about to preform bumblefoot surgery---any tips befor doing so?

[Mutchi]

I'm glad you asked! Wounds, especially infected ones, can fester and become very severe in very little time. Leaving dressings on for more than 24 hours will cause moisture to seep in, which makes it a breeding ground for bacteria, especially taking into consideration how much bacteria chickens are exposed to on a regular basis. It also provides brief relief for the animal -- imagine wearing a soggy sock for 3 days!

Daily re-dressings make sure that you're checking the wound every day for any signs of the condition worsening, and it lowers the chance of infection setting into the wound or spreading.

Ok. I was wondering because I don't know if my mother would let daily cleaning . But now I have a reason to clean daily !

 

[Chicalina]

I'm glad you asked! Wounds, especially infected ones, can fester and become very severe in very little time. Leaving dressings on for more than 24 hours will cause moisture to seep in, which makes it a breeding ground for bacteria, especially taking into consideration how much bacteria chickens are exposed to on a regular basis. It also provides brief relief for the animal -- imagine wearing a soggy sock for 3 days!

Daily re-dressings make sure that you're checking the wound every day for any signs of the condition worsening, and it lowers the chance of infection setting into the wound or spreading.

Thanks for explaining. I would have thought a slow growing staph in poultry feet with antibiotic cream squeezed into the cavity would be different to say a deep flesh wound in a human leg post surgery, for example? But anyway, I am no expert, I just use my limited knowledge and try and apply it logically as best I can. Also methods that have worked for me in the past. Maybe I've just been lucky, or there are just different approaches!

Anyway, thanks for stepping in the other evening. The OP has had a lot of great support and advice here from you and others.

 

[ryneaeiel]

Thanks for explaining. I would have thought a slow growing staph in poultry feet with antibiotic cream squeezed into the cavity would be different to say a deep flesh wound in a human leg post surgery, for example? But anyway, I am no expert, I just use my limited knowledge and try and apply it logically as best I can. Also methods that have worked for me in the past. Maybe I've just been lucky, or there are just different approaches!

Anyway, thanks for stepping in the other evening. The OP has had a lot of great support and advice here from you and others.

Yeah, animals typically need daily dressings because they can't tell us if something feels weird in there, and it's not like we can tell them to not do animal things!

And of course! I like helping people (and animals!)

 

[Mutchi]

Ok we had changed the cast and put new dressings! Here a new pic of the wound!

 

[papajoesfarm]

You are doing the proper post-op on this and she should recover. But the next time you have a chicken with Bumblefoot, and for anyone else reading this, please order some Tricide Neo and follow the directions. I have used it on four different chickens over the past 4 years, and all have recovered, and recovered quickly, from Bumblefoot. It's an antibiotic that you mix in water, then your chicken gets a 10 minute footbath daily for several days. And the spot will clear up quickly.

I have a few posts here from 2017 on this treatment, and there are other members who have used this successfully. It's still fairly new, but can be found from several dealers, usually Koi and Goldfish companys, since it was developed for treatment of fin rot, which is the same bacteria infection that we deal with with Bumblefoot. The only drawback is that the solution cannot be kept in storage, since it breaks down quickly. You mix it, use it for the course of treatment, and then throw it out. But it beats trying to do surgery. And every chicken I have used this on quickly decides that a warm foot bath is pretty darned nice. They actually enjoy it.

 

[aart]

Ok we had changed the cast and put new dressings! Here a new pic of the wound!
View attachment 2693156

That looks good.
Keep doing what ever you are doing.

 

[Mutchi]

That looks good.
Keep doing what ever you are doing.

Ok!

 

[Chicalina]

Looks like it is healing up nicely

 

[Mutchi]

Looks like it is healing up nicely

I hope so

 

[Wyorp Rock]

For your hen, yes. I would change the dressing every day. Have your Mom take a look at it as well.

I don't want to confuse the OP, but I was advised to change only every 3 days assuming the wound and dressing are nicely wrapped and kept clean. That's why I cover the vetwrap with a duct tape boot.If I couldn't keep it clean then I'd do it daily.
What is your thinking behind a daily clean and redressing?

Every thread, "case" and OP is different.

Thinking and reasoning behind changing the dressing daily is OP is having a difficult time keeping the dressing on. They are a minor (or I assume they are from previous posts and mentioning of parent assistance). And trying to keep things simple so it's not confusing to them. For the OP it is best practice to change the dressing and/or clean the wound daily so it's monitored and if any issues arise, they can address instead of finding out there's a problem 3 days later.

Not all instructions or treatments are one size fits all - just about every post I make is geared to assist the OP and their particular situation. Readers can garner info and either apply it to their situation or dismiss it.
In your situation, every 3 days may be suitable - it's dependent on your skills, knowledge, the wound, etc. etc.
I too have changed dressings every 3 days with no issues. Some I address every day - one size does not fit all.



Thank you for bringing up Tricide-Neo! It does work very well, it is a great option for treating Bumblefoot. There are a few good nonsurgical methods for treating Bumblefoot and this is well worth looking into. Threads dating back to 2011 give instructions for using it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/treating-bumblefoot-with-tricide-neo.513183/post-6526194
And in case you can't find the thread you made @papajoesfarm here it is!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-vet-treatment-cost.1189722/

You are doing the proper post-op on this and she should recover. But the next time you have a chicken with Bumblefoot, and for anyone else reading this, please order some Tricide Neo and follow the directions. I have used it on four different chickens over the past 4 years, and all have recovered, and recovered quickly, from Bumblefoot. It's an antibiotic that you mix in water, then your chicken gets a 10 minute footbath daily for several days. And the spot will clear up quickly.

I have a few posts here from 2017 on this treatment, and there are other members who have used this successfully. It's still fairly new, but can be found from several dealers, usually Koi and Goldfish companys, since it was developed for treatment of fin rot, which is the same bacteria infection that we deal with with Bumblefoot. The only drawback is that the solution cannot be kept in storage, since it breaks down quickly. You mix it, use it for the course of treatment, and then throw it out. But it beats trying to do surgery. And every chicken I have used this on quickly decides that a warm foot bath is pretty darned nice. They actually enjoy it.