Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[MrsNorthie]

Hip problem perhaps? Venka seems to have an uneven gait sometimes when she runs, especially in the mornings, and I have wondered if she's got a bit of arthritis in the hip. It certainly resembles the way some old people walk, more than it does someone with an issue in their foot or ankle.

Anybody know anything about arthritis in chickens? Since commercial chickens don't live remotely long enough to suffer from this, and commercial operations fund most of the poultry studies, my guess is there is very little proper investigation of the topic.

I found this article, but it is not all that detailed, but then I guess, arthritis is pretty basic in any animal that has joints. I did find it interesting that they say birds are more likely to get gouty arthritis as opposed to osteo. https://poultrydvm.com/condition/arthritis

This article provides relatively good information on viral arthritis: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...in-poultry#Etiology-and-Pathogenesis_v3343538

This article focuses more on cage kept birds like budgies and parrots, but some of the symptoms may help in diagnosis: https://beautyofbirds.com/arthritis-birds/

The one thing all 3 articles have in common is that the only treatment is palliative, reduce pain and improve quality of life until it doesn't work anymore.

 

[MrsNorthie]

Found this on poultry dvm: https://poultrydvm.com/condition/arthritis
& this: https://opensanctuary.org/special-recommendations-for-older-chickens/
I would guess that turmeric (in 2nd link) might help for inflammation, horsey people that I know swear by it for their animals

LOL I should have kept reading before responding to @Perris I found the same article on poultrydvm.com.

 

[Shadrach]

Three rather warm hours at 30C with none of the seniors interested in doing much more than keeping cool. They all came out for a forage for the last hour when the temerature had dropped a few degrees.
Henry wanted to roost in the extension. I left it as late as possible before ushering him, Carbon and Fret into the coop. Sunset was at 8.58pm and I left the field a round 10.30 pm.
Hopefully tomorrows forcast is right and it won't get above 25C.

 

[Shadrach]

I found this article, but it is not all that detailed, but then I guess, arthritis is pretty basic in any animal that has joints. I did find it interesting that they say birds are more likely to get gouty arthritis as opposed to osteo. https://poultrydvm.com/condition/arthritis

This article provides relatively good information on viral arthritis: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...in-poultry#Etiology-and-Pathogenesis_v3343538

This article focuses more on cage kept birds like budgies and parrots, but some of the symptoms may help in diagnosis: https://beautyofbirds.com/arthritis-birds/

The one thing all 3 articles have in common is that the only treatment is palliative, reduce pain and improve quality of life until it doesn't work anymore.

That is exactly the problem, there isn't much that can be done about it. Gout is much the same, it doesn't seem to go away after treatment and diet changes.
A rolled or torn tendon is way out of the average vets league if you can find a vet that can correctly diagnose this.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good evening one and all!

Tea is ready.

Temperature is in the 80s partly sunny.

Have a great day!

 

[MrsNorthie]

That is exactly the problem, there isn't much that can be done about it. Gout is much the same, it doesn't seem to go away after treatment and diet changes.
A rolled or torn tendon is way out of the average vets league if you can find a vet that can correctly diagnose this.

It is much the same for humans too. You can take countless big pharma drugs with potential side-effects that are worse than the condition you are treating, opt for joint replacement surgery, or try to find something that keeps you comfortable enough to have an acceptable quality of life. I know which I prefer.

 

[Perris]

I found this article, but it is not all that detailed, but then I guess, arthritis is pretty basic in any animal that has joints. I did find it interesting that they say birds are more likely to get gouty arthritis as opposed to osteo. https://poultrydvm.com/condition/arthritis

This article provides relatively good information on viral arthritis: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...in-poultry#Etiology-and-Pathogenesis_v3343538

This article focuses more on cage kept birds like budgies and parrots, but some of the symptoms may help in diagnosis: https://beautyofbirds.com/arthritis-birds/

The one thing all 3 articles have in common is that the only treatment is palliative, reduce pain and improve quality of life until it doesn't work anymore.

Thanks, these are very useful. Venka has no swelling of the joints, at least that I can detect, so I am not sure whether it is arthritis to blame for the occasional gait unevenness. I note from the DVM page that differential diagnosis included mycoplasmosis, amongst other things, and that is apparently present in most flocks though the keepers may not realize it if it is mostly or entirely asymptomatic in that flock.

Also interesting, from the other site, is about cod liver oil stopping or even reversing the damage caused by arthritis in humans; I occasionally top the feed with the contents of a capsule or two of cod liver oil in winter, mainly for its vit d benefits. But that shouldn't be given at more than 2% ratio, so popping a capsule in to try that therapy out won't do for Venka.

 

[Perris]

A rolled or torn tendon is way out of the average vets league if you can find a vet that can correctly diagnose this.

do you know how to diagnose this?

Cadoc seems to be walking better some days, but on others is limping again. It's about a month since the injury was sustained now. S/he is managing fine, and does not give the appearance of being in pain, but as we all know, chickens are very good at hiding pain.

 

[Shadrach]

do you know how to diagnose this?

Definitely not.

 

[MrsNorthie]

Thanks, these are very useful. Venka has no swelling of the joints, at least that I can detect, so I am not sure whether it is arthritis to blame for the occasional gait unevenness. I note from the DVM page that differential diagnosis included mycoplasmosis, amongst other things, and that is apparently present in most flocks though the keepers may not realize it if it is mostly or entirely asymptomatic in that flock.

Also interesting, from the other site, is about cod liver oil stopping or even reversing the damage caused by arthritis in humans; I occasionally top the feed with the contents of a capsule or two of cod liver oil in winter, mainly for its vit d benefits. But that shouldn't be given at more than 2% ratio, so popping a capsule in to try that therapy out won't do for Venka.

Cayenne pepper was also mentioned along with: Herbal Anti-Inflammatories ... Grape Seeds / Grape Seed Extract … Pumpkin Seeds … Yogurt … Dandelion. I wonder if grinding some pumpkin seed in a little yogurt.

I know you do not like to handle them too much, but maybe a gentle massage and a warm epsom salt soak? Goldie had a spell where he was limping, I checked for bumble foot and nothing, so I let it go for a bit to see if he worked it out on his own. He is a sweet boy, but hates being handled so I try to respect that, but when it started to limit his mobility, I did the bath and massage with him every day for a week and he recovered.