What is this large growth on my chicken's leg? Please help

[pennygirl]

Our production red had a black bump on her leg one day- it seemed to grow fast and she started pecking it. We brought her to the vet ( who sees birds- but did not know what it was) He gave her antibiotics but they don't seem to have made it change at all. We started to wrap it with antibiotic ointment and gauze with paper tape over it because she was pecking at it. It does not seem to hurt her. She is walking fine on that leg- eating fine- acting normal. But it is terrible looking and obviously something is wrong? could it be cancer? She is 3 years old. This has been going on for about 2 weeks now. Can anyone tell us what it is and what to do? Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be be a tumor, but it could have been injured or from a predator. I would suggest soaking the leg once a day in warm epsom salts or betadine and water. Dry the leg and apply an antibiotic ointment or Vetericyn, and wrap it in gauze and vet wrap to keep her from biting it. The black tissue may be dead or necrotic, and should be scrubbed gently to remove it down to pink tissue. Let us know how she does.

 

[sunflour]

If this is neoplasm, there's nothing that will help, so best to try to treat it as infection/injury and hope it works.

Eggcessive has given you the best advice. But iIf you see this getting worse, you could try anti-fungal topical treatments.

 

[pennygirl]

Thank you so much for your comments. It looks like you are right- it is a tumor that is getting bigger- but does not seem to bother her at all. Now that we are wrapping it- the sore has healed (where she pecked at it) SO we are just wrapping it and applying antibiotic ointment every other day. She is doing great other than this so we will enjoy her and let her be until it seems to bother her. We do not want her to suffer. Thanks again ( you knew more than the vet

 

[pennygirl]

Thank you for your help. Sadly, after wrapping her leg for two months- she showed signs that it was causing her pain. So we put her to sleep.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss, and it's good that you kept her from suffering.