Hen with a stiff leg and toes, help appreciated

[C_621]

Hello, two days ago I noticed that a two and a half years old Serama hen started standing on one leg after a fight with another hen. She was a bit more withdrawn a day or two before that, but I didn't notice anything else. After the fight she started standing on one leg, and reluctantly walks on it, she seems to be in pain and limps. She idles on one foot with the other held up in a stiff position now. Her toes are stiff but curl slightly when she perches on my hand, not as much as the other leg though. The leg feels a bit warmer than the other, but I can't see any sign of injury/bumblefoot. It might be somewhat swollen but nothing extreme.

Two days later the leg and toes feel even stiffer but looks the same, maybe a bit less warm. Her balance is fine, she can fly normally, neck and wings are both mobile. I've separated her now and put her in a smaller cage, and am giving her eggs and vitamin B12 supplements. The other leg is fully mobile so I wonder if the issue might be further up the leg. She's fully alert, eats and drinks like normal, and sleeps on a stick at night, she just stands on one leg instead.

I've googled about everything I can find, from sprained leg to slipped tendon to mycoplasma or Marek's, but I can't find anything that perfectly matches the symptoms. Chicken knowledge is sadly very limited for vets in my area so I probably can't get more than anti-inflammatories or antibiotics from them. I'm thinking it's a sprain but I'm not sure now that it's getting worse. I had a few cases of what I strongly believed to be Marek's in early 2023, but never sent them in for necropsy, so I don't know for sure. This hen had respiratory problems for about a year too with several close calls (I believed it was ILT then), but it could be some form of Mycoplasma.

I will continue to give vitamins and isolate her, but I'm worried about the stiffening leg. Is there anything else it could be or I should try treating her with? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[theoldchick]

Veterinarians like to use Meloxicam for pain management in chickens.

 

[Eggcessive]

She might have a sprain, or possibly, a fracture. An xray could rule out a fracture. Is there any swelling or green bruise on her foot, ankle or leg? Vitamin B complex with all B’s may be helpful, more so than just B12. You can get Equate brand at Walmart for $8. 1/4 tablet or 1/2 tablet daily can be crushed into some food. Aspirin 1/2 tablet of the low dose 81 mg can be given for 2-3 days in food or orally, but the pain might keep her from overusing it. Limit activity and jumping with a dog crate with her own food and water.

 

[C_621]

Veterinarians like to use Meloxicam for pain management in chickens.

I won't be able to get anything like that until Monday, I'll try with the painkillers I have right now

She might have a sprain, or possibly, a fracture. An xray could rule out a fracture. Is there any swelling or green bruise on her foot, ankle or leg? Vitamin B complex with all B’s may be helpful, more so than just B12. You can get Equate brand at Walmart for $8. 1/4 tablet or 1/2 tablet daily can be crushed into some food. Aspirin 1/2 tablet of the low dose 81 mg can be given for 2-3 days in food or orally, but the pain might keep her from overusing it. Limit activity and jumping with a dog crate with her own food and water.

I wouldn't be able to get a vet appointment until next week, what would the vet be able to do if it's a fracture? I can't see any swelling or discoloration, but her legs are a bit green naturally. I've gotten Vitamin B complex that I'm about to give her. Should I hold off on giving her a painkiller then?

She still holds her leg up and avoids putting weight on it most of the time. It feels stiff if you pull it gently, and she walks somewhat pigeon toed with it. I'll try to get some videos or photos uploaded, haven't ruled out Marek's yet

 

[C_621]

Update, she's putting more pressure on the foot when eating things off the floor, but sometimes points it forward or backwards, or stands on her "knuckles". She still spends most of her time standing on one leg and holding the other one up with straight toes. It does feel a bit warm around the knee and a bit more swollen than the other leg but it's hard to tell. She's gotten Vitamin B complex crushed in water but skipped the painkiller for now. She still limps when she tried to walk, but avoids taking more than one or two steps at a time. I'll keep monitoring her and giving vitamins, she's been separated into a smaller cage

 

[Eggcessive]

It is up to you whether or not to use the painkiller. With an injury, it may be better to withhold it to limit her activity. However aspirin can reduce inflammation. If a vet xrayed it and found a fracture, then it could be splinted. Let us know how she gets along.

 

[theoldchick]

Can you post a video of her moving around.

 

[C_621]

Can you post a video of her moving around.

I have a video but when I try to upload it the file name blocks the allowed extensions, I can't see which ones work

Update 2: She's walking around more, but the toes seem even stiffer and she stands up less. I'm starting to worry it really is Marek's at this point

 

[C_621]

Can you post a video of her moving around.

 

[TOMTE]

Could she have a head injury? It looks like the leg is painful and she doesn't want to put any pressure on it, but maybe it could be neurological?