Using DMSO on chicks?

[itsy]

I have a weak chick who doesn't like to stand. His hocks are sore and red.

What are the general feelings of using DMSO on chicks? I was thinking of dipping a cotton swab in it and putting it on his hocks.

The other chicks are growing, and he is staying small. I stand him up by the water and he drinks - I hold food in front of him and he eats.

 

[speckledhen]

I don't think I would, honestly. Any idea why he's not standing? Leg issues in chicks rarely resolve satisfactorily, but it may not be a leg issue, exactly.

 

[itsy]

Thanks for responding. I made a post about it here , but it certainly isn't resolved. There are photos in that thread.

He's smaller than the others. He CAN stand - he just doesn't for long and he can walk, but he doesn't do that for long either. Every time I bring him to the water he drinks. When I bring food to him, he eats. He tries to cuddle up with the other chickens, but they walk over him often.

I can't physically see anything wrong with him. I thought he'd just need more time to catch up....

 

[speckledhen]

I read it, but no idea what the trouble is except maybe a genetic weakness in the hock joint or something along those lines. He'll have to soon get going or he won't thrive, I'm afraid. Leg issues aren't something that you can usually fix, unfortunately, and when there is a leg issue, there are often others internally that you can't see.

 

[itsy]

Thanks, Cynthia. Either way he goes - I hope he does it soon.

 

[itsy]

I just found the chick dead. He was flipped over on his back. I didn't expect him to flip.....

 

[speckledhen]

I'm sorry, though not really surprised. Was probably something else going on inside.

 

[itsy]

Thank you! That's nature for ya.