HELP!!! Swollen foot, NOT Bumblefoot!

[ShacktownChick]

I have an Ameraucana that is almost a year old. She has always had issues since she was young, seems to have been a little bow legged and always rested more than the others but ate and drank and forages normally. Her foot became swollen some months back and I took care of it the first time with antibiotics, it seemed to have helped. Now the foot as well as the leg is more and more swollen daily. Seems to do a little better after an epsom salt soak, and I have started giving her vitamin B supplement. There is no corn on the bottom of the foot as is the tell tale sign of Bumblefoot, and someone else suggested Gout. Anyone have any idea what this could be? How else I could treat her? Or if I am doing the right things? I'm at a loss, this being my first flock, and feeling like a bad chicken mom. Lost one to Marek's, although this is nothing like that was. I need HELP please! Suggestions???

 

[purpletree23]

I can guarantee you that you are not a 'bad chicken mom'. If you were you wouldn't be asking questions and trying to do whats best for your girl.

Could she have sprained it or twisted it? Does she walk like she is in pain? Can you add a picture of the underside of her foot?

If there isn't a break in the skin or infection and gets around OK and eats and drinks it might just be a physical abnormality. Another sign that it could be in infection is the temp of the feet. Hold both of her feet in your hands. One in the left and one on the right. Do they feel like the same temp or is the swollen one hotter.

You can keep up with the soaks and if she will tolerate it you can gently palpate the area and see if you can feel anything unusual. First do that to another one of your chickens so you know what a normal foot feels like.

I think time will tell on this one.

 

[ShacktownChick]

Ok, so this is honestly the first time I have seen this mark. Which indicates Bumblefoot right? I swear this afternoon it wasn't there, but it has been raining like crazy over here so I thought it may be mud but it's not wiping off. The foot is hot, and tender to handle too much, she pulls back. She is good about tolerating the foot soak, usually sits quietly in my lap until the other animals start inspecting her, lol. I have a job that takes me away from home for a few days at a time and it's impossible to do the soaks everyday. I'm wondering if I should quarantine her again and give her antibiotics? I just hate to do that, she is like mother hen to one of my Banty's, and I hate to separate them. Ugh.

 

[Araucana16]

It could certainly indicate bumblefoot. I would recommend covering her up with a towel and them making a tiny cut on the bottom of the foot.

Then squeeze the foot. If it is bumble foot, a thick cheesy foul smelling paste will come out. Then soak in epsom salts.

 

[ShacktownChick]

Yikes, really? Cut her foot? I guess I'm a chicken myself, lol. What happens if nothing comes out?

 

[purpletree23]

I agree with araucana16 but if you aren't comfortable doing that you can soak the foot and see what tomorrow brings. Separating her from the others isn't necessary unless they are pecking at her. It's hard to reintroduce a chicken to it's flock mates after being gone for a day or two.

Bumblefoot surgery is something you should start thinking about now and getting your supplies ready or if you can't do it yourself a vet might be needed. Sometimes these infections go away on their own. Think about a small infection you may have had at one time. Hot water soaks, neosporine and a clean bandage a few times a day works wonders.

 

[Eggcessive]

There are many online instructions on the bumblefoot surgery. It basically is to make a cut near the spot, open deeply until you get all of the yellow waxy core out, then neosporin, wrap it up with vet wrap.

 

[ShacktownChick]

Well, I did the surgery, although I don't think I'm cut out for it! Daisy was fine, I almost fainted a few times... Haha. I didn't get any bulbous rubbery things out, though a lot of milky yellowish goo squeezed out, and I think it relieved the pressure. I have her isolated right now with antibiotics in her water because the infection is pretty wide spread in her foot and leg now. I only hope she comes through it alright! Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and help. I'll keep y'all posted!

 

[Egg Yolk]

Is she doing well?

 

[ShacktownChick]

So, Daisy is not getting any better. In fact her foot is worse than ever! It relieved a bit of clearish yellowish goo when I cut it, actually quite a bit. I didn't pull out any 'corn' like thing, or white clumps of whatever. It didn't seem like Bumble foot to me, especially how everyone had described it. I had her on antibiotics and isolated her for a few weeks and it didn't seem to get any better. It is now extremely swollen and keeps cracking and bleeding and her scales are falling off. The swelling goes all the way up her leg. She won't tolerate epsom salt soaks any more. She seems to be happiest with her flock, and is still foraging and getting up on her roost to sleep. I decided to just let her be happy and just be until she can't be anymore. This makes me sad. I've tried to do everything I know for her, but nature will take it's course I'm sure. Just not sure when.