so_fancy_af
Chirping
I’ve posted about Bebee, my Speckled Sussex, before. She’s had recurring swelling in her feet and shanks for a couple of years now. I’ve ruled out bumblefoot and Mycoplasma synoviae (treated 3x with Tylosin, Enrofloxacin, and Doxy-Tyl; no lasting effect. There were never any MS symptoms in the rest of the flock).
I think Bebee has articular gout. Taut but normally colored skin, minimal toe involvement, and swelling worse on the left foot. I don't even want to post a photo of how swollen her feet, particularly the left one, have gotten. Suffice to say it's horrible. Worse than any photo I've seen posted here by quite a bit. She’s on a lower-protein diet, with access to electrolytes and extra water. I’ve tried tart cherry juice (she refused), and she’s very picky. Pilling isn’t an option.
She’s still mobile, though slower, and was laying until her molt began. Usually she improves with summer free-ranging, but not this year. I can’t take her to a vet right now and I’m considering whether euthanasia is the kindest thing at this point.
As a last resort, I’m thinking of trying a very low dose of ammonium chloride (.1%) in her water to lower blood pH and hopefully break down uric acid buildup. I know the risks. Dosing is tricky, especially via water, and the data is sparse (just one 1997 study). Has anyone successfully used ammonium chloride to treat gout in a hen? What dosing and method worked for you? Or is this too little, too late? I just lost another girl to a bobcat attack -- I was standing feet away, it was absolutely shocking how close it got -- and so the idea of losing Bebee is extra horrible.
I think Bebee has articular gout. Taut but normally colored skin, minimal toe involvement, and swelling worse on the left foot. I don't even want to post a photo of how swollen her feet, particularly the left one, have gotten. Suffice to say it's horrible. Worse than any photo I've seen posted here by quite a bit. She’s on a lower-protein diet, with access to electrolytes and extra water. I’ve tried tart cherry juice (she refused), and she’s very picky. Pilling isn’t an option.
She’s still mobile, though slower, and was laying until her molt began. Usually she improves with summer free-ranging, but not this year. I can’t take her to a vet right now and I’m considering whether euthanasia is the kindest thing at this point.
As a last resort, I’m thinking of trying a very low dose of ammonium chloride (.1%) in her water to lower blood pH and hopefully break down uric acid buildup. I know the risks. Dosing is tricky, especially via water, and the data is sparse (just one 1997 study). Has anyone successfully used ammonium chloride to treat gout in a hen? What dosing and method worked for you? Or is this too little, too late? I just lost another girl to a bobcat attack -- I was standing feet away, it was absolutely shocking how close it got -- and so the idea of losing Bebee is extra horrible.
