Swollen hock on 5mo hen

[JenMac75]

Miss Lucky has been mostly sitting due to the fact that her hock is swollen and can't put much pressure on that leg. It's already been three weeks and at first we thought maybe she sprained it somehow but its not better. She doesn't have any open wounds and is very alert and eats well. She tries to walk with the help of her wings, but is mostly sitting down all day. I am attaching a picture of the swollen leg for you to see. I have a short video clip of her wobbling around, but not sure if you can post videos here

 

[Eggcessive]

That is very swollen for a sprain. Is there any green bruising under the feathers? Would seeing a vet for an xray be possible? It would be good to know if she has broken her leg, or has an infection in the joint, or possibly has a slipped tendon. Walking on it is probably not a good thing for now. Has she ever held the leg up, or has she tried to put some weight on it? Splinting might help a broken leg, but since it has been 3 weeks, it may be too late.

Keep her in a crate with food and water or a sling, to make her rest the leg. If a vet is not possible, I would make her a sling to get her upright for a few hours a day to eat and drink, but then place her down to sleep and move. Some chickens fight being in a sling, but some tolerate them. A large plastic Tote or Rubbermaid container works well, but you can see many designs here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are a couple of small animal slings that are available, and probably could be made at home:
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...MImrWH25qs6QIVmYzICh1YcgIGEAQYAyABEgKfkfD_BwE

https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/...MIsu3g8Zqs6QIVuymzAB2KSg0JEAQYASABEgK_4_D_BwE

 

[JenMac75]

That is very swollen for a sprain. Is there any green bruising under the feathers? Would seeing a vet for an xray be possible? It would be good to know if she has broken her leg, or has an infection in the joint, or possibly has a slipped tendon. Walking on it is probably not a good thing for now. Has she ever held the leg up, or has she tried to put some weight on it? Splinting might help a broken leg, but since it has been 3 weeks, it may be too late.

Keep her in a crate with food and water or a sling, to make her rest the leg. If a vet is not possible, I would make her a sling to get her upright for a few hours a day to eat and drink, but then place her down to sleep and move. Some chickens fight being in a sling, but some tolerate them. A large plastic Tote or Rubbermaid container works well, but you can see many designs here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Thanks for the reply! I asked the Feed store that is in town about a vet, but the only one he knows of has been closed since COVID since he is an older man . She has tried to put some weight on it. I will definitely look at the sling option and see how she tolerates it. I haven't seen her hold the leg up...

 

[Eggcessive]

Many vets right now will see patients, but they won’t allow people into the clinics. They will take calls, and you can bring the pet in, and hand them off to the vet tech at the car.

If you have other pictures or angles of the leg, that might be helpful.

I forgot to mention, that there are types of arthritis caused by bacteria or a virus that can affect the joints. Have you looked for any bumblefoot scabs on her footpads?

There are some leg bone deformities that can get worse with age and cause a blowout of the tendon.

 

[JenMac75]

So I tried calling the vet, and they are now open only in the mornings and only take walk-ins. I will definitely take her tomorrow to asses the situation. I checked her footpads and there are no signs of Bumblefoot scabs at all. I need to check for the bruising under her feathers.
Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know what the vet thinks if you see them.

 

[JenMac75]

Finally saw the vet yesterday after waiting 3 1/2hrs. He believes it's arthritis and he gave her a shot. He wants me to observe her for a week. If there's improvement he will prescribe oral medicine.