very lame chook

[stepyone]

hi all
Jerry my cochin cockerel went lame about a week ago. have had this happen before with others and just thought he'd twisted it or something. on friday he couldn't stand and when he tried he fell about trying to use his wing to support himself. had another good look at his feet but still can't see anything but he is not spreading his toes out so when he tries to stand his toes are sort of buckled under ( not very good at explaining it) tried to book him in at my vets on saturday only to be told they don't treat poultry . he has started to lose wieght and am really worried about him. am going to try another vet in the morning and just hope they will at least see him

[podstable]

Stepy- how old is Jerry, is he eating,does he seem to have lost balance?Assume you can't see-feel anything on leg or foot?? Ros

[Lydia]

Ah Stepyone,I am very sorry to hear that Jerry is unwell/lame.If he is having a problem eating pellets,try him with smaller food.Like finch seed,breadcrumbs(can be soaked in water),tinned cat food,redy brek or porridge.Just anything to give him some energy,if sweet things don't put him off food,try diluting some honey by warming it up,and putting a small amount with soft foods.
I am shocked that a vet refused to see/treat him.As they refuse to see poultry,did they suggest an alternative veterinary practise that does?
Good luck tomorrow,we're thinking of you and Jerry.

[stepyone]

sat in garden with him today and he soon ate mixed corn if I held it in front of him and some budgie food plus few meal worms and also had a drink. he is not off his food just dont think he's been able to get to it very well. when he's sitting he's fine just can't get up on his feet. he is only last years hatch so is just under a year old so its not like he's an old boy. wondered about bumble foot but can't see anything visually wrong with his feet( not that I really know what i'm looking for. just hope the vet will be able to do something for him. am also worried if the worst happens how his wife margot will cope as they are inseperable and she would be left on her own

[podstable]

With no obvious cause , a doting wife and you (!) then I think try another vet who will see him is your best option , cant let him suffer too long when hes clearly very loved. Let us know how you do, Ros

[Lydia]

Hi Stepyone,with bumblefoot,they can sort of clench their toes up.The foot,sort of our ankle area is swollen,as is the foot itself and very hot.
My RIR,recently had bumblefoot,in both her feet,one was slightly worse.I tried soaking it in warm,almost hot water that I had salt or dettol in.Bumblefoot is in fact an infection,hence the swelling and heat.I was hoping it would open and the puss drain out.
It didn't,so I took her to a very good poultry vet,who prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflamatories.She is 8 yrs old,and has made a full recovery.
She couldn't get up,was unbalanced and couldn't move to feed herself.
The vet told me that birds that are not as active are more prone to this,as are large birds getting off a perch or high object and causing a minor scratch or cut in their foot that then becomes infected.
Hens are also supposedly more prone in cold weather,I suspect because they don't roam as much,spending more time still.
Something else I noticed,mrs Clucky pecked at her toes.She was also demented for any toe or dog nails,she no longer is.I believe this was her way of expressing pain,pain in her feet so she pecked them,this made it worse,so went round pecking at everything,toe nails were easy to get to.

[stepyone]

Well Jerry went to the vets today. vet had a look at him and did mention mareks wich has scared me half to death . said he has a definate swelling to muscle and joint in one leg so has been given injection (baytril) and liquid antibiotic to go in water so am really hoping that will sort him out. he is good in himself, alert eating drinking and enjoying all the fuss being made of him. would like to think if it was mareks that he would be going downhill fast and be depressed?he has had a bad foot for a little while now. vet did only say there is a chance of it but once its been said its given me something else to worry about now. everyone else is fine though

[podstable]

Thats great , if the vet feels there is swelling -i.e. a leg injury/infection/problem which can be treated I cant think that you need to worry re Mareks etc at all -hope the treatment will get him going soon. Ros

[Anne W]

Glad the vet has given him treatment - hope it resolves itself soon - such a worry aren't they?

[Lydia]

Hi Stepyone,I really do think the vet mentioned marek's as a possibility.I think if that was something Jerry definitely had he would have suggested a blood sample and stool sample to check this out.
He is probably 99% sure that it is swelling to muscle and joint from an injury,so treating for that first.
Also,although I've not experienced marek's in chooks,I do think you're right,and if it was that he wouldn't be eating at all.
Good luck,to you and Jerry,we are thinking of you.