If it's not bumblefoot, what is it?

[Susie Seagrave]

I have been reading the thread started by Vyctoria (Ducks) who suspected bumblefoot, but is now unsure due to the absence of a scab. I have a very similar problem with one of my hens, Solskjaer.

Solskjaer is about 14 weeks old and is a heavy bird. For the last 3 days, she has been limping and her left foot is clearly painful. I thought bumblefoot, which I've not experienced before, but after a close examination of her foot, there is no wound, no scab or even a darkened area to suggest one is coming. The foot and footpad is looking slightly swollen compared to her other foot and today I think the leg appears swollen too but there is still no scab and no sign of a splinter or any wound at all. I suspect it may be an infection of some kind.

I noted from Vyctoria's thread that I should soak the area in Epsom salts, which I will do to see if it will help but I'd like to ask: if it's an infection, should I give Solskjaer some antibiotics? If so, what kind is best for a leg infection? I live on a small Greek island and the vets here know nothing about treating poultry so, I need to know what antibiotic to ask for - availability can be a problem here! In the past, I have had to treat my girls for Salpingitis with Oxytetracycline and coccidiosis with ESB3.

My other question is this: Due to the high temperatures in the summer, I do sometimes put out a big dish with water like a shallow pond. Some of them like to cool their feet in the heat of the day. Solskjaer has been standing in this 'mini pond' a lot recently. If the water gets poo in it, could this have caused her infection? Please note: In the first photo, her swollen leg IS closer to the camera than her unaffected leg.

Looking forward to your help and advice!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Her leg does look swollen. I would try the soaking in epsom salts to see if that helps reduce the swelling. It's hard to know the cause - if you feel the whole leg is swollen then she may have sprained it. Limiting activity would help a sprain heal, but if your weather is very hot, that may not be practical since a caged bird would need a great deal of attention to make sure they don't overheat.

Without knowing the cause or seeing an obvious wound to the foot/leg, suggesting an antibiotic would be a bit tricky. The Doxy may work, but so could Penicillin. I do understand that your vet may not know much about livestock, but they should have resources/reference books that would aid them in giving you the proper medication.

 

[Susie Seagrave]

Wyorp Rock, thanks for your advice. I noticed this morning that the leg joint also now seems swollen. have bought some epsom salts but am unsure as to what quantity of salts in how much water. Can you advise me?

I appreciate your comment regarding the vets here at least having access to resources/references about what to prescribe. You would think so, wouldn't you? We have three vets on our small Greek the island - two for pets and one for larger farm animals, such as goats, sheep, pigs etc. There are no 'commercial' chicken farms here - only backyard keepers. Alas, the Greek island mentality is that if a chicken is sick, it's not a happy end for the bird in question! I don't even know what breed my birds are, but are certainly crossbreeds, as that's how it seems to work here.

My vet, who is very knowledgeable and helpful with my dogs and cats, thinks it's 'charmingly English' for me to be so emotionally invested in the health and happiness of my birds. Unfortunately, he is overworked as it is, so any research from him is unlikely. It's frustrating but a cultural difference I've had to learn some accept. I don't know what I'd do without Backyard Chickens!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Wyorp Rock, thanks for your advice. I noticed this morning that the leg joint also now seems swollen. have bought some epsom salts but am unsure as to what quantity of salts in how much water. Can you advise me?

Does your bag of epsom salts have directions for "foot soak"? If it does use that ratio

Since you don't know the cause of the leg/foot swelling, I would try the Doxy first to see if that makes a difference.

 

[Mimi13]

This is off topic a bit since I can offer no other advice on what you should do for your hen since I am also trying to rehabilitate one of my 3 mo cockerels with a sprained leg.

One of the best things about BYC is you get to “meet” so many interesting people from far away places that share your love of chickens. Greece is like a dream world to me. I have always been intrigued by the Mediterranean area of the world and the people who live there. If ever I would be able to travel outside the US, I would want to visit Greece. There’s just not much about the country and lifestyle that I don’t love.
Are you originally from Greece?
I wish you the best of luck helping nurse your girl back to good health.

 

[Susie Seagrave]

Yes, it does have directions for 'foot soak' but it doesn't say in how much water. I'll give it my best guess.

I'm going into town tomorrow and can hopefully get some Doxycycline then. I've got some Tetracycline at the moment - could I try that instead?

I'm going out to soak her foot and leg now. Alas, she's rather a feisty girl, so it will be a bit of a wrestling contest! (The fresh-looking scratch on my right arm in the photo is all her work!). Thanks for your continued advice - much appreciated.

 

[Susie Seagrave]

This is off topic a bit since I can offer no other advice on what you should do for your hen since I am also trying to rehabilitate one of my 3 mo cockerels with a sprained leg.

One of the best things about BYC is you get to “meet” so many interesting people from far away places that share your love of chickens. Greece is like a dream world to me. I have always been intrigued by the Mediterranean area of the world and the people who live there. If ever I would be able to travel outside the US, I would want to visit Greece. There’s just not much about the country and lifestyle that I don’t love.
Are you originally from Greece?
I wish you the best of luck helping nurse your girl back to good health.

No, Mimi - I'm English. I moved here because my (English) husband wanted a different kind of life. It's not always easy but I'd find it hard to live anywhere else now. I love the land, the island life and always being close to the sea, even though I live in a small agricultural village. The beauty of the countryside never fails to take my breath away, even after 17 years. Learning the language is hard though! Most people speak at least some English but if you want to be taken seriously, it's better to learn at least some Greek. I hope your dream of a Greek holiday becomes a reality - you'd love it!

 

[Mimi13]

Yes, it does have directions for 'foot soak' but it doesn't say in how much water. I'll give it my best guess.

I'm going into town tomorrow and can hopefully get some Doxycycline then. I've got some Tetracycline at the moment - could I try that instead?

I'm going out to soak her foot and leg now. Alas, she's rather a feisty girl, so it will be a bit of a wrestling contest! (The fresh-looking scratch on my right arm in the photo is all her work!). Thanks for your continued advice - much appreciated.

Haha! I noticed your scratch, probably only because I have them too, all over my arms and legs. I am still working on my chicken coop/run and if my scratches aren’t from the birds they are from the hardware cloth and both kinds hurt like heck...and leave scars.

 

[Mimi13]

No, Mimi - I'm English. I moved here because my (English) husband wanted a different kind of life. It's not always easy but I'd find it hard to live anywhere else now. I love the land, the island life and always being close to the sea, even though I live in a small agricultural village. The beauty of the countryside never fails to take my breath away, even after 17 years. Learning the language is hard though! Most people speak at least some English but if you want to be taken seriously, it's better to learn at least some Greek. I hope your dream of a Greek holiday becomes a reality - you'd love it!

Oh, reading your post just makes my heart smile. Right now I am picturing all the scenery, villages, shorelines, mountains, etc., in the movie Mama Mia and I can only hope one day to be able to visit.
I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie or not, but if it doesn’t correctly portray Greece I’m going to be upset.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Interesting your bag doesn't have directions. Of course packaging does vary from place to place. I looked at mine it says for foot soak 2cups salts per gallon of water.

If you have Tetracycline on hand you could try that.