Ruby’s Toe is Broken & Possible Ascites

[micstrachan]

Sorry I have two issues going in the same thread, but Ruby has two issues. Have been hanging out and observing for a few hours. Ruby is happy to be out and about, but she’s slower than normal and not eating much. She often eats little during the day and then pigs out before bed, so we’ll see. As I already mentioned, she definitely has a swollen abdomen. Could be that it’s been slowly growing and I paid closer attention when she sat from foot pain. Hard to know. As far as her foot, she seems to be favoring it, but when she was standing beside me, I reached over and put the toe in the correct position and she didn’t flinch. Would it be worth splinting at this point? I’m inclined to leave it be, but would consider splinting it. I have lots of Vet wrap and could find something g rigid to support the toe. However, it’s possible she’s walking gingerly because of the bloat, not the foot. Sucks not knowing.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So here’s an update. Ruby’s broken toe is not the main issue. She’s favoring it a bit, but I can see it bend (to the side) when she walks. I think we’re going to let it be and she’ll just have a crooked toe. She just dust bathed without a problem.

Her abdomen is DEFINITELY swollen compared to the flock mates I just checked. But she’s talking and is happy to be put free ranging today. Tail is up. Walk is pehaps a little waddley and she’s drinking a lot. I know the long term outcome is probably not favorable, but not rushing into any course of action right now. Thoughts?

It's hard to know whether to splint or not Michelle.
A few years ago one of my BR broke her toe and it looked similar to Ruby's, I saw it happen. I did tape the toe the same day it happened, I think it made her a bit more comfortable, but it did still heal crooked but she went about her business as usual. I didn't give pain meds. She pretty much self limited her activity for a couple of days.

As for the swelling. We all have different thoughts, but my take it to just monitor if they are eating/drinking, moving around, seem happy. Personally I would not drain unless she exhibited signs of distress.
Swelling can be from a number of things as you know. Are you certain it's fluid?

I know you worry a lot, so you may want to try something like @coach723 suggests here but I think she only uses this method when it's clear to her that hen needs "treatment". Hopefully she will be on and can tell you more.

 

[micstrachan]

https://www.chewy.com/meloxicam-generic-oral-suspension/dp/173623?utm_id=350731907&msclkid=692cddf656ea1272f0e8815f5ff87079&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping-Product Targets-Pharmacy-NB&utm_term=4582695748464844&utm_content=Pharmacy Medications

Yep. Prescription required.

 

[micstrachan]

It's hard to know whether to splint or not Michelle.
A few years ago one of my BR broke her toe and it looked similar to Ruby's, I saw it happen. I did tape the toe the same day it happened, I think it made her a bit more comfortable, but it did still heal crooked but she went about her business as usual. I didn't give pain meds. She pretty much self limited her activity for a couple of days.

As for the swelling. We all have different thoughts, but my take it to just monitor if they are eating/drinking, moving around, seem happy. Personally I would not drain unless she exhibited signs of distress.
Swelling can be from a number of things as you know. Are you certain it's fluid?

I know you worry a lot, so you may want to try something like @coach723 suggests here but I think she only uses this method when it's clear to her that hen needs "treatment". Hopefully she will be on and can tell you more.

Thanks, Melody @Wyorp Rock! Pretty sure @Hen Pen Jem uses that same detox stuff. Might look into it further.

Thank you for being kind about my worrying. Ruby had a relatively good day. She didn’t eat much and spent most of the day sitting in the dirt, but she foraged, sun bathed, dust bathed and seemed to enjoy herself, at least for part of the day. She is definitely sore either in her foot or belly (or both).

So here’s a new thought. @azygous might have ideas, too...

