I Need Answers ASAP

[NubbyRyuu]

I need answers for this, and I needed them 3 days ago. I've contacted a few chicken people, Facebook (with a group that probably won't accept my join request, leaving me only to rely on a Silkie Group), Reddit, and called NUMEROUS vets today, with only ONE that sees chickens but is expensive. I'm wicked burnt out at this point. I just want help for this baby.

So, I took in a baby chick from my neighbor because they're unable to care for her; she has some form of splay leg. Because of its behavior, I started figuring maybe this leg just developed wrong. But now, I don't know what to think. She's 2 weeks old, and now she has a cyst (what I'm assuming is a cyst) on her leg. What's really becoming concerning is just below that joint, her leg is starting to swell. Whatever this is, I can't pop it, and I don't know what else to do. I'm at my wit's end here, and I just want to help baby Pepper. She's been such trooper about it all. She eats and drinks beautifully, acts like a chick should, loves cuddles, and has plenty of attitude to throw at my special needs roo.

Would any of you know what this is and what I can do?

 

[Cecisflock]

Oh no! make SURE to keep it clean and prevent infection blu-kote may help

 

[MGG]

I need answers for this, and I needed them 3 days ago. I've contacted a few chicken people, Facebook (with a group that probably won't accept my join request, leaving me only to rely on a Silkie Group), Reddit, and called NUMEROUS vets today, with only ONE that sees chickens but is expensive. I'm wicked burnt out at this point. I just want help for this baby.

So, I took in a baby chick from my neighbor because they're unable to care for her; she has some form of splay leg. Because of its behavior, I started figuring maybe this leg just developed wrong. But now, I don't know what to think. She's 2 weeks old, and now she has a cyst (what I'm assuming is a cyst) on her leg. What's really becoming concerning is just below that joint, her leg is starting to swell. Whatever this is, I can't pop it, and I don't know what else to do. I'm at my wit's end here, and I just want to help baby Pepper. She's been such trooper about it all. She eats and drinks beautifully, acts like a chick should, loves cuddles, and has plenty of attitude to throw at my special needs roo.

Would any of you know what this is and what I can do?

@azygous can you help, please?

 

[NubbyRyuu]

Oh no! make SURE to keep it clean and prevent infection blu-kote may help

I am. She's the only chick, so I'm not too worried about her picking anything up from others. I have some ointment I got that works pretty well, and it heals pretty quick.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I need answers for this, and I needed them 3 days ago. I've contacted a few chicken people, Facebook (with a group that probably won't accept my join request, leaving me only to rely on a Silkie Group), Reddit, and called NUMEROUS vets today, with only ONE that sees chickens but is expensive. I'm wicked burnt out at this point. I just want help for this baby.

So, I took in a baby chick from my neighbor because they're unable to care for her; she has some form of splay leg. Because of its behavior, I started figuring maybe this leg just developed wrong. But now, I don't know what to think. She's 2 weeks old, and now she has a cyst (what I'm assuming is a cyst) on her leg. What's really becoming concerning is just below that joint, her leg is starting to swell. Whatever this is, I can't pop it, and I don't know what else to do. I'm at my wit's end here, and I just want to help baby Pepper. She's been such trooper about it all. She eats and drinks beautifully, acts like a chick should, loves cuddles, and has plenty of attitude to throw at my special needs roo.

Would any of you know what this is and what I can do?

What sort of set up is she in? Does she lean directly on that joint when she moves? It could be a sore from rubbing or pressing on it all the time. Definitely keep it clean, and apply a bit of neosporin (no pain killer).

 

[WhySayWhat]

It almost looks like a broken leg by the way the lower half is twisted (could just be the way it's being held though), if it is broken, that could be bone poking out. I'm no help other than pointing out what I see though, so sorry!

 

[NubbyRyuu]

What sort of set up is she in? Does she lean directly on that joint when she moves? It could be a sore from rubbing or pressing on it all the time. Definitely keep it clean, and apply a bit of neosporin (no pain killer).

I forget the size of plastic storage bin I use, but it's a nice big brooder, plenty of shavings, and its lined on the bottom with puppy pads. I have it thicker where the coop heater is, and a little thinner by the food and water. I don't know how thick the shavings were in her previous brooder and what could've happened to cause splay leg. But she gets around fine on her good leg and doesn't put much weight on the other.

 

[NubbyRyuu]

It almost looks like a broken leg by the way the lower half is twisted (could just be the way it's being held though), if it is broken, that could be bone poking out. I'm no help other than pointing out what I see though, so sorry!

Lord knows, I have no clue. I don't think the leg is broke, because it does bend and move (not as good as the other leg), and she can move her toes.

 

[Sally PB]

Tagging people who know more than I do...

@azygous @Wyorp Rock @aart

 

[azygous]

There's a respiratory illness called Mycoplasma synoviae. The respiratory symtoms are often mild and go unnoticed. But the real damage occurs in the legs and feet where fluids accumulate, causing swelling. The treatment is an antibiotic called Tylan or Tylosin soluble powder.

This is just a guess. It's carried in a flock and is contagious. The chick may have picked it up in the previous flock. Untreated, if this is what it is, it will continue to get worse and the feet may swell next. That's one way of diagnosing - wait and see what develops. Or you can treat for it just in case this is what's causing the swelling.

If it's an injury, it should heal as long as infection is prevented. Soaking in warm Epsom salt could also help, if this is an injury.