Hen limping!!

[ChickConcierge]

If limp is really bothering them by inhibiting their normal activities too much, I will isolate them in a crate to 'force' rest for a day or two. Letting them out late in day, an hour before roost time, to give them a stretch a

Good advice. I have been doing this and I think she’s improving. But I do expect a slow go. Thank you.

 

[ChickConcierge]

My vet sent a copy of the x-ray off to some avian specialists. They came back with possible cellulitis (so not definite) and we were going to start her on some stronger antibiotics, but I think by this time she had developed a secondary infection

Interesting. I don’t think Ginger has any sort of infection, at least not yet and it’s been 4 days or so since it began. She’s eating fine, pooping fine, still the boss and complaining about being confined (I take that as a good sign). So sorry about your chicken. I appreciate your concern. Thank you so much.

 

[LozzyR]

Interesting. I don’t think Ginger has any sort of infection, at least not yet and it’s been 4 days or so since it began. She’s eating fine, pooping fine, still the boss and complaining about being confined (I take that as a good sign). So sorry about your chicken. I appreciate your concern. Thank you so much.

Thank you. I hope your Ginger gets better soon.

 

[Eggcessive]

A vet could prescribe some meloxicam, a pain and anti-inflammatory drug that might help her. Aspirin instead can be used. An 81 mg low dose aspirin once or twice a day given orally in the back of her throat or hidden in food would be good. It can be put into water, but sometimes they will not drink it because of the taste.

 

[ChickConcierge]

Ginger went to the vet today (in a snow storm!!). Vet thinks something else is going on in that the limp is not likely from an injury. I elected not to x-ray because regardless of what it might reveal it wasn’t going to change the course of treatment. The vet detected a slight rasp in her breathing. We put her on pain medication and an antibiotic. I will just keep her comfortable and give her some time and see what happens.

 

[Eggcessive]

Ginger went to the vet today (in a snow storm!!). Vet thinks something else is going on in that the limp is not likely from an injury. I elected not to x-ray because regardless of what it might reveal it wasn’t going to change the course of treatment. The vet detected a slight rasp in her breathing. We put her on pain medication and an antibiotic. I will just keep her comfortable and give her some time and see what happens.

Does the vet suspect Mareks disease? Was there any numbness in her leg or foot? I am glad that you saw the vet. Xrays are just so expensive on top of the vet visit.

 

[LozzyR]

Ginger went to the vet today (in a snow storm!!). Vet thinks something else is going on in that the limp is not likely from an injury. I elected not to x-ray because regardless of what it might reveal it wasn’t going to change the course of treatment. The vet detected a slight rasp in her breathing. We put her on pain medication and an antibiotic. I will just keep her comfortable and give her some time and see what happens.

I hope she gets better.

 

[ChickConcierge]

Does the vet suspect Mareks disease? Was there any numbness in her leg or foot? I am glad that you saw the vet. Xrays are just so expensive on top of the vet visit.

Yes to Mareks as a possibility. No detectable numbness in her leg/foot. I’m hoping for the best. I’ll post updates. Thank you

 

[aart]

Was there any numbness in her leg or foot?

How do you detect numbness?

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes to Mareks as a possibility. No detectable numbness in her leg/foot. I’m hoping for the best. I’ll post updates. Thank you

I thought of Mareks at first, but it seemed more like an injury, such as a dislocated hip or sprain, or a fracture. Xrays are usually a minimum of $100 and a second one is at least $50 more, and most times they like to do 2 views.
Upper leg injuries are said to be much harder to heal if there is a fracture, since splinting has to include the area above and below the break. Well, I am hoping that you see some improvement soon with the medications.

Just for info and reading, I am posting some good articles about Mareks, although I am hoping that is not the problem:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext...Preventing Mareks Disease in Small Flocks.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/