I cant tell if my hen ohpra has a broken foot, she is limping and the foot is swollen and warmr than the other. I have her with asprin water right now but am not to sure of my next move.
What is going on with my birds leg?
- Thread starter farmerbrowne
- Start date
Is it hard or soft? Can you determine the source of any puncture or black scab on the bottom of the knot?
I would isolate your bird in a quiet, warm, dim place. Dog crate in the garage is ideal.
If it's bumblefoot, you'll see a black scab somewhere, usually on the bottom of the swelling. You'll have to operate on the kernel and get the infection out before it becomes systemic.
I'm unsure if this is a broken foot, because the swelling seems very isolated. If there were broken bones, her toes, foot, and leg would be swollen as well.
It could be some kind of staph infection from a small cut that got infected. Could you include a picture of the bottom of her foot as well?
MrsB
I would isolate your bird in a quiet, warm, dim place. Dog crate in the garage is ideal.
If it's bumblefoot, you'll see a black scab somewhere, usually on the bottom of the swelling. You'll have to operate on the kernel and get the infection out before it becomes systemic.
I'm unsure if this is a broken foot, because the swelling seems very isolated. If there were broken bones, her toes, foot, and leg would be swollen as well.
It could be some kind of staph infection from a small cut that got infected. Could you include a picture of the bottom of her foot as well?
MrsB
- Thread starter
- #3
I cant see any black scab on her, one of her scales up on the leg is discoloured, in the pic there is a bit of poo on her she wouldnt let me get off. her big toe seems to be swollen around the nail however. Sorry for the poor quality of the pic btw.
- Thread starter
- #4
Alright, I haven't seen the black scab, tomorrow I will look close tomorrow. now I read how to do the surgery and am confident but I do have a couple questions. I was thinking first if I should use some sort of anesthesia local or other wise, I know how painful surgery is. I know I know people are up in arms about it but wonder is there something I can use to numb the site safely? My next question is after the surgery, there seems to be quiet the hole in the foot and wondered if I could use medical packing? I have a container of iodoform packing strip bottle left over from my abdominal surgery. I would appreciate all the help I can get. Thank you
Perform surgery only if you're SURE it's bumblefoot.
If it's not bumblefoot (there would be a black scab), I suggest treating for an injured leg.
The best way to do that is to build a chicken sling ~~> https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/609764/my-chicken-sling
You can make one using items you already have at your house.
Just make sure she has water and food within reach. I would sprinkle some turmeric (reduces inflammation) in her food and offer some high-protein treats (like boiled egg or meal worms) to get her eating.
Is she still eating and drinking normally? If she goes off food and water, please let us know.
If you can get her off her leg for a while, the swelling may go down and allow her to heal herself without constantly using her leg.
And to answer your question about the surgery.... Chickens are not mammals and handle/exhibit pain very differently. A bumblefoot surgery is performed without anesthetic. Place a towel over her head to make it dark, and she should calm right down. Then you perform the surgery, get the kernel out, and pack the wound with Neosporin.
Again, without a black scab or puncture, I am unsure if bumblefoot surgery would help. Obviously, finding the source of the suspected injury would be great.
Keep us posted!
MrsB
If it's not bumblefoot (there would be a black scab), I suggest treating for an injured leg.
The best way to do that is to build a chicken sling ~~> https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/609764/my-chicken-sling
You can make one using items you already have at your house.
Just make sure she has water and food within reach. I would sprinkle some turmeric (reduces inflammation) in her food and offer some high-protein treats (like boiled egg or meal worms) to get her eating.Is she still eating and drinking normally? If she goes off food and water, please let us know.
If you can get her off her leg for a while, the swelling may go down and allow her to heal herself without constantly using her leg.
And to answer your question about the surgery.... Chickens are not mammals and handle/exhibit pain very differently. A bumblefoot surgery is performed without anesthetic. Place a towel over her head to make it dark, and she should calm right down. Then you perform the surgery, get the kernel out, and pack the wound with Neosporin.
Again, without a black scab or puncture, I am unsure if bumblefoot surgery would help. Obviously, finding the source of the suspected injury would be great.
Keep us posted!
MrsB
- Thread starter
- #6
Ok so Im pretty sure its not bumble foot, but its still infected for sure, no broken bones or injured leg as far as I can see. she isnt doing much moving, still eats and drinks water. Im thinking I should lacerate the swollen part of the foot to draw out the infection.
The antibiotics needed to treat the infection internally will probably need to be prescribed by a vet.
You could start shoving raw garlic down him for a while... That's been rumored to help, but it depends on how far the infection has gotten.
As for lancing the wound, do what you think is best.
MrsB
You could start shoving raw garlic down him for a while... That's been rumored to help, but it depends on how far the infection has gotten.
As for lancing the wound, do what you think is best.
MrsB
- Thread starter
- #8
As I do not have money to see a vet nor have I seen any in town that take care or prescribe for chickens I decided the best thing was to do an incision. I had everything as sterile as possible and with a new surgical scalpel made a slit on the growth on the foot. A lot of smelly puss came pouring out. After a fair amount of pushing gently I managed to get out a hard piece of puss the size of a kernel of corn. she now is resting in "sick bay". Oprah seems to be in better health, she is clucking and pecking at her food and drinking water. I have put polysporin on the wound and used vet wrap to keep dirt out.
Good for you being brave enough up do what you thought was best. Sounds like things should get better from here on out.
Great news!
MrsB
MrsB
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