Hen limping , lethargic, watery poop.

[Bocktobery 10]

Hey.. I just wanted to note, and this is serious, that bumblefoot is caused by staph infection. It’s somewhat a risk to you, if perchance while operating this gets into you, either by accidental cut, old wound that’s exposed to the infected foot/blood, or by hand to eye rubbing after touching the area and not washing up correctly... somehow getting into your body. No one really talks about it, but it’s a serious thing, a possibility of even needing to be hospitalized if one’s immune system is compromised, or not. You don’t want to mess with it, but if you decide to do the operation, make sure you have surgical gloves on and everything gets sterilized and/or disposed of later.

Just want to note that here. I was told this by my vet, whom I trust. Sometimes too hens can just have fat foot padding or wounds that look like bumblefoot but are not.


How is your hen now?

Mine responded very well to the Sulmet. She’s still thin, but her appetite has been picking up. She wants to be back outside with the others. Also been feeding her yogurt with royal jelly, bee propolis and manuka honey. It seems to be helping a lot as she perks up hours later.

 

[jsr5]

She seems to really like having the ankle wrapped. So after I change dressings again tonight I may see how she does out with the other birds. not going to take her out there this time thiugh just keep her up here but let her out to see how much she WANTS to move around.

And yeah I take steps to prevent cross contamination I am a carrier for staph as well so I have to be careful not to give it as well

 

[izchief360]

@jsr5 @Bocktobery 10 what became of your hens? Mine has been acting very similarly this past week.

 

[jsr5]

Lil red hen recovered and actualy seemed iritateed when she lost her pink wrap We put her out and she came back to the house that evening limping again we took her back in that night thinking wee would have to re examine the issue but she got her bath and a treat and was suddenly all better pretty sure she was just faking me out for another bath and special food my girls are too darn smart for their own good I tell ya. .

 

[Bocktobery 10]

@jsr5 @Bocktobery 10 what became of your hens? Mine has been acting very similarly this past week.

The hen I spoke about did make a recovery but got sick later and died. Sorry I just saw your note here. It’s been awhile! Yes, my hen that did the five bomb and injured herself got well enough again to be back outside with the gang in the coop but later got sick and died. I think last November or December of 2019. I didn’t do a necropsy.

 

[31322]

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
She is a Rhode Island red, Seems healthy otherwise normal weight she is molting about done.


2) What is the behavior, exactly.
She was noticed limping. Later she was found huddled in a corner alert but not responding to the activity around her. We broght her in had a good look at the feet. ONe was a little puffier no Core that I could see. She has been separate a couple days but doesn't seem to be getting better in fact she is worsening not wanting to walk. She has a light green tint to the puffy foot like its under the scales. Edit to say not the entire foot just parts of the foot around the edges in spots. we did a epsom salt soak for about 30 minutes all she would tolerate. I have been putting hen healer and vetrycin on it. I was gonna try to drain it but can't really find a "pocket to drain. I tried a small incision but got only watery blood cleaned and put triple antibiotic on it. She seemed to be having difficulty straining to push somthing out. I thought maybe egg bound she hasn't laid any eggs since we brought her in. Using hemerhroid cream I inserted a finger about 1.5 inches in and felt nothing hard ot seeming blocked this was after the very watery poop mostly clear discharge with little patches and strings of white and a smallish pile of green grainy looking poop.When I have been holding her she eats well, pellets and dried meal worms. doesn't drink while I"m holder her but I'm unsure if she has been in the brooder

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?

about 4 days total 3 of them inside in the brooder.

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?

no

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
as noted above the swollen and firm foot pad couple brown surface spots but nothing like a core or a pocket to be drained.

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.

I wonder if she could have gotten stepped on. They tend to like to be close and when walking I have had many close calls and a couple stepped on. But I always check and watch to be sure they aren't hurt so I really don't think so.

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
unsure about drinking I marked it tonight so I can see in the morning. I put Pennchlor64 in her water tonight.

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.

very watery poop mostly clear discharge with little patches and strings of white and a smallish pile of green grainy looking poop

9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?

Removed to brooder to rest and have food and water close. epsom salt soak tonight. two days prior it was cleaned and hen healer and vetrycin put on it. tried to see if it would drain tonight small incisionmade and triple antibiotic put on it she has been held alot tonight she likes to settle in. and or eat pellets and worms she has a good appetite seems to be eating fine.

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Prefer to treat her myself. I don't have money for vet unless it is absolutely needed.

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it.

It may help.Nothing but a puffy swollen foot pad really no pics tonight but could take some tommorrow easily enough hoping somthing recognizeable like a bubble foot will show so I can fix whats wrong.

12) Describe the housing/bedding in use

I have a 12x12 coopf and a very large enclosed run for my flock of about 50. since the snow finally left and we had some sunshine they have been free ranging the last couple weeks. In the coop pine shavings are used on the floor and in nest boxes.

My Rhode Island Red is one year old and is exhibiting the same limp and the description Songster gave of the poop is right on for my hen too. What is it? What can be done?

 

[jsr5]

Keep reading all that was done is in here and an after action report as well.