Young rooster limping

Nangkita · **Joined:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:29 am **Posts:** 11

Hi
Our young Wyandotte rooster (12 mths?) has started limping and when resting, lifting his leg to take the weight off the 'foot'. We have inspected it and there is nothing obvious as damage except for some swelling in the centre pad? Does anyone have any clues for us for cause or treatment?
He is eating, drinking, mobile (with pain) and still doing all the normal things that roosters do

I've kept him and the 'girls' in the pen for a couple of days this week much to their frustration as they would much rather be roaming the property.
Any ideas appreciated - I don't like seeing him in discomfort.
Cheers...

Egglive · **Joined:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:58 am **Posts:** 267

Swelling of the foot pad could be caused by bumblefoot, especially if you see a small scab or an entry point. Have a close look. Sometimes an entry point can heal over so it's not obvious. If that's what it is, it's caused by a staph infection.

Nangkita · **Joined:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:29 am **Posts:** 11

thanks - we'll have a closer look. I guess then it means anti-biotics from the vet?

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

If it's early bumblefoot then yes antibiotics and maybe antiinflammatories may be needed. Sometimes surgery is needed for deep infections or those that have been brewing for a long time.
Is the swelling in the central pad red?hot? hard or soft? And as Eggs Alive has suggested check for an entry point ie a scab or healed hole.

I'd also check further up the leg and check the leg's range of movement ie push the leg forward & backward & bend it & stretch it- then compare it to the other leg. Compare range of movement & pain reactions.

How long has he been lame & is it getting worse or staying the same?

Let us know what you find.

Cheers

parvo

Egglive · **Joined:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:58 am **Posts:** 267

It depends how bad it is and if this is what you have. It's hard to tell without seeing it. Have a feel of that foot pad and see if it feels swollen, tight and warm. If your bird is clearly experiencing pain, then something is wrong. If it's not this, then it could be something else such as a sprain or other foot or leg injury.

In bumblefoot cases (plantar pododermatitis), the best course is always a trip to the vet for prescription antibiotics. If there is cheesy material built up inside the foot pad like an abcess it can require cleaning out. People may clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and I've used a variety of treatments such as Savlon, other Chlorhexadine creams, Betadine, etc. In milder cases, a good clean and scrub and daily treatments with a topical antiseptic and bandanging of any wound with a little piece of vet wrap can keep it covered and clean. In mild cases, you may get away without using antibiotics. Healing can take quite some weeks in severe cases and antibiotics are necessary.

I'll try and post a link, but it may not work. This is a bumblefoot case after a soak. Sometimes that mark in the centre can be very small or almost invisible. In this case I had to open this and remove the infective material. She recovered after a few weeks.

Nangkita · **Joined:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:29 am **Posts:** 11

thanks for your replies. I've had a good look at it tonight and can see no wound or penetration mark or anything obvious. The colour is normal looking or towards a bit white but not reddened. His foot appears slightly swollen between the back claw and the right front for about 1" up the leg and swollen in the pad. It is slightly warmer on the sore foot. Scaling on each leg looks normal and on feeling up his legs each feels the same. Curios....
I saw on another website a suggestion for hemorrhoid cream as an anti inflammatory - worth the try? What do you think?
Oh and he's been limping for about a week and it seems to be getting worse.

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

It sounds like it could be a tissue infection (cellulitis), inflammation or even a localised circulation problem.

It probably needs antibiotics and antiinflammatories ie a visit to the vet! In an ideal world you'd Xray the foot to see if the bone & joint are ok.

You can try the haemmorhoid cream but it is less likely to be effective because there is no wound. It is less likely to be able to penetrate intact skin.

Nangkita · **Joined:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:29 am **Posts:** 11

thanks so much for your suggestions/help.
cheers

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Young rooster limping

Who is on the Forum