i thought it was scaly leg mites but think i was wrong...?*photos*

[spish]

so ive been treating this little bantam for 3 weeks now, no improvement...its actually worsened...
ive tried smothering legs in vaseline, ive rubbedzerox p in them, ive even 'soaked' in ivomec but to no avail. i thought the raised scales were a dead giveaway for SLM but whatever it is its getting worse.

now the scales have started disappearing and big 'growths' (for lack of a better word) have formed on the legs under the scales..when pulled off these growths are pourous in form but very hard. (i scraped one off to see what was underneath)

im unsure what to treat with next? (sorry about the dirty pics but shes just had a bit of playtime outside...shes been inside for the 3 weeks ive been treating her...
is this SLM and im not treating it right? or is it something else perhaps?

 

[spish]

you can see the yellow skin and a few normal scales of her normal leg underneath the hard stuff if you peel it away.....should i try picking it off or is that going to cause infection??

 

[chicks4kids]

To me, it looks like the scales are coming off. SLM are nasty little critters and can take quite alot of work. I would just keep on with the vaseline daily, but gob it on, try and get it in and around any scales that are raised up as well.

 

[monkeemakr]

Vaseline is good and usually works really well, but since it's not, try an oil that is more easily absorbed (vaseline is not absorbed, but on the surface but that's why it suffocates them). Try something like sweet almond or grapeseed oil, or even olive oil. After the oil, try spraying with the purple wound stuff. I'm not sure why, but it seems to have helped me with the healing too, and especially as bad as this poor thing is, looks like a risk of infection like you said. They always look funny looking at their new purple legs too. One other thing I've done is a bleach solution bath in warm water before the oil, soaking their legs in about 1 part bleach to 5 or 6 parts warm water. That also seems to make it feel better if their behavior is any indication (they seem to relax and fall asleep), then the oil, then the purple stuff. Believe it or not, dermatologist recommend a bleach bath for their patients with psoriasis, but not as strong. Good luck!

 

[chicmom]

Mix some Seven Dust in with the vasceline, and slather those legs up twice a day. That'll do the trick!

 

[PAchickenlover]

I had a chicken with legs like that. First thing I did was soak her legs in Dawn dish soap for as long as possible. After I got her out and got her legs partially dries off (yes thats right do not rinse the Dawn off) I gooped her up with petrolium jelly. The long soak helps not only to kill the mites but it also moisturizes the legs. The mites can't breathe with the moisture and the petrolium jelly. Do this for a couple of days to a week. Now mind you that just like people some animals (even chickens) are alergic to things and that can make things worse. So if it is getting worse use another oily product like mineral oil, olive oil, or even veg. oil. If you still have no progress you might have to consult a vet.
Good luck.
Mollie

 

[spish]

thanks for the replies...im gonna give the olive oil a try this week and see how that goes

 

[lynnemabry]

i usually have to really massage the vaseline in. stick with it it will work. and remember that the mites are living in the coop, roost, nest box and all. Sevin is your friend there.

 

[PAchickenlover]

Soak her legs also... That really does help, and mine lived her"spa days".

 

[Miss Lydia]

spish a memeber on BYC named Welsharon treated alot of chickens that had scaley leg mite, I'd say she is an expert on the subject and I remember her talking about rubbing off the scales but you should PM her and find out what all she did. These weren't even her chickens that she treated and some had even lost their toes, so i think she would be able to help you alot.