Potential abscess on back of foot - light bleeding

[k_scho]

I have a 9-month-old BO with what looks like an abscess or some kind of growth/injury on the back of her foot, almost on the "ankle" part of her leg. It isn't on the bottom of her foot, so the wound doesn't fully touch the ground when she's walking around -- she is not limping or showing any signs of distress, and she laid her egg earlier today. I'm wondering if this is bumblefoot, but it doesn't quite look like the photos of bumblefoot that I'm seeing online. She didn't struggle in my husband's arms when I was checking out the wound and trying to clean it, and she wasn't squawking, but we could tell she was stressed when I was gently examining it. She is acting completely normal otherwise.

I can't see any foreign object stuck in there, and I tried cleaning it (before the photo was taken, which probably wasn't the best planning!) and I've applied some Vetericyn Plus anti-microbial spray. But it's weird...it looks like skin growth is coming out of it, like the skin split open and is trying to heal in a strange way. It looks like there's something stuck in it or perhaps something punctured her, but the "chunkiness" is hard skin.

Hopefully these photos will help! BYC has been an invaluable resource for me during the past year!!! Thank you so much!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not sure what that is, maybe @Eggcessive or @coach723 have seen that before.

Welcome To BYC!

 

[coach723]

I've not seen anything exactly like that (what I can tell in the pictures). It almost looks 'warty' to me. A couple of things come to mind, an injury, or perhaps irritation if she's resting on a roost oddly. A tumor could also be possible. I think I would try doing some epsom salt soaks, when it's softened up that may help you to see what's going on. Then I would treat topically with neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment for a bit to see if it helps. Maybe wrap it with some vet wrap/co wrap to see if that helps when it's protected, which might tell if it's irritation from something rubbing or pressing. If it continues to get bigger then a vet might be necessary, in the event it's a benign or cancerous growth.

 

[Diana_burns04]

I have a 9-month-old BO with what looks like an abscess or some kind of growth/injury on the back of her foot, almost on the "ankle" part of her leg. It isn't on the bottom of her foot, so the wound doesn't fully touch the ground when she's walking around -- she is not limping or showing any signs of distress, and she laid her egg earlier today. I'm wondering if this is bumblefoot, but it doesn't quite look like the photos of bumblefoot that I'm seeing online. She didn't struggle in my husband's arms when I was checking out the wound and trying to clean it, and she wasn't squawking, but we could tell she was stressed when I was gently examining it. She is acting completely normal otherwise.

I can't see any foreign object stuck in there, and I tried cleaning it (before the photo was taken, which probably wasn't the best planning!) and I've applied some Vetericyn Plus anti-microbial spray. But it's weird...it looks like skin growth is coming out of it, like the skin split open and is trying to heal in a strange way. It looks like there's something stuck in it or perhaps something punctured her, but the "chunkiness" is hard skin.

Hopefully these photos will help! BYC has been an invaluable resource for me during the past year!!! Thank you so much!

It looks.like bumblefoot.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have no idea what it is.

 

[k_scho]

I've not seen anything exactly like that (what I can tell in the pictures). It almost looks 'warty' to me. A couple of things come to mind, an injury, or perhaps irritation if she's resting on a roost oddly. A tumor could also be possible. I think I would try doing some epsom salt soaks, when it's softened up that may help you to see what's going on. Then I would treat topically with neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment for a bit to see if it helps. Maybe wrap it with some vet wrap/co wrap to see if that helps when it's protected, which might tell if it's irritation from something rubbing or pressing. If it continues to get bigger then a vet might be necessary, in the event it's a benign or cancerous growth.

Thank you!! I wrapped it in gauze last night with a bit of athletic tape after applying more antimicrobial spray, and luckily the bandage stayed on throughout the night (although everyone was curious and pecking at it at first ) I’ll definitely try the salt soak today to see if I can get a better look at it. Is there a treatment for chicken warts? (Something I can also Google!) Thank you again!

 

[coach723]

I don't think chickens get warts, never seen it anywhere anyway. Closest thing would be fowl pox which is usually on combs wattles and faces. I don't think it's fowl pox. It just looks warty, which makes me think that it could be some kind of growth. Unless you do find that there is some kind of foreign material that has gotten in there, in which case their could be infection as her body tries to encapsule it.

 

[k_scho]

It looks.like bumblefoot.

I was wondering if that's what it was at first -- I'll keep an eye on it. I'm hoping the salt soaks and cleaning attempts (and the neosporin) will help expel all the bad stuff.

 

[MagnoliaRoseRanch]

One of my chicken has what looks to be an abscess on her foot. It is soft and she appears to be having trouble using her foot. She also seems to have very runny poop. Will get pictures later when I have help. Until then any ideas/suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

One of my chicken has what looks to be an abscess on her foot. It is soft and she appears to be having trouble using her foot. She also seems to have very runny poop. Will get pictures later when I have help. Until then any ideas/suggestions?

Is it on the bottom or the top of the foot? Pictures would be helpful. Soaking in warm Epsom salts water is a common treatment for a foot abscess or bumblefoot. What are you feeding? Runny poop can vary in cause. It might be from drinking a lot of water during warm weather, to an infection or sour crop. What color are the droppjngs? Is she eating normally?