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Lame Rooster I think it's what my last rooster died of; Please Help!

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by Bobbi Jack, Jan 15, 2009.

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  1. Jan 15, 2009 #1
    Bobbi Jack

    Bobbi Jack Out Of The Brooder

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    My rooster had been limping but getting around pretty well last time I posted, but now he's not walking nearly as much. Also at the top of his legs, right where the feathers start the skin is very red and with bumps or wrinkles. With the last one, these were the first symptoms, followed by these things growing until they were about the size of peas, except one on one leg that grew to the size of a strawberry. It then popped and was full of puss and black stuff. He could hardly walk and the one vet we have in the area that treats chickens couldn't diagnose him. Also, I don't know if this is related, but both roosters had lost a spur in the past. (Don't know if that is a symptom, or if they just got caught in wire or something.)
    So here's the question; do roosters usually have that wrinkled red skin at the top of their legs or is that part of why he's lame, and does anyone know what could cause or cure this?
     
  3. Jan 15, 2009 #2
    Guinea Goonie

    Guinea Goonie Roosting Elsewhere

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    I am trying to think of a disease that has these symptoms.
    If it is not a disease but an injury it needs to be treatet anyhow.
    I am guessing that you lanced theses lessions. You can do this and then put on a topical antibiotic. Do not use any thing that has benzocaine in it. No numbing type medication, it is toxis to chickens.

    I will keep an eye out here, but I personally can not promise you a really good answer, perhaps another with experience .

    You see, when we answer questions like this, we learn too.
     
  5. Jan 15, 2009 #3
    Bobbi Jack

    Bobbi Jack Out Of The Brooder

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    So far this rooster does not have the big lesions (sp?), but just the red skin bumps. It is just flesh inside, I think, so lancing probably wouldn't work at this point. I'm not even sure yet that it's the same thing, but I'd really like some information on it if anyone has any, so I can get started treating it right away.
     
  7. Jan 15, 2009 #4
    chickenlady

    chickenlady Chillin' With My Peeps

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    This could be fowl pox. Fowl pox doesnt necessarily always affect the comb and wattle but can affect any unfeathered areas on the body. Check in his mouth with a light, look at the mouth and throat very closely and see if you see any 'bumps' or anything like that. In the case of your first rooster, maybe he contracted an infection in his leg where the bubble popped that spread into his blood stream and ultimately killed him because fowl pox usually does not kill. Best of luck.
     
  9. Jan 15, 2009 #5
    Bobbi Jack

    Bobbi Jack Out Of The Brooder

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    Jan 9, 2009
    Do you have any more information on Fowl Pox? I have heard the name, but that's about it.
    As for the last rooster, I forgot to mention, whatever it was was immune to antibiotics so that might narrow it down some. It did start to heal the popped whatever-it-was on his leg, but didn't help him get around any better or keep him alive.
    If it helps, the "bumps" aren't round like you might expect pox to be (although I don't know with chickens) they are all different shapes and not just laying flat on the skin, kind of hanging down, but not very much. More just kind of big wrinkles I guess. Very hard to describe. But that may not even be important; what could cause the lameness? He's eating fine and all that; doesn't seem to be sick at all.
    And it is on a feathered part of the body. Right where the feathers start at the top of his leg. You have to part the feathers to see it.
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2009

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