Silkie chick with sore feet

[SunkenRoadFarms]

She is very into her treats buy other than coming to the treats she is not wanting to put weight on the foot. The swelling has come down and the toe isn't as hot. She just wants to sit there most of the time and will get up to eat and drink when need be. She will also raise her leg really high and stick her wings out when she tries to step with that foot. Is that pain? I am hoping that she is just in pain and not sick from infection or something I am missing

It sounds like reaction to the pain. I've never treated with aspirin, but it is safe for chickens (link below). Her eating an drinking is a very good sign.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-inflammatories-or-aspirin-in-poultry-or-fowl

 

[riverlane91]

I just want her to get better, she's my fav

. I wouldn't think if it was that intolerable she wouldn't even make an effort to come out of the coop because there is a step she has to come down and everything. I will try to take a picture tonight when I get home. I plan on doing another Epsom salt soak tonight to clean her up. I was able to pick quite a bit of the build up from the mites off yesterday too.

 

[riverlane91]

I need help! I read the link for the aspirin and did that last night. I woke up this morning and she has labored breathing, is making peeping noises, and won't walk. I isolated her in the coop in a kennel and put a towel over it for privacy and seclusion. I used the correct dosage of aspirin.... What can I do?? It is not looking good

 

[Sarah and Joey]

How's your girl doing riverlane91?

Afraid my little silkie isn't too good at the mo.
After treating her legs daily with vaseline the white scabs from the leg mites dropped off and she seemed to be getting better.
But she was still having a little difficulty walking which has gradually got worse.
Both feet seemed to have a open wound on the top which has swollen slightly, I've been soaking them daily and applying a antibacterial cream.
She hasn't been out of the chicken house for a couple of days, I put a tray of food in there and she seemed to be managing to get to that but then going back to settle in the nesting box, so I thought she might be having trouble with the ramp and a couple of days rest might be what she needed. But when I've gone in today she was struggling to get onto her feet at all. So I've brought her inside to keep a closer eye on her.

She's still eating and drinking well.
No wheezing or struggling for breath.
Flapping her wings no problem.
When I pick her up she's still kicking her legs, but when she's down she tries moving her legs and just pushes herself onto her side and then gets stuck. It's as if she's no feeling or strength in her feet.
No other symptoms apart from looking a little grubby, but as she can't stand she can't preen herself at the mo.

Anybody any ideas what to do???

 

[riverlane91]

Unfortunately my little girl passed away Thursday night

. She was our absolute favorite. She ended up getting something stuck in her craw, possibly her toe that fell off?? (After all we went through and she was getting around better too!What are the odds of that

?!)
I would make a mixture of Vaseline, triple antibiotic ointment (with out pain reliever) and blue food coloring (for no pecking). I would also make her a nice little place to rest like a kennel or keep her inside like you are doing and place a heating pad under an old towel for her to lay on (while you are around) to keep warmth on her and help circulation to her legs. When you hold her try putting your hands under her feet and pushing up and down to excersice them and help with blood flow. Give her herbs for treats and soft foods like scrambled eggs and oatmeal.
Keep me updated!!

 

[Sarah and Joey]

Oh no, so sorry for your loss.
It's so frustrating when you try your best and spend so much time caring for them and just as they seem to be getting better something else happens.

Kept her indoors with a close eye on her today.
Soaked her feet in epsom salts, rubbed vaseline & antiseptic cream onto the scabs on her feet.
She's still feeding & drinking well.
Tried massaging her legs and moving them up & down while holding her, when I'm touching her toes she doesn't flinch at all and they're cold to the touch.
I've propped her up with some bundled up towels under her belly and around her sides so that she isn't sat resting on her legs.
I figured if she was sat on the legs it might stiffen them more.

Tried to give her some baby vitamins but she wasn't too keen, she's had a little scrambled egg, fresh sweetcorn (her favourite treat) and mixed grain.

Any further suggestions??

A little reluctant to take her to local vets yet, as they don't see chickens & ducks regularly I'm afraid their standard answer is 'there's no hope, kindest option is to put her down'

 

[riverlane91]

I wouldn't resort to putting her down especially if she is eating and drinking well. Cold to the touch isn't a bad thing, at least there is no infection. I think you are doing the right thing for her so far. How are you soaking her feet? What I did for mine was get a bucket of nice warm water and the salt and lower her into it, it forced her to put her feet down out of instinct. It calmed her and she actually fell asleep. If you are keeping her inside and warm this make be a good idea because she won't be out side to get a cold. The warm water will help with circulation and a little excersice. It sounds like it is healed it is just a matter of mobility now. Try b12 vitamins you can get them at Walmart and they are normally pink or yellow. Put maybe a half of the tablet in her water. B12 gives energy and boosts immune as well. When you give her treats maybe don't put them right in front of her... Try getting her out on a towel on the floor and putting them in front of her a little bit to get her to step towards them. If she starts to struggle move her to them then let her rest. To me, it sounds like she is on the up swing! Is she alert and have perky eyes?