Swollen legs in my 7yr old hen and she is wheezing

[pwand]

My chicken is almost 7yrs old, both her legs are swollen. I have been agressively been putting vasiline and mineral oil on all my chickens legs for the past few months. I know for sure one of my hens had leg mites, I don't think she does. She looks almost like maybe she has arthritus, she still gets around fine. I've noticed over the past year she has gradually lost her voice, tonight I was checking on them and now she sounds like she is wheezing. Her face is not swollen, when she breaths. I did check her awhile back to see if she had gape worms and didn't see any, I'm thinking she probably has a tumor. I know she is getting old for a chicken, I guess I should expect maybe its her age and she is getting old. Is it possible they can have arthuritus and swell in there legs? I checked her throat and her larynx is half opened. I don't see gape worm.

 

[usschicago1]

Oh i really hope someone can help you. Swelling wouldnt be caused by mites i think becuse they raise the scales. Since she is so old, i would say arthrisus. But it could be an allergic reaction to a plant shes earting maybe? Im not sure if its winter where you are. Maybe you should bring her inside for the winter, sincee shes so old.

 

[hinkjc]

Sounds like typical arthritic conditions of an aging hen. Monitor the breathing, as swelling can be tied to organ failure. Hoping for the best for her.

 

[pwand]

Thanks for replying. She seems to be ok. I wish I had the heart to put her down. We called the vets and they want $90. She doesn't seem to be suffering at the moment. Do you know how long she could go like this? This is the first time for me having senior chickens. I have another one her age, she is in really good shape. Its hard to believe how much time passes, it seems like yesturday when we got our first four chickens.