tail down, lethargic , drinking.

[aart]

ready to sit down for a good cry!

Go for it...a good cry can clear your head(if not your sinuses).

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

Go for it...a good cry can clear your head(if not your sinuses).

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

The thing about articular gout (and I have never seen it in my own chickens,) is that it causes lumpy-looking swelling of bothe feet. The big difference between gout and MS, is that in MS, the ankles and hocks are swollen, but the toes look fairly normal, and the color stays normal. In gout, the toes and whole foot looks swollen and lumpy. Gout may look like this photo:
View attachment 1992696

Holy moly....that’s looks painful! I’m learning a lot here! By the end of this issue,...I might be a better chicken mom.
Around 11 AM, I gave her the aspirin....I went outside at 1 to change her water, and she waddled past me (shocking!!) and stood outside in the sunshine for a few minutes, and picked at the grass (January and we have green grass!) . I think she had a moment of wellness. About 8 minutes later she squatted down, and I put her back in the kennel. But while she walked she was lifting her feet up high, as if she was stepping on hot coals. poor thing.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It’s winter here in Ma. ..chilly at night , 20-35.

her toes work fine and could clench my finger.

And to add to my woes ~ this morning I found her in the coop floor. As I carried her to her kennel I noticed the start of bumble foot. There’s a small lump under the skin , on the top of one foot.... looks like it’s just starting up.
Shoot me

this seemed to come on this week...but could it be the reason she isn’t walking for her last two weeks?

This is interesting....so over the course of this thread I started with a limping chicken that was coming out of a heavy molt, days later, she wouldn’t walk. We gave her scrambled eggs, lots of vitamins, cottage cheese. No more improvement.....NOW, weeks later...we get the swollen feet.
My friend works for a vet that’s rather very far away from me.. but the vet is off today, but one of the techs saw the photos, and suggested this could be GOUT ...which makes sense because I have been pumping her up with protein to get her to eat. ~~~
Who knows, but I thought I would share this.

The poor dear!
Yes, looks like she may have frostbite and/or infection of the foot.
I don't think Gout would come on so quickly, but I suppose it's possible if she's got some underlying condition.
I think I would treat as Frostbite and see if that helps.
In your first post you mention it is/was getting 25-30F at night - that's plenty chilly enough to experience frostbite. Frostbite is cold + moisture and exposure. She may have gotten her feet wet at some point(?) I know I've seen my birds walk in the water bowl in cold temperatures, I go dry them off, I've never had any Frostbite except on the very edge of a rooster's wattle.

 

[hispoptart]

I just read through this whole thread, wow I am so sorry you are going through this. Omelette is a beautiful girl. You have all the experts helping with the best advice they can give. I just want to add my prayers and support for you and omelette.

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

I just read through this whole thread, wow I am so sorry you are going through this. Omelette is a beautiful girl. You have all the experts helping with the best advice they can give. I just want to add my prayers and support for you and omelette.

Thank you. I believe in the power of positive thoughts and prayers.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I just caught up on this thread too, like @hispoptart, and just wanted stop by and send you a hug @Crazychocolatedog It's been a real emotional rollercoaster for you! Omelet is a beautiful girl and I hope she pulls through.

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

thank you. I appredicate that, and could use one! Lol. I am going to fight this battle till the end. im not a quitter

 

[HollyWoozle]

My family have always had chickens (and I've always helped with them) but I became more heavily involved when I added 6 rescue hens to the family flock in June 2018. Since then I have spent a lot of time and emotion on trying to help sick chickens, both "mine" and others within the flock, and I understand the emotional investment put into a hen like Omelet. It is really hard-going when they have these ups and downs and you don't know how to help them.

Just remember that you are doing a great job and she is lucky to have you. You have to look after yourself too - have that cry and the glass of wine and be proud to be a good chicken owner!

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

My family have always had chickens (and I've always helped with them) but I became more heavily involved when I added 6 rescue hens to the family flock in June 2018. Since then I have spent a lot of time and emotion on trying to help sick chickens, both "mine" and others within the flock, and I understand the emotional investment put into a hen like Omelete. It is really hard-going when they have these ups and downs and you don't know how to help them.

Just remember that you are doing a great job and she is lucky to have you. You have to look after yourself too - have that cry and the glass of wine and be proud to be a good chicken owner!

Thank you. This forum is great and I think it’s so necessary.
it’s wonderful that you could help your family.

Going to the vet isn’t always the quickest way to resolve things. I have 2 vet friends that are very far away, and they are “guessing” as well. They deal with domestic pets, so our farm animals are a little more mysterious to them. I live in a big city near Boston, and a “farm” vet, or anyone really specialized with ‘chickens’ is out of the question. Paying $300-$400 to have someone guess isn’t feasible for me.
but...I was reading here that people have used clyndomycin for bumble foot. I don’t think it’s bumble foot...and I happen to have liquid, roll on clindomycin. I don’t think it would hurt to dab a little on these spots. Today’s aspirin must have done wonders as she is now trying to waddle to the food. I usually let her out of the crate late afternoon so she can go to the coop with the others. On bad days, I carry her. Good days ...bad days....she is alive.
thank you for the encouragement! I really appreciate it. Like you, I love my animals and they are not disposable.