My Injuries, Diseases, and Cures Information Library

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Courtesy of:............................ @ForTheLoveOfSilkies ..........................................................................................................@topochico225

What is it: Bumblefoot is an infection of the feet. Bacteria (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas)[3] enters the foot through a cut or splinter or other compromised skin, creating a pus filled abscess. Left untreated, it can spread to other tissues and bone, causing extreme pain, lameness, and even death.[1] Bumblefoot is characterized as usually having a black scab, or “plug”, with a core of whitish-yellow cheesy solidified pus.

Causes:

• Dirty/poopy/unsanitary/moist coop[2]
• Sharp/rough/splintery perches, walkways, and roosts[2]
• Vitamin A deficiency[2]
• Obesity[2]
• Roosts are too high[1]
• Overgrown toenails[2]
• Foot deformities or injuries[2]

Symptoms:

• Limping[2]
• Swelling[2]
• Heat[2]
• Redness/discoloration[2]
• Hard, black scab[2] often referred to as the “plug”.

Prognosis: Depends on severity. If caught early and treated, the prognosis is very good.[2]

Treatment: Bumblefoot is typically treated through removing the scab and removing the solidified pus core. There are different ways of removing the scab, whether that be cutting into the foot by surgery, or pulling the scab off. It is recommended that surgical removal be done by a vet, however, many people do this themselves. It can also be treated through non-invasive means depending on how advanced it is.

