Limping Chicken

[tlcmurphy]

I’ve got a chicken that’s been limping for over a week. What kind of OTC pain med can I give her? Seems to be a sprain/strain. Thanks!

 

[dawg53]

I've dealt with limping chickens. Please read post #4 in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/limping-chicken.1243650/

 

[tlcmurphy]

I've dealt with limping chickens. Please read post #4 in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/limping-chicken.1243650/

Thank you, I will try the vitamin B. She is in a large crate in our run, but not happy about that

 

[alinas2010]

Sorry to hear about her injury. You should be able to give baby aspirin or children’s Motrin short term for pain.

Asprin information/dosage:
https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/aspirin

Motrin (ibuprofen):
https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/ibuprofen

Be sure there isn’t any internal bleeding and the kidneys functioning okay before giving.

 

[alinas2010]

If youre like us and happen to have extra rimadyl laying around, you can give that to chickens, too. Don’t give it with asprin or steroids, though.

https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/carprofen

 

[tlcmurphy]

I’m pretty sure acetaminophen and ibuprofen are a no go for chickens. I will try baby aspirin, I just want her to be comfortable

 

[alinas2010]

I’m pretty sure acetaminophen and ibuprofen are a no go for chickens. I will try baby aspirin, I just want her to be comfortable

That’s fair. I don’t know anything about acetaminophen. I’ve seen all of the other ones I listed recommended for chickens on this site, and all are listed on poultry dmv as “safe” for use in chickens. I’m sort of with you, though, I’m not sure I’d give anything except asprin, myself, as it’s the one most often recommended. I have specifically asked one of the educators about Rimadyl (I was going to give to a chicken with a reproductive infection for inflammation) and that one is supposed to be safe, but it’s also a veterinarian prescribed one, so not super accessible. I hope she is able to be a bit more comfortable and recover quickly. I hate seeing them in pain. Good luck.

 

[dawg53]

@tlcmurphy When it comes to leg injuries in chickens, you do NOT want to reduce nor kill the pain especially when it comes to sprained or strained ligaments/tendons. They will try acting normal as if no injury has occurred and cause further and worse damage.
If you read the link in my post above, you wouldve read that TIME is the only thing that will heal these types of injuries.

 

[tlcmurphy]

@tlcmurphy When it comes to leg injuries in chickens, you do NOT want to reduce nor kill the pain especially when it comes to sprained or strained ligaments/tendons. They will try acting normal as if no injury has occurred and cause further and worse damage.
If you read the link in my post above, you wouldve read that TIME is the only thing that will heal these types of injuries.

I did read it, thank you.