My husband keeps a few bunnies. They aren’t really my thing, but we have them. My husband keeps buying bales of hay and straw for the bunnies. We’ve had such a WET spring, we literally had multiple bales of slimy, stinky hay and straw. I’ve been moving it in clumps via pitch fork to areas where the chickens don’t hang out. (That stuff is HEAVY when wet! Great workout except my lower back is thrashed.) The girls did manage to get into it a bit. Could Ruby have ingested some nasty mold or bacteria in the gross bales? Any thoughts on which is more likely, mold or bacteria? Pretty warm here (rarely dips below freezing... has been in the 50’s F for months.) Record rain. Was warm and sunny all day and the lawn/pasture/grass is still soaked. I have an arsenal of treatments I’ve been collecting while learning on these forums, but don’t really like to treat unless it makes sense. I’ll see how she does the next couple days, since the college trip is likely not happening until later (change of plans.)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks, Melody @Wyorp Rock! Pretty sure @Hen Pen Jem uses that same detox stuff. Might look into it further.

Thank you for being kind about my worrying. Ruby had a relatively good day. She didn’t eat much and spent most of the day sitting in the dirt, but she foraged, sun bathed, dust bathed and seemed to enjoy herself, at least for part of the day. She is definitely sore either in her foot or belly (or both).

So here’s a new thought. @azygous might have ideas, too...

My husband keeps a few bunnies. They aren’t really my thing, but we have them. My husband keeps buying bales of hay and straw for the bunnies. We’ve had such a WET spring, we literally had multiple bales of slimy, stinky hay and straw. I’ve been moving it in clumps via pitch fork to areas where the chickens don’t hang out. (That stuff is HEAVY when wet! Great workout except my lower back is thrashed.) The girls did manage to get into it a bit. Could Ruby have ingested some nasty mold or bacteria in the gross bales? Any thoughts on which is more likely, mold or bacteria? Pretty warm here (rarely dips below freezing... has been in the 50’s F for months.) Record rain. Was warm and sunny all day and the lawn/pasture/grass is still soaked. I have an arsenal of treatments I’ve been collecting while learning on these forums, but don’t really like to treat unless it makes sense. I’ll see how she does the next couple days, since the college trip is likely not happening until later (change of plans.)

I would just keep an eye on her for a few days to see how she does. If there's swelling/bloat in the abdomen, then she's going to be a bit slower. I know mine were, but they still moved around, participated with the flock, ate/drank, etc. just not quite as much, preferring to find a sunny spot to lounge in the morning and shade in the afternoon.

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks. Ruby’s foot is tender, but she's still jumping off the roost and getting around. Am I a bad chicken mom for not resetting it?

Her abdomen might be less bloated today. Can these things self correct? Is it possible she banged her abdomen on something at the same time she broke her toe and is swollen from that? Saw normal poop come out of her before I left, in case that’s noteworthy.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks. Ruby’s foot is tender, but she's still jumping off the roost and getting around. Am I a bad chicken mom for not resetting it?

Her abdomen might be less bloated today. Can these things self correct? Is it possible she banged her abdomen on something at the same time she broke her toe and is swollen from that? Saw normal poop come out of her before I left, in case that’s noteworthy.

Anything is possible.
Depending on why fluid is there, the body may re-absorb some, I just don't know.

How high is the roost and how soft is the landing? For those I've had that had reproductive problems they eventually found a lower roost, I am assuming it was because it was harder to get higher and harder to get down. One finally had troubles getting on the roost, so I put her up/took her down every morning/night. She would wait on me to come get her. She was fine/relatively active and normal once on the ground, just had trouble jumping/flying.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, the coop is quite the obstacle course. There is a ramp that only gets used by Buttercup to get to the first roost, which is about three feet high. The bedding is about six inches of pine shavings (pretty soft). Then there is another jump ~18-20 inches up to get to the roost used in the lower coop and to the next floor. Coming down from there is the tricky part, as there is a poop board (tray really) that is not well cushioned and kinda narrow. I think I need to modify it for them.

When I took Ruby down a couple days ago, she seemed a little grunty, so I was afraid of hurting her belly.

 

[micstrachan]

Ruby’s not doing so great today.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Ruby’s not doing so great today.

Aww, it just breaks your heart. She really isn't feeling well! Can you tell if her abdomen as swollen? I know you hate to go anything that will add to her discomfort.