Bumblefoot surgery - with pics and "how to"

wildsam said:

Ever since I found it last week she is inside in a smallish tub with aspen bedding. Her foot gets wrapped and tended to at least once a day, including soaking, digging and trying to get it out (which doesn't even work with tweezers). Then clear iodine, BlueKote and Neosporin before getting wrapped up in veteran and put in solitary again. I don't like keeping her all alone but that's the only way right now as she won't keep her diaper on so she can walk around inside a bit.

Will see that I get some PenG tomorrow with needle and inject it. I'm just so worried since it seems to be getting bigger, harder and hotter. I don't want it to lead to the worst all while she has to suffer and go through all the stress with us messing with her every day. She deserves better than that. And she is only a year old now

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Well, in reading up on PenG it says no more than four days use and inject into a large muscle such as breast or thigh for a chicken being careful to avoid blood vessel or nerves. I'm also reading that tea tree oil is a powerful antibiotic. I may try that.

I'm also reading what type of antibiotics work for staph and I see Erythomycin, Lincomycin, Doxycycline and Sulpha drugs on the lists. Maybe some of those type might work. I guess it all depends on the severity of the bacteria.

I dont recommend tea tree oil. See post #20 in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/180789/just-another-tea-tree-oil-thread/10

Yea, tea tree oil is toxic. I've heard it used on legs for mites, but that's it. Pen G injectable is best IMO for staph. Currently I'm using LS50 in the water, or Baytril oral.

Wildsam I have a problem like that too. Can't find the bumble and the roo can't walk on the foot. Isn't that thing supposed to be under the scab???

Question. I have a couple of hens with the telltale black scab to various degrees on their feet but no noticeable swelling on any of them, not anything nearly like the pictures I see. Do they still need the tissue removed? At what point is it necessary and is there ever a time when it's best to let it be and simply keep an eye on it?

ladyrsanti said:

Question. I have a couple of hens with the telltale black scab to various degrees on their feet but no noticeable swelling on any of them, not anything nearly like the pictures I see. Do they still need the tissue removed? At what point is it necessary and is there ever a time when it's best to let it be and simply keep an eye on it?

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I have never had to cut my ducks' feet, with bumblefoot. I have used Epsom salts and triple antibiotic ointment (no painkiller), and once I suspected bumblefoot and put clear iodine on the spot and it turned out to not be bumblefoot, and resolved.

ladyrsanti said:

Question. I have a couple of hens with the telltale black scab to various degrees on their feet but no noticeable swelling on any of them, not anything nearly like the pictures I see. Do they still need the tissue removed? At what point is it necessary and is there ever a time when it's best to let it be and simply keep an eye on it?

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If they aren't limping I leave them alone.

-Kathy

Alright, thanks. I'll keep an eye on them then.

seminolewind said:

Yea, tea tree oil is toxic.  I've heard it used on legs for mites, but that's it.  Pen G injectable is best IMO for staph.  Currently I'm using LS50 in the water, or Baytril oral. 

Wildsam I have a problem like that too.  Can't find the bumble and the roo can't walk on the foot.  Isn't that thing supposed to be under the scab???

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Supposed to be. Lol. But if there is anything it's that weird bubbly tissue that you can't grab at all.

Amiga, first a weird personal question: are you by chance German? Cause I see your ducks called numbers in German. Had to laugh the first time I read it.
Also, I tried the Epsom salt and triple ointment approach the first time, and again when I saw she could barely walk the second time. Didn't do anything for her. That's why I decided to open it and try to get the stuff out this time. Not going so well.

Just wish I had anyone close to help me out in person and maybe even show me what to do. The vet here has no clue about any poultry at all. And that up here in the WI boonies where almost everyone has at least some chickens! Don't get that...

Wildsam, I've got one like yours too. Last night I spent an hour (and lots of blood) and got out a soft kernel. I worked on the foot for another 40 minutes and didn't get anything else. Today he won't even put the foot down. I wonder if I got it all but it's hard to tell with the swelling.

Epsom and ointment I don't think is the wonder combo, but typical treatment. I have Epsom salts gel that I slather on and wrap every day for 5 days before I even start. It's like 24 hour soak. They make it for horses (Magna paste?) . Sometimes it helps. I think next time it will be the Epsom gel and the little home made donut that someone recommended that is placed around the scab area to help the bumble work to the center.

I have the feeling that bumblefoot goes hand in hand with some underlying low immunity. My chronic had about 5 in her life and died of aspergillosis. This one is a probable Marek's . I have another one who has several and I think she has chronic aspergillosis as well.

I wish I had a bumble queen nearby!

15 minute Epsom salt soaks twice a day, and Iodine and sugar poultice works great on bumble foot. Even if you end up having to open it up, this prepares it wonderfully.