rooster with bumble foot

well when my hen had bumblefoot,

I did the operation. I had to do it again, because I did not get all of the gunk out.

Then I soaked her foot in warm water in Epsom salt for 20 mins a day (quite a battle) for 2-3 weeks.

I packed the hole with Neosporin then wrapped her foot with gauze and vet wrap everyday.

I had her on PenG only because I believe the bumblefoot got into her blood stream and started to make her lethargic.

This whole time she stayed in a separate cage with wood shavings to keep the wound clean.

It was a LOT of work, but it payed off, and now my hen is happy and healthy!

Are you doing something similar?

  Can you post a picture of what it looks like now?

You said:

what was your rx for your hen?

what do you mean?

Are you talking about the PenG?

If there's swelling - then you need to cut into the swollen parts.  There will be more kernels in those places.  I know it's not fun, but it has to be done and it has to be done in an aggressive manner.  I had to cut VERY deeply on the bottom in an X pattern, and then between the toes on the top as well.  It was very disconcerting!  Then, I sprayed with blukote and put dollops of neosporing directly into the incisions.  I wrapped first with gauze, then with vetwrap.  I soaked in epsom salts the next day, pressed around and discovered one more kernel - so after it I went - aggressively.  Re-dressed it every day for a week and kept her inside and quiet.  Then I redressed it every other day for another 10 days - and during that time I let her back outside. 

I've only had to do this once...and I was totally freaked out.  But it worked.  I did not end up using any antibiotics.

Depending on the size of your chicken...  .4cc to 1/2cc IM into the breast for 4 days.  There's more info on here if you do a search using keywords "dosage" "penG".

I have had PLENTY of experience with Bumble & YES if it goes on for Mos. it Will go into the Hock(foot/leg bone).  One of the things to be careful with is over wrapping. I use the stretchy bandage that sticks to itself & AVOID wrapping around Toes(use skinny strips of Duc tape if they try to get it off & try to avoid taping over Bumble site so you don't block the air.  Staph infections DON'T like air. Staph DOES like moisture so if the bandage gets wet it needs to be changed. Pen G works great BUT you need to keep on top of wound care at the same time.  The removal of ALL OFF White cheese like curds is VERY important! I NOW keep a Cricut cutting tool handy(Its a plastic wand with a sm. sharp blade & can be purchased at michaels or any major craft store). In regards to treating the site I have a couple things I have discovered on my own & they work.  In your Epsom Salt bath add aprox. 1/4-1/2 Tsp. of Hot Tub Sanitizer.  It should be to where if you dip your hand in you can catch a whiff on your hand. I pull the curtain BUT allow a gap for air circulation & crack the bath window.  When your done I give the feet a little splash to rinse residual. The product Vetericyn also works Great but its a bit pricey & Should be applied 2xs a day.  I personally cut a Large Band aid down to little squares & leave just enough strip to stick on back of Foot(hock).  Then I cut a sm. square piece of Gauze 2-3 layers thick(allows air) & press the very edge against the sticky part of band aid. Then I squirt a little Betadine on gauze.  I also use a Q Tip & clean Bumble Hole.  Then I place a sm. amt. of Vetericyn in hole & let it set for a few mins.  I also put some on the betadine gauze(will not interact with Vetericyn).     Its a pain in the Butt but its better than having it come back on you.  Its a lot of work but if you stay on top of it you will prevail. When you get a healthy scab it will have the color of a Humans scab NOT Black.

Good Luck!

(p.s. I'am a Med. asst. & have spoken with a Vet extensively on this topic)  

LOVE the Cricut cutter idea...I ordered a student dissection kit that came with a scalpel and blade..but I was wondering how I was going to get more blades without spending a fortune on a ton of them!  This will work much better.