Swollen chicken web

[MaChicker2594]

Hello- new to BYC

I have a chicken who has a very swollen web. There is no scab or swelling at the bottom of the foot that would suggest bumblefoot. This is the second time it happen to her. The first time it was very minimal and went away on its own. The purple spot is new as of today. No limping yet.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is bumblefoot. It can occur in the space between the toes and on the pads of the feet.

 

[MaChicker2594]

That is bumblefoot. It can occur in the space between the toes and on the pads of the feet.

Should I try to get the kernel out of there is no scab? Or just do the epsom salt bath?

 

[coach723]

You can try the soaks, but as swollen as that is it will probably need to be lanced and cleaned out. To do that, disinfect everything, swab the area betadine, either sterilize a very sharp blade, or buy a disposable scalpel (tractor supply carries some), make a small slit in the middle of the swelling and squeeze out the pus. The pus will be firm and creamy or pale yellow. Get all of it out, sometimes tweezers help if it doesn't come out as a solid mass, sometimes it's bits. Flush it out well with sterile saline or a chlorhexidine solution (hibiclens, you can get anywhere, walmart, pharmacy), then fill the hole with plain triple antibiotic ointment and cover the cut with a bit of gauze or telfa pad, and wrap with cowrap or vetwrap to keep it clean and dry. I check every day and put on fresh bandaging until I know it's healing well, then you can do every 2-3 days til it's completely healed. The wrap should be just tight enough to keep it in place, not too tight so circulation is cut off. Wrapping around the foot and ankle helps keep it from getting pulled off.

 

[Eggcessive]

Good advice from coach723. Here is a good video of putting on a bumblefoot dressing: