2% Lidocaine for bumblefoot surgery

[azygous]

Can someone tell me how to safely administer 2% Lidocaine to prep for bumblefoot surgery?

I've done the surgery lots of times, but I've never used a pain blocker. Someone gave me several of vials of Lidocaine. I have the hypodermic needles.

 

[Kiki]

I wonder if @casportpony knows?

 

[Leihamarie]

I know this post was a while ago, but lidocaine shouldn't be used on chickens, or any birds really. There is a toxic response and can be immediately disastrous or fatal. There's an article that says no more than 4mg/kg but I wouldn't risk it on my birds. http://www.vetfolio.com/veterinary-practice-issues/controlling-avian-pain

 

[azygous]

Thanks. I am aware it is toxic to chickens, but some avian vets use it and I've seen it mentioned on some threads in conjunction with bumblefoot surgery. But I can't locate those threads.

I performed the surgery without using the Lidocaine, choosing not to take the risk. My patient didn't even flinch.

 

[Leihamarie]

I figured you did know. I've seen your posts before and you know your stuff. How many bumblefoot surgeries have you performed and what protocols do you follow? I have my first bumblefoot case as of last night and I'm terribly nervous about A) hurting my hen but even more so B ) not getting all the infection out and having it progress. The good news is that I've caught it at what seems the fairly mild stage. One callous has no opening under it, just a smooth pink crater but the other has an abscess under it. I dug around gently with sterilized tweezers but nothing hard or kernel-like would come out. I plan on going back in today with a curette and seeing what I can scoop out. Can you share your successful procedure process with me???

 

[azygous]

Lots. I don't know how many. Most have been on one hen that I adopted after her entire flock was killed by a predator. She has the most stubborn case of bumblefoot on both feet I've ever encountered. I'm still operating on her after a year and a half.

Most of my bumblefoot patients have had mild case as you describe your hen may have. I first soak the patient's feet in very warm, just this side of hot, water with Epsom salt and Betadine for 30 minutes prior to surgery.

Then I wrap her in an Ace bandage to immobilize her wings, and I start pulling the scab and infected matter out of the foot. Try to get as much as you possibly can.

Then I spray with Vetericyn, dab some antibiotic ointment on it, lay a Telfa pad, cut to fit, on it and bandage with Vet wrap. If you do a good wrap, no dirt should get into the wound and it's not necessary to confine the patient.

With light cases, I check the wound in two days, and if it's well sealed up, I spray a final time with Vetericyn and that's it, except to check in a few more days to make sure the infection hasn't sneaked back.

Serious cases get checked each day from surgery forward, with a soak at least every other day. I have another patient that had a lot of swelling adjacent to the original wound, so she's been on an antibiotic and is responding well.

Light cases heal within days. Serious cases can take a month or more.

 

[Kiki]

I found four threads that mention Lidocaine and bumble foot.

#3

#7

Bumblefoot surgery Update - RIP Duckie

Help - bumblefoot

 

[azygous]

Thanks! I'll give them a look.

 

[Kiki]

May not be what you were looking for but I had to give it a try. lol

 

[lcheshire]

Can someone tell me how to safely administer 2% Lidocaine to prep for bumblefoot surgery?

I've done the surgery lots of times, but I've never used a pain blocker. Someone gave me several of vials of Lidocaine. I have the hypodermic needles.

Curious if you used lidocaine 2% local freezing to help when dealing with bumblefoot? If do, how much can I safely inject for a 5-6 lbs chicken?