hen with infected toe...advice on how to operate

[AmandaLW]

I was away for a week on vacaction, with family taking care of my birds. Upon returning, I noticed my Wyandotte hen was limping. one of her toes is quite swollen and the nail seems to be completely Gone (see pics). There is a black scab where the nail should be. Other than the toe and the limp, she seems fine: alert, eating, drinking, etc.

After doing some research, I don't think it's bumble foot, but it is definitely infected. it seems clear that I need to get into that toe and remove the infection. I've gathered the supplies and am ready (I think!). My question is this: where/how do I cut? Do I cut in a circle around the scab, remove that and go in from there (sort of like a bumble foot type thing)? Or do I cut down the length of the toe, going down the pad of the foot?

Any other advice/suggestions? Does it seem like I'm on the right track here? I've had chickens for six years, so I'm not exactly new, but this problem is completely new for me.

 

[AmandaLW]

Bump

 

[kayakfish]

That my dear is a result of really bad scaly mite, first off soak those feet and legs in warm soapy water, and scrub them gently with a soft tooth brush with the grain of the scales. Then rinse in warm water dry off with a clean towel, mix yourself some Vaseline and a cc of ivermectin 1% and rub into the scales all over her legs. she will more than likely loose the toe, but if you don't get this taken care of she can eventually loose her feet and life.

Ivermectin 1% injectable and Vaseline are you best friend for scaly mites, and any mites as far as that's concerned. My regimen is to put this on my hens roosters and even quails backs every spring, and fall, depending on the size of the poultry, is how much you apply to the back of their shoulders, right onto the skin. Has worked for me for years no withdrawal, and no BUGS. That's just my regimen not a dr prescribed regimen.

 

[AmandaLW]

yikes! thank you for clarifying! i have now read up on scaly mites and i think you are right! i am grateful you responded so that i didnt pursue the wrong course of treatment. it looks like i'll need to consult with a vet to get ivermectin. is there anything else i should do for that toe?

 

[AmandaLW]

or, i guess my question now is: what do i do for that infected toe?

 

[rnchick74]

or, i guess my question now is: what do i do for that infected toe?

I would cut around the black scab area - slightly bigger than the scab and down into that section. I'm betting that is where the majority of the infection is going to be located. You probably won't find a "core" like with bumblefoot, but you might find some stringy or chunky pus. Once you have it opened up, then you want to soak it daily with Epson salt & warm water. If the chicken doesn't tolerate the soaks there is a epson salt poultice called magnapaste that you can put on it & wrap with coban/vet wrap. That is going to help draw out the infection.

if you go the soaks route - between soaks, put antibiotic ointment on it (no pain killer type) and wrap.

Keep us posted!

 

[AmandaLW]

Ok, I'll try that and see how it goes. Thank you! Stay tuned...will update on how it goes.