Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[good_egg]

I've read luvachicken thread and I'm wondering if I have the same thing...?

 

I was bathing the girls cos they had dirty bums and I had read shabbychics sad post so was paranoid! Anyway, I noticed Connie has a small brown lump in the middle of her pad... She has curly toes so her feet are a bit strange and they all seem to have quite dirty feet at the moment but I'm wondering if it is bumblefoot... There's no swelling but it is a definite round brown dot.... I tried to wash it off but didn't have a brush or anything so wasn't easy... How do you keep their feet clean?

 

Should I try getting some iodine and bathing it - if so how do you do this? Or is the best bet to go to vet - only hesitation is its a 45minute drive and I don't want to subject her to that if I can fix it...

[Luvachicken]

Oh dear, not another one.

There is no swelling on mine either or pus.

The brown dot in the middle of mine that wouldn't come off is what made me suspicious in the first place.

Also Gemma did squeal a little bit when I did try to pick it off.

Although I often check their foot fluff I hadn't really noticed the mud dots before.

I'm glad I know what to look for now.

 

My vets is 10 mins away and I don't have air con in my car, so the poor girls sat on the back seat in the cat boxes hopefully getting any breeze there was from my windows today.

Do you not have a vet any closer than 45 mins ?

I hope you get things sorted.

I'm just about to give them their antibiotics and their iodine wash. I hope it works.

[Egghead68]

The dot contains the bacteria so if you can get it off easily (try soaking) then this should help. You can get the iodine at any chemist's. Dilute it with water to weak tea colour and then wipe her feet with it twice a day. I think it is best to see a vet for antibiotics if you haven't dealt with it before (although personally if it is mild I would see if it improves with a few days of iodine first). More tips on the other thread.

[good_egg]

Thanks. I'll get iodine and start that.... There is a closer vet but when we went there the first time he was totally non-plussed... Said "it's a chicken, its really only dead or alive" and charged us!! Might phone and see what they think or phone the one we use as they have prescribed spot on without seeing hens ok before... Fingers crossed.

[Luvachicken]

If your vets are happy to give medicine without seeing them, they will need to know the weight of your chicken so they can work out how much Baytril to give them.

In this heat I think they would understand not bringing them in - after all, it would be 1 and 1/2 hours altogether.

[good_egg]

Went to vet, but new one that is nearer. Been sent away with an iodine poultice one and we have put a baby sock over to protect. No antibiotics though. Vet looked up treatment in book and wasn't keen to give antibiotics Bit frustrated as I knew to bathe in iodine and poor wee Connie was so stressed by journey and now, to cap it all off, Annette is bullying her now she is back - any suggestions for fixing?

[Egghead68]

I expect they will calm down with treats and time. I think if the bumblefoot is mild iodine should fix it. Sorry you had an unnecessary trip to the vet but it's better safe than sorry and it's hard to tell how severe the problem is over the internet.

The baby sock is an inspired idea - if she keeps it on!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[good_egg]

Right I now have amoxicillin tablets (huge -eek) and iodine. Oh and a huge pecking order issue!! The vet has said to soak pad in iodine then tape on to foot... I'm wondering if that makes her look different and is causing the issue with Annette.... Thoughts? Also tips on tablets - unfortunately she is a dainty eater and doesn't eat grapes/strawberries Eric whole!!!

[good_egg]

Ok, so black dot peeled off this morning - left a little bit of a hole. I've just replaced the dressing (iodine soaked cotton wool with micropore).... I'll do this a couple of times today so it stays cleaner. Should I do anything else?

 

Antibiotics being fed crushed in tuna. Version 3 and seems to work! Thanks

[Luvachicken]

Funny how different vets do different things for the same problem

I was given liquid Baytril not a tablet.

I have also managed to get one blob off of Gemma's foot - but no dressing for us, just the footwash.

 

I hope your bumblefoot clears up soon. Mine have finished their course of medicine this morning, so I hope it has done it's stuff.