Swollen foot on Hen, but Not Bumblefoot

[StephJuno]

Hello! My 1-year-old Lakenvelder hen Kiwi has a very swollen foot and I'm not sure how to treat it. I've included photos of both the top and bottom of her foot. She is a small breed, around 3 lbs., very flighty, and sleeps up in the rafters of our large coop. I've seen her get knocked off her perch by a larger hen before and so I'm wondering if she was knocked off a rafter and came down hard on another perch or a part of the coop floor that isn't covered in deep litter shavings.

It's only the one foot and it came on very suddenly, so I don't think it's gout. There's no sign of any external injury such as a cut and there's no scab or anything that looks like bumblefoot. The first night, we pricked the larger swollen area with a needle to relieve the pressure and see if maybe it was infected, but it only bled. This is the third day of her foot being swollen and there seems to be no change. Her foot is not hot and the swollen area is tight, but not firm. I kept her inside the first night and the second night I made sure she was sleeping on a low perch. She free ranges during the day, though I'm keeping a close eye on her. She is definitely limping on that foot.

I'm not sure what to do for her. Any suggestions? Thank you!!

 

[Themellowyellows]

@LaFleche
@Eggcessive
@azygous

 

[Loving my girls]

Weird but I would treat it as a bumblefoot. I have heard of them without a scab but never seem it for myself.

 

[azygous]

When you feel the swollen tissue, does it feel rock hard or soft like a water balloon?

Do you feel like there could be hard crystals in there?

Does she tend to hold the foot up under her belly?

Does she peck at it when she stands on it?

Does she walk normally or does she favor the foot, not wanting to put weight on it?

 

[Eggcessive]

Ihave had bumble foot in both spots on the same foot, but there was a scab on the bottom. This was some time ago, and when I did surgery, there was solid pus on the bottom, and more liquid pus on top between the toes. I squeezed as much as possible, and bandaged the foot with gauze and Neosporin. I would probably do some daily warm soaks in Epsom salts for a few days, and watch it. I would also be tempted to lance the top lesion and see what comes out.

 

[Frizzled-n-Sizzled]

Any updates? I've got two girls with similar feet issues. Currently treating six chickens with Bumblefoot, and it's been quite the process! I ended up lancing two of my girls with swollen feet. For one of them, there was nasty yellow pus followed by blood. She felt immediate relief! It was my first time lancing, and I was a nervous wreck, but seeing her feel better calmed my nerves.

My other girl with the hard, swollen foot is a different story. She was being treated for Bumblefoot on her right foot (which had a typical scab on the bottom), but her other foot is also swollen with no scab or heat, just a hard mass. I lanced the top, but no pus came out. I'm a bit lost with her. She's a BCM and quite heavy. I suspect she might have gout, as that foot has always been a bit swollen, even as a chick. I'm hoping to check in with a vet and get her on antibiotics just in case. Besides her swollen foot, she seems fine. She does seem to have what looks like a water belly at times, but it goes away, so I'm unsure if it's a true water belly. How did your hen fare?

 

[Eggcessive]

@Frizzled-n-Sizzled it might be best to start a new thread of your own here on the emergency thread, post pictures and details for help. Here is where to start a new thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/post-thread

 

[Frizzled-n-Sizzled]

@Frizzled-n-Sizzled it might be best to start a new thread of your own here on the emergency thread, post pictures and details for help. Here is where to start a new thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/post-thread

Thanks I probably will.

 

[AMURPHY227]

Any updates? I've got two girls with similar feet issues. Currently treating six chickens with Bumblefoot, and it's been quite the process! I ended up lancing two of my girls with swollen feet. For one of them, there was nasty yellow pus followed by blood. She felt immediate relief! It was my first time lancing, and I was a nervous wreck, but seeing her feel better calmed my nerves.

My other girl with the hard, swollen foot is a different story. She was being treated for Bumblefoot on her right foot (which had a typical scab on the bottom), but her other foot is also swollen with no scab or heat, just a hard mass. I lanced the top, but no pus came out. I'm a bit lost with her. She's a BCM and quite heavy. I suspect she might have gout, as that foot has always been a bit swollen, even as a chick. I'm hoping to check in with a vet and get her on antibiotics just in case. Besides her swollen foot, she seems fine. She does seem to have what looks like a water belly at times, but it goes away, so I'm unsure if it's a true water belly. How did your hen fare?

This was last night on both feet…
they seem to be healing fine. I didn’t get a pic of the top but the swelling between her toes has started to go down also, finally.

Just waiting for the Lord to whisper to me and let me know when its time to work that big bumble out! lol

I know you made another post for your issue but I hope you girl gets better

 

[Frizzled-n-Sizzled]

This was last night on both feet…
they seem to be healing fine. I didn’t get a pic of the top but the swelling between her toes has started to go down also, finally.

Just waiting for the Lord to whisper to me and let me know when its time to work that big bumble out! lol

I know you made another post for your issue but I hope you girl gets better

View attachment 3981196View attachment 3981197

I finally was able to stop wrapping and treating a couple of my girls today! It really dragged out for me. For me the soaking really helped with loosening those scabs a lot. On some I did have to cut into their pads to help get all the yellowish abscess/infection discharge out. Using Prid also helped draw things out too. For my one girl she doesn’t have a scab anywhere. But I’m hoping that soon something will pop through or the swelling will settle.
I already lanced her foot in a couple areas but no yellow stuff came out. Don’t forget to wear gloves since bumblefoot is caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia which can be spread to humans etc. I hope your hen heals soon!