Unusual swelling in hen's foot

[Anime2lover]

Just yesterday, I had to put down a hen with swollen feet. Here is how it started. Hopefully someone has any idea what happened and how it could be prevented.

About four days ago, I saw one of my gold laced wyandottes limping. I checked it out and saw nothing physically wrong. Only swelling right at the angle. No broken bones, dislocations or bumble. So we thought she might have sprained her muscle in the yard or something. We put her in a hospital cage near our silkies under cover with food and water for recovery. Just yesterday I went to check her. All she wanted to do was just lay in the corner of the cage, or eat. She didn't want to stand at all, even when we lifted her to check her leg. It had nearly doubled in size, like a balloon. It was not hard like bumble, but fluid and squishy. Also, we noticed that her other leg had swelled overnight. When we put her back down, she ate a few bites and went right back to lay in the corner we found her in. She did walk a few steps but that was it, and she hadn't eaten much food. We didn't (and still don't) have anything to bring down swelling, and she was in pain, so we decided it best to put her down. But the problem is, we don't know what could have happened so we don't know how to prevent it from happening again.

We did have avian influenza hit all our birds, but I don't think that causes that kind of swelling.


Sorry, I did not think to get any pics. So I don't have any. Tried my best to give an accurate account of the issue.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I wonder if it was gout. I know chickens can get it from high protein diets. Or maybe fluid retention from kidney problems?

I am so sorry that happened...

 

[Anime2lover]

I wonder if it was got. I know chickens can get it from high protein diets. Or maybe fluid retention from kidney problems?

I am so sorry that happened...

Not sure what you mean when you say got. Or fluid retention. We have not seen either of those in our flock. Mind giving me some idea as to what those are?

We have seen odd kidneys, but that was with our retired layer birds, not half year old pullets.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Not sure what you mean when you say got. Or fluid retention. We have not seen either of those in our flock. Mind giving me some idea as to what those are?

We have seen odd kidneys, but that was with our retired layer birds, not half year old pullets.

Gout. Autocorrect strikes again...

 

[Anime2lover]

Gout. Autocorrect strikes again...

Either way, what is it? Our birds get normal layer feed.

 

[Aunt Angus]

And she may have developed kidney issues at some point.

Gout is when there is a buildup of uric acid in the system. It causes swelling and pain, usually in lower extremities. People can get it, too.

I'm just kind of hypothesizing. A necropsy would tell you if you still have her body.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I think fluid retention like that can be caused by respiratory infections, too. Maybe it's a side effect of the flu?

 

[Anime2lover]

Shouldn't say half yrs old. She was old enough to lay eggs anyday now.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Did she get anything besides layer feed? Any other symptoms? Everything else normal (crop function, poop, behavior)?

 

[Anime2lover]

And she may have developed kidney issues at some point.

Gout is when there is a buildup of uric acid in the system. It causes swelling and pain, usually in lower extremities. People can get it, too.

I'm just kind of hypothesizing. A necropsy would tell you if you still have her body.

No. If we're going to be doing things in our pens and coops on the day a bird passes, we do not do necropsies. To much risk with what's already going on.

I think fluid retention like that can be caused by respiratory infections, too. Maybe it's a side effect of the flu?

Possibly. Didn't realize avian influenza messes with the kidneys.