Large lump/growth on hens foot

[outdoorbunny]

I just went out to the hen coop and found one of my easter eggers already roosting. She's in a heavy molting stage so I just thought she was taking a time out for herself. Then I noticed that she wasn't putting any weight on her foot. She has a huge growth between her claws and the bottom pad is severely swollen. The growth is hard but the pad is warm to the touch.



I have never seen anything like this. What do I need to do to help her? When I picked her up I noticed that she was all bones so I don't know if she has been eating lately. So many of my girls are molting right now, I didn't notice her until now.

I should also mention that I think I'm having a mite problem. I have noticed this last week that several of my hens are showing signs of leg mites.

Any help/suggestions for my girl would be greatly appreciated.

Debra

 

[earlybird10842]

Yeah, it looks like a mite problem. I think you are supposed to use Vaseline for that, and DE around the coop.

 

[outdoorbunny]

Really? I didn't realize mites could do this much damage. I have over 50 chickens. There is no way I can catch all of them to put Vaseline on their legs. Is there something else I can do?

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks to me like it could be a bumblefoot infection coming up between the toes. If it's not bumblefoot, it looks like an abscess or a tumor, but it resembles bumblefoot. I would clean or soak the bottom of the foot in warm soapy water, and look for the telltale sign of a dark spot. Then you will need to perform bumblefoot surgery because it looks abscessed. Here are some links, some with videos of how to do the surgery:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/07/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning.html
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/resource000779_rep800.pdf
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/how-to-treat-bumblefoot-in-chickens.aspx

 

[Eggcessive]

One more link and a couple of bumblefoot pictures:

 

[outdoorbunny]

I just went out and really looked at her foot. At first I didn't see any black spot on the bottom of the foot and her scales on her legs are raised which looks like leg mites. But then I did see a very very small grey spot so....I'm thinking it's bumble foot. I just feel awful.

I'm up to doing the surgery to save her but my husband is out of town for the next two weeks so I don't have a surgery buddy to help me.

Is it possible that it could be something else?

Will she last for another two weeks or should I try to do the surgery asap?

 

[Eggcessive]

I have done the surgery by myself with the chicken wrapped in a towel loosely on a table top. You have to get all of your supplies lined up and open--neosporin or other antibiotic ointment, 2x2 gauze, disposable scalpel or very sharp exacto knife, paper towels, tweezers, vet wrap cut into 1 inch by 5 inch strips, and betadine. If possible just get someone to hold the chicken for you--a friend, neighbor, anyone with medical knowledge, or other chicken person. If that is not possible, I would try taking her to the vet. Soaking in epsom salts may help, and you could alway try Procaine Penicillin G shots, but the surgery is fairly simple if you study the videos. If not successful, it can always be done again. More picture below of the bumblefoot scab.