Hi all,
Any thoughts about what is going on with our Wyandotte?
TLDR: She injured her left leg over six months ago which she copes with. Now has odd build up on her right leg.
1) What type of bird, age and weight.
Type: Wyandotte.
Age: Approaching 5 yrs.
Weight: Normal (2.5kg).
Comparison to others: She's getting old, and is noticeably slower and less active - but not necessarily "ill behaviour".
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Background: About six months ago she injured her left leg. Not sure how. Nothing visible (possible arthritis). She gradually adapted to it, but it left her a little hobbled on her left side.
Current: About 1 week ago. She seemed a little quieter than normal. So we examined her. All seemed normal, until we noticed a build up of "something" on her inner leg above the hock (see photos). It felt soft, but not full of liquid. Looked more yellow than surrounding areas. Was warm (but maybe not unusual for this area of the body). There was a "scab", or so we thought. But when we gave her a soak in warm epsom salts (universal chicken cure), it came out when massaged and looked like a small stone or pebble. But when you cut into it you could tell it was actually a compacted feather.
We took her to the vets. Vet didn't think it was cancer. But wasn't sure what it was.
We thought it might be muscle build up due to favoring right over left leg, but he didn't think it felt like that either.
He put her on a course of liquid NSAID for 20 days (Loxicom: https://www.365vet.co.uk/lox001-loxicom-for-dogs-32ml.html).
Any thoughts on what this is? Or what we should do? Just wondered if BYC has any wider thoughts?
Other behaviour:
Behaviour generally is less active (but she is getting old). But perhaps she is also quieter than normal.
More widely, slight signs of nasal discharge from one side. Seems to head twitching more than normal.
Not laying so far this season. But note age.
Eating and drinking: Normal.
Apperance: Normal. Although doing some feather pulling at or around the site.
Crop: ok.
Vent: ok.
Poop: normal.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
We only spotted the leg issue 1 wk ago.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
The other two are fine. They are younger and laying and behaving normally for them.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
See above.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Normal food (layers pellets, grass) and drink (multiple fresh water sources) has been available. Some cauliflower and swede is available for enrichment.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal. Perhaps a bit smaller and drier than normal. Suggesting maybe she is eating less than normal.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
A couple of epson salt baths. One visit to vet. Now giving Loxicom on food once a day.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Already taken to vet. The vet was good, but wasn't sure what it might be.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
See photos below taken before and after bath.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Housing: Normal. No change. Bedding: No change. Woodshavings.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Any thoughts about what is going on with our Wyandotte?
TLDR: She injured her left leg over six months ago which she copes with. Now has odd build up on her right leg.
1) What type of bird, age and weight.
Type: Wyandotte.
Age: Approaching 5 yrs.
Weight: Normal (2.5kg).
Comparison to others: She's getting old, and is noticeably slower and less active - but not necessarily "ill behaviour".
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Background: About six months ago she injured her left leg. Not sure how. Nothing visible (possible arthritis). She gradually adapted to it, but it left her a little hobbled on her left side.
Current: About 1 week ago. She seemed a little quieter than normal. So we examined her. All seemed normal, until we noticed a build up of "something" on her inner leg above the hock (see photos). It felt soft, but not full of liquid. Looked more yellow than surrounding areas. Was warm (but maybe not unusual for this area of the body). There was a "scab", or so we thought. But when we gave her a soak in warm epsom salts (universal chicken cure), it came out when massaged and looked like a small stone or pebble. But when you cut into it you could tell it was actually a compacted feather.
We took her to the vets. Vet didn't think it was cancer. But wasn't sure what it was.
We thought it might be muscle build up due to favoring right over left leg, but he didn't think it felt like that either.
He put her on a course of liquid NSAID for 20 days (Loxicom: https://www.365vet.co.uk/lox001-loxicom-for-dogs-32ml.html).
Any thoughts on what this is? Or what we should do? Just wondered if BYC has any wider thoughts?
Other behaviour:
Behaviour generally is less active (but she is getting old). But perhaps she is also quieter than normal.
More widely, slight signs of nasal discharge from one side. Seems to head twitching more than normal.
Not laying so far this season. But note age.
Eating and drinking: Normal.
Apperance: Normal. Although doing some feather pulling at or around the site.
Crop: ok.
Vent: ok.
Poop: normal.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
We only spotted the leg issue 1 wk ago.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
The other two are fine. They are younger and laying and behaving normally for them.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
See above.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Normal food (layers pellets, grass) and drink (multiple fresh water sources) has been available. Some cauliflower and swede is available for enrichment.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal. Perhaps a bit smaller and drier than normal. Suggesting maybe she is eating less than normal.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
A couple of epson salt baths. One visit to vet. Now giving Loxicom on food once a day.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Already taken to vet. The vet was good, but wasn't sure what it might be.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
See photos below taken before and after bath.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Housing: Normal. No change. Bedding: No change. Woodshavings.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
