick up meds at CVS.

Treatment is Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets- given twice daily for 7 days then once daily for 21 days for a total of 30 days. Has to be crated for min 30 days with NO jumping or roosting.

Seems so long to be away from the flock. Still to cold to put her in the crate with the others. Kind of glad its winter for her, the flock free ranges 3 acres from spring til fall and they would have left her in the crate in the coop to forage.

I am so lucky she is a good natured chicken. She was great at the vet. Letting everyone hold her or look at her in the crate (no panicking) even when a puppy came by, no nipping, very placid, was preening me and herself while the vet did the exam. Sounded like she didn't like the xray though and acted a bit stressed after that.

She a keeper! ❤❤

Will keep posting her recovery in hope it helps someone else.

 

[Joyze172]

1 week Update:
It has been almost 1 week since Lacey chicken went to the vet and started on Meloxicam 7.5 mg twice daily. She is improving as far as I can see. Still sits in the wood chips alot but doesn't seem to be pulling up her leg or standing with it behind her.

3 more weeks of meds once a day and hope she is as good as new to get back out to the flock.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

1 week Update:
It has been almost 1 week since Lacey chicken went to the vet and started on Meloxicam 7.5 mg twice daily. She is improving as far as I can see. Still sits in the wood chips alot but doesn't seem to be pulling up her leg or standing with it behind her.

3 more weeks of meds once a day and hope she is as good as new to get back out to the flock.

Lacey is very pretty! It does look like she is improving. Glad you were able to consult your vet and get medication for her.
Thank you for the update.

 

[Eggcessive]

She is walking and scratching pretty well. Glad that she is improving on the meds.