• Treatment 1: Scab Removal
  • Surgical
    • Supplies
      • Bath towel(s)
      • Sink/container big enough to submerge chicken’s foot under water
      • Epsom salts
      • Antibiotic solution for soaking, like Betadine, Tricide-Neo, Chlorhexidine 2% Solution, etc
      • Disinfectant, like bleach solution, rubbing alcohol, etc
      • Antimicrobial spray, like Vetericyn, Chlorhexidine 2% Solution, etc
      • Medical Gloves
      • A sharp, one sided razor blade, or scalpel
      • Tweezers
      • Topical antibiotic, like neosporin (no pain killer)
      • Gauze pad (preferably non-stick)
      • Vet Wrap or similar
      • Medical tape, if needed
    • Steps
      1. Disinfect tools and area where you will be doing the procedure
      2. Fill sink/soaking tub with very warm water, and add Epsom salts to it.
      3. Secure chicken. This can be done by wrapping firmly (not tightly!) in a towel, securing the wings down. A harness of some sort can also be used. Whatever keeps the chicken still and in a position that allows you to work.
      4. Clean and soak the chicken’s affected foot in the Epsom salts for at least 10 minutes.
      5. Remove feet from water. To add more combat/defense for infection, an antimicrobial spray may be applied to the feet before operation.
      6. Use a sharp blade to cut around the scab, angling inward to create a cone shape, with the scab being the base. Once done, use tweezers to pull up the scab. The core, or parts of it, may come up attached to the scab. All the solidified pus must be removed. Squeeze and massage the foot to push the rest of the pus up. Soak more if necessary.
      7. Once all the solidified pus is removed, soaking the foot in an antibacterial solution may be done to further kill infection. Follow soaking instructions for the solution of choice.
      8. Dry the foot. Pack the hole with a topical antibiotic.
      9. Place a small piece of gauze over the wound, big enough to effectively cover the entirety of it. Medical tape can be used to secure it in place if the wrapping does not. Wrap the foot with VetWrap, going between the toes. Make sure the wrapping is firm, but not tight! Wrapping too tightly can cause injury, such as death of the toes from lack of circulation.
      10. Remove the bandages every 1-2 days to assess the wound. Soaking in an antibiotic solution each time the bandages are removed may be done. Continue this process until the wound is fully healed.
    • Sources
      • https://the-chicken-chick.com/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning/
      • Bumblefoot How To Treat Your Chickens With Surgery Graphic Pics | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens
      • How I Cured Bumblefoot With Tricide Neo | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens
      • Bumblefoot in Chickens: The Complete Care and Treatment Guide - The Happy Chicken Coop
  • Non-Surgical
    • Supplies
      • Bath towel(s)
      • Sink/container big enough to submerge chicken’s foot under water
      • Medical Gloves
      • Epsom Salts
      • Antibiotic solution for soaking, like Betadine, Tricide-Neo, Chlorhexidine 2% Solution, etc
      • Topical Antibiotic, like neosporin (no pain killer)
      • Vet wrap
      • Gauze pad (preferably non-stick)
      • Medical tape, if needed
    • Steps
      1. Disinfect tools and area where you will be doing the procedure
      2. Fill sink/soaking tub with very warm water, and add Epsom salts to it.
      3. Secure chicken. This can be done by wrapping firmly (not tightly!) in a towel, securing the wings down. A harness of some sort can also be used. Whatever keeps the chicken still and in a position that allows you to work.
      4. Clean and soak the chicken’s affected foot in the Epsom salts for at least 10 minutes. The longer you do this, the softer the scab will become.
      5. With tweezers or gloved fingers, work at the scab to try to get it to come loose, along with the plug. Picking and pulling at the scab and forcing it to come loose is an option. Another option is to continue to gently work at the scab, being careful not to force it. Soak for longer if the scab does not loosen easily.
      6. All the solidified pus must be removed. Squeeze and massage the foot to push the rest of the pus up. Soak more if necessary.
      7. Once all the solidified pus is removed, soaking the foot in an antibacterial solution may be done to further kill infection. Follow soaking instructions for the solution of choice.
      8. Dry the foot. Pack the hole with a topical antibiotic.
      9. Place a small piece of gauze over the wound, big enough to effectively cover the entirety of it. Medical tape can be used to secure it in place if the wrapping does not. Wrap the foot with VetWrap, going between the toes. Make sure the wrapping is firm, but not tight! Wrapping too tightly can cause injury, such as death of the toes from lack of circulation.
      10. Remove the bandages every 1-2 days to assess the wound. Soaking in an antibiotic solution each time the bandages are removed may be done. Continue this process until the wound is fully healed.
    • Sources
      • Treating Bumblefoot - A Simple Surgical Approach | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens
      • Non-Surgical Bumblefoot Treatment | Tilly's Nest (tillysnest.com)
  • Treatment 2: Non-invasive
    • Supplies
      • Tricide-Neo
      • Container big enough to submerge chicken’s affected foot (optional: 2 containers)
      • Topical antibiotic like Neosporin (no pain killers)
      • Optional: VetWrap, non-stick gauze pad, medical tape
    • Steps
      1. Mix together solution for Tricide-Neo. Follow mixing instructions. Put in one of the soaking containers.
      2. Optional: Fill second container up with warm water
      3. Secure chicken. This can be done by wrapping firmly (not tightly!) in a towel, securing the wings down. A harness of some sort can also be used. Whatever keeps the chicken still and in a position that allows you to work.
      4. Optional: Wash chicken’s feet off to keep the Tricide-Neo mixture as clean as possible. Dry feet thoroughly.
      5. Soak chicken’s feet in Tricide-Neo for 5-10 minutes. Dry feet thoroughly.
      6. Apply topical antibiotic to the area
      7. Optional: Place a small piece of gauze over the scab. Medical tape can be used to secure it in place if the wrapping does not. Wrap the foot with VetWrap, going between the toes. Making sure the wrapping is firm, but not tight! Wrapping too tightly can cause injury, such as death of the toes from lack of circulation.
      8. Repeat the process once a day. Repeat twice a day for best results.
    • Sources
      • Non-invasive Bumblefoot Treatment: Success Stories | (ouroneacrefarm.com)
      • Treating bumblefoot with tricide-neo | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens (post #2)

Prevention:

• Balanced diet, limiting treats[1]
• Place roosts no more than 18 inches off the ground[1]
• Fix splinters and sharp edges around the coop that the chickens may be walking on.
• Keep coop clean and dry[2]
• Design run with proper drainage[2]
• Regularly check chickens’ feet if possible or if deemed appropriate.[1]
• Maintain appropriate toenail length[2]

Sources:

1. https://the-chicken-chick.com/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning/
2. http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/bumblefoot
3. 336237.pdf (ucanr.edu)