Scaly leg mite and leg deformity

Chizs1985

Chirping
Jul 17, 2020
30
45
61
I am sure this has been asked and answered many times but...
I have made a huge error, I took on 2 adult pekins, both seem healthy and happy but I stupidly neglected to check their feet and they both have severe scaly leg.
I know how to treat scaly leg but my question is...
It is clear that they have had this for a long time and their legs have great big oddly shaped crusted lumps over them, I assume this is from the leg mites will they just go as I treat for the mites? Is there anything specific I should do on top of the normal treatment or is it too late for them?
 

coach723

Free Ranging
7 Years
Feb 12, 2015
7,522
12,398
641
North Florida
Pictures would be helpful. Those crusted lumps are the detrius that is left by the mites, and it can be really hard, like concrete. It may take some time for it all to come off. You want to remove it, but not to damage any of the tissue underneath. So I would do regular soaks, you can use a soft toothbrush and gently try to remove some each time. The oiling of the legs will also help soften it up. Depending on how much there is, and how thick, it may take many times before it's all gone. When that detrius builds up over time it can become so severe that circulation can be cut off, so it does need to come off. You just can't really rush the process, and try to do as little damage to the legs and scales as possible. Vaseline or nu stock ointment can also be used. Any of those will suffocate the mites and soften up the gunk. I would not use the gasoline method that some use to treat scaly mites if you have a lot of scale loss, detrius build up, and possible broken skin, it would burn and damage tissue (I'd actually never use that method anyway). Depending on severity, this may take quite a while to clear up and look normal again.
 

Chicalina

Crowing
Aug 1, 2020
3,103
4,559
391
UK
soak their feet for 20 mins at a time in warm epsom salt water. Then pick the crusts off, scrub with a soft toothbrush to loosen them, redunk feet, repeat. Then coat in vaseline or coconut oil. Do this every week for a couple of months, and you'll see a huge improvement but it's slow. The leg and feet scales need to fall off, and regrow. The mite crud needs to go. That's the crusty lumps you are seeing. Be careful to peel really gently or sometimes you can take some skin off.

Feathered footed breeds are notorious for this problem. It has taken me about 2 years of battling this on and off with my silkie rooster.

I also use ivermectin spot on to kill the mites and any other parasites at source. But removing the crud is a manual treatment. Bit by bit over several months.

Also trim the feet feathers as it makes it much easier when greasing them up.
 

Chizs1985

Chirping
Jul 17, 2020
30
45
61
Pictures would be helpful. Those crusted lumps are the detrius that is left by the mites, and it can be really hard, like concrete. It may take some time for it all to come off. You want to remove it, but not to damage any of the tissue underneath. So I would do regular soaks, you can use a soft toothbrush and gently try to remove some each time. The oiling of the legs will also help soften it up. Depending on how much there is, and how thick, it may take many times before it's all gone. When that detrius builds up over time it can become so severe that circulation can be cut off, so it does need to come off. You just can't really rush the process, and try to do as little damage to the legs and scales as possible. Vaseline or nu stock ointment can also be used. Any of those will suffocate the mites and soften up the gunk. I would not use the gasoline method that some use to treat scaly mites if you have a lot of scale loss, detrius build up, and possible broken skin, it would burn and damage tissue (I'd actually never use that method anyway). Depending on severity, this may take quite a while to clear up and look normal again.
I will try to get a photo when I bring her in for a footbath shortly. Its really horrid, I'm so annoyed with myself that I didn't check them.
 

coach723

Free Ranging
7 Years
Feb 12, 2015
7,522
12,398
641
North Florida
It happens, at least now they will get treated and get better. I would give them a good going over to make sure they didn't bring any other mites, or lice with them. I would also probably get a fecal done to check for internal parasites, or go ahead and worm them.
If you have other birds, it's best to quarantine them for 4 to 6 weeks away from your flock, to make sure you don't introduce something to your other birds.
 

Chicalina

Crowing
Aug 1, 2020
3,103
4,559
391
UK
Pictures would be helpful. Those crusted lumps are the detrius that is left by the mites, and it can be really hard, like concrete. It may take some time for it all to come off. You want to remove it, but not to damage any of the tissue underneath. So I would do regular soaks, you can use a soft toothbrush and gently try to remove some each time. The oiling of the legs will also help soften it up. Depending on how much there is, and how thick, it may take many times before it's all gone. When that detrius builds up over time it can become so severe that circulation can be cut off, so it does need to come off. You just can't really rush the process, and try to do as little damage to the legs and scales as possible. Vaseline or nu stock ointment can also be used. Any of those will suffocate the mites and soften up the gunk. I would not use the gasoline method that some use to treat scaly mites if you have a lot of scale loss, detrius build up, and possible broken skin, it would burn and damage tissue (I'd actually never use that method anyway). Depending on severity, this may take quite a while to clear up and look normal again.

Snap! We cross posted!
 

Chicalina

Crowing
Aug 1, 2020
3,103
4,559
391
UK
I will try to get a photo when I bring her in for a footbath shortly. Its really horrid, I'm so annoyed with myself that I didn't check them.

It is easily missed especially with pekins and silkies etc. At least you are aware and can treat them now.
 

Chizs1985

Chirping
Jul 17, 2020
30
45
61
Thank you all, I'm glad to know that she could eventually have normal legs again. I have soaked her feet in Epson salt water and have saturated her feet in some scaly leg spray which should smother mites and soften legs (basically just oils i think). I have bagged her feet so that the bedding doesn't soak it up and dry on her feet, keeping her in a carrier in the house for the night.

She is completely healthy otherwise, she has been wormed, no lice or mites (dusted on arrival) they have gone through quarantine too, laying fine.
 

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