Treating gout in a chicken?

[Eggcessive]

If you read the articles about mycoplasma, the whole flock can be presumed to be positive for MS, although only a few may have symptoms. Mycoplasma gallisepticum and sympnovitis are common in backyard flocks. Wild birds can be responsible for spreading it, but we can also bring it in to our flocks through adding new chickens or other poultry, and on our hands, clothes, or shoes if we have been around sick birds.

Baytril (enrofloxacin) is supposed to be a very good drug for treatment of either type of mycoplasma. Dosage of 10% Baytril liquid is 0.05 ml per pound or about 1/4 ml for a 5 pound hen, given orally twice a day for 5-6 days. Just realize that Baytril is banned in chickens, but if it is used, there is an unknown egg withdrawal—I would wait 30 days. I am going to tag one of our moderators, @TwoCrows who has dealt with MS. Here is a link where to buy Baytril (enrofloxacin) :
https://www.jedds.com/shop/misc/

 

[Tatuana]

Thank you very much! I have terrible reading comprehension and all the big words were confusing me on the links. I'm ashamed to admit that, but there you go.

I'm hoping it's something manageable. I'd feel bad telling her to cull her chicken, and then possibly cull her others.

 

[Eggcessive]

Don’t feel bad about big words and comprehension. Some articles can be too technical for most people. Many people here have mycoplasma in their flocks and choose to close their flocks to new birds, or do not sell or give away birds. Selling eggs for food is alright, but hatching eggs should never be sold, since MG and MS can be passed through hatching eggs.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We know for a fact it's not bumblefoot. The poor chicken is very unhappy.

I do agree that is looks like MS.
You mention she doesn't have Bumblefoot? Same hen you posted about HERE?
There's a couple of questionable places on the bottom of the foot you may want to take a look at. It is not her main problem though.

 

[casportpony]

I do agree that is looks like MS.
You mention she doesn't have Bumblefoot? Same hen you posted about HERE?
There's a couple of questionable places on the bottom of the foot you may want to take a look at. It is not her main problem though.
View attachment 1796708

Good eye!

 

[Tatuana]

I missed those! I'll triple check when I go over tomorrow. Both of her feet are swollen now. Is MS painful for the chicken?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I missed those! I'll triple check when I go over tomorrow. Both of her feet are swollen now. Is MS painful for the chicken?

The poor chicken is very unhappy. She hides a lot and doesn't move around much.

I would have assume it is painful for the chicken. You mention that she is very unhappy, hides and doesn't move much. A chicken that's hiding and not moving much, ime, they are in pain or very sick.
I'm sorry that your friend is having to deal with this. If she doesn't improve quickly with treatment (antibiotics?) I would consider putting her down, since from your description it sounds like she is just miserable and her quality of life is diminished.

 

[Eggcessive]

If the hen dies or they decide to cull her, I would advise them to get a necropsy. That would confirm if her legs and feet swelling is due to MS or another type of bacterial arthrits (such as staph from bumblefoot,) or if it could still be gout. Most state vets and poultry labs will do necropsies for a small fee. The body must be promptly kept cool but not frozen, and sent or taken in ASAP. Shipping can be done overnight via UPS or Fedex or you may deliver it. Here is a link where to contact your state vet and there are 2 listed in UT:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Tatuana]

Update: The chicken finally died. And with her death we finally discovered what was wrong. She finally passed after a day of not moving/eating and being cold with a droopy comb.

We discovered the cause, however. It was mites. There's a specific type of mites that feed under the scales. The lady happened upon a video that mentioned it in passing. Chicken's feet had the exact same thing. An Epsom salt bath and a toothbrush removed all the blackness on her feet, which turned out to be mite poo. Her feet began to shrink within a few hours. A vet friend confirmed that's the most likely cause of her feet problems.

But it was sadly too late. Chicken passed that night, surrounded by family and friends. (Their autistic daughter REALLY loved that chicken, which is why they didn't cull earlier).

The rest of the herd is being treated to prevent this from happening from others. I would have thought the others would have mites if she did.

Anyway, tragic ending, but I thought I'd help spread the word about these strange mites. Weeks of looking/asking chicken people and the possibility never came up. I feel bad for the poor girl. She must have suffered a lot. At least she's in peace now. I didn't know chickens could die from mites. I thought lack of food/water would do it, but she ate and drank just fine.