update-Rudy's gone...Anyone here ever given their chicken glucosamine?

[SpottedCrow]

I looked at his legs and thought gout too...
Gout (also called metabolic arthritis) is a disease due to a congenital disorder of uric acid metabolism. In this condition, monosodium urate or uric acid crystals are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues due to elevated concentrations of uric acid in the blood stream. This provokes an inflammatory reaction of these tissues. These deposits often increase in size and burst through the skin to form sinuses discharging a chalky white material.

 

[TJ]

...Okay, I did some research in response to the last post regarding gout. I did find that it is common in birds and that a study done had found that if the birds were taken off of a high protein feed and placed on stock ration that the bird gained weight and the gout regressed... This sure does sound like what he has but still not sure. And what is "stock ration"?...

Should I isolate him with his own food & water containers? Should I continue the glucosamine? Would an aspirin hurt? I know if I were asking these questions at any other place I would be soliciting a ton of eye rolls but I know that you all understand... I know this is alot to go thru for a chicken.

Thank you all again! I'm watching this post so I'll try and answer back right away.

Warm regards,
TJ

 

[TJ]

Quote:
Thank you SpottedCrow... Is this something that a vet would know about or be able to treat? Can I treat it? Please advise.

Thanks again...
TJ

 

[SandraChick]

Gout was the first thing that came to my mind too!

I don't know much about it, but I know you have to lower his protein content.

I wonder if the vet ruled out gout for some other reason or if he didn't consider it. Might be worth a call.

We are after all just looking at pics and the vet did an exam--then vets are human and don't know everything either!

Sandra

 

[Pine Grove]

Spotted Crow you are correct, And Sandra you are so right about vets, They will give you an answer right or wrong, Afterall thats what they are getting paid for.
TJ sometimes its genetic, most times its from excess protien in the diet. More common it affects the feet and older birds and less common in the hocks(as yours) I have seen it in the wing a few times also.Probably nothing you can do to correct his condition, but 1/4 of an asprin a day will help with the pain.

 

[TJ]

Thank you Pine Grove! I just talked to the vet and told them what I had found out and asked if there was any treatment for gout in poultry and they said that the most they could do is give him vitamin D shots and that they really don't specialize in birds and that I should seek out the advice of an aviary specialist. They also suggested feeding him something called "Red Cell", a vitamin supplement fluid that you mix with their food.

I was wondering if I should isolate him? He doesn't get picked on a whole bunch unless he gets in the way of one of the bigger, bossier roosters and I don't know how much he is drinking or eating, altho' I do see him near the feeders...

And what exactly is a low protein feed for poultry?

Thanks again you all!

TJ

 

[SpottedCrow]

I wouldn't separate him...I don't know what the protein for most of the Poultry Chow is...I'll have to check the bag of food in the morning...
There might be a special rooster's only food that you can buy for him.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Here are some articles which may help you with your questions:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/204606.htm&word=gout

http://www.vetcareindia.com/aviangout_bull.htm

http://www.hy-line.com/userdocs/library/0_Avian Urolithiasis Eng.pdf

 

[Pine Grove]

TJ's bird has articular gout, thats different from visceral gout, Birds with urolithiasis dont live very long.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I was sorting through my articles and editing as I found them...

from the second link above:
"...Articular gout is considered to be the chronic form of the disease and is less common. Lesions observed are urate deposition around joints, ligaments and tendon sheaths. There is a prediliction for peripheral articulations. Clinical signs observed are shifting leg lameness with joints becoming warm, swollen and tender. It is a condition in chickens that has been recognized for more than 30 years. Visceral gout is considered to be the acute form of the disease causing huge mortality and characterized by urate deposits on serosal surfaces, most often in the liver, kidney, pericardium, heart and air sacs..."