I received directions from a avian licensed professional for my pet duck and I am currently treating her right now. You will need oral antibiotics and DMSO watered down solution (1 part DMSO to 9 parts water). You will also need cotton balls, gauze, vet wrap (cut into long 1/2" wide strips), q-tips, syringe for oral antibiotics, hydrogen peroxide, epson salt, waterproof medical tape, scissors, and a bath towel to wrap the bird during treatment. To make things easier for myself, I put all my supplies in a small sterlite container for easy access.
Before initial treatment, soak the foot in epson salt to sanitize the area. Dry the foot with a paper towel. If the bumblefoot has a scab (usually black in color), you can remove it with your fingernails. DO NOT CUT is what I was told. You can remove any puss if it is visible but do not dig any out. Apply oral antibiotics to the entire area of the foot (using a syringe filled with the dose they would receive orally). You can cup the foot to make sure none of it runs off. Next, take a q-tip and dip it in the DMSO solution and apply over the antibiotics. The DMSO solution will make the antibiotics soak through the skin and then into the blood stream. Make sure DMSO dries completely then wrap the foot (process described below). I have already seen a difference since I started treating her yesterday.
The hardest part about this whole process, is getting the bird to stay still while you try to treat them. The more you can have at your fingertips, the better. I found having 2 pieces of pre cut tape and sticking it on the wall above where I am working, speeds up the process (especially if you are doing it yourself).
I was told to repeat this treatment once a day. If there is not much improvement, treat twice a day. My duck has an inoperable hernia and must bathe daily to help process her digestive tract. I start her day with a bath (keeping the bandage on). I then drain the tub and take off the bandage (once empty and tub is rinsed) and then fill it back up with the Epson salt (just high enough to cover the foot). I then repeat the process and wrap the foot with fresh bandaging and put her in her cage to dry. It is important to keep the duck dry and the area clean. I always dress mine in a duck diaper harness and pad once she has finished drying from her bath.
A final note on bandaging...
I looked on the internet and searched everywhere for the process of properly wrapping her foot. Most of what I found was info on chickens. I did find a couple of websites on geese showing the complete wrapped foot but did not show the process. I tried a few methods and this worked best for me...
1. Fold the gauze over to make and elongated shape that will go across the width of the foot and hold flat in place.
2. Wrap 1 long vet wrap strip around the foot (pressing the foot flat to make it span the entire width). Continue wrapping up going around the talon (do not cover it as they need for balance) and around the ankle and part of the leg.
3. Wrap medical tape around the foot (staying close to where the vet wrap starts) and leg (close to where the vet wrap ends) to keep the wrap in place (make sure the foot stays flattened while this is done so the tape isn't too tight).
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