bumble foot healing

[MargaChick]

Hi. I took my hen to the vet 3 weeks ago for bumblefoot. She recommended Epsom salt baths to lossen the scab. She did not recommended cut out the "kernel" I got the scab off a couple days ago but could not get any puss out. I was just squeezing because the vet said no cutting. My question should I go about soaking and wrapping with Neosporin or do I need to cut out the puss? She seems to be walking fine it's just the swelling has not gone away at all. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Tlmcq]

Cutting is last resort. Since scab came off continue Epsom salt soaks and wrapping. Sometimes the kernel actually comes out on inside of the scab. Bumblefoot can take awhile to totally heal up. Pics would be helpful to better determine if anything else is needed, but if vet says no cutting I would probably have to agree.

 

[theoldchick]

Sometimes you won't have puss if the injury is from repeatedly jumping and landing on hard surfaces. All you'll get is an enlarged pad on the foot with a scab. Now if there is a foreign body (woody splinter) you will eventually get puss, but that will take some time. If the hen is not limping you may continue your soaks for another week. Meanwhile evaluate your chicken area and see if you can provide a ramp for your hen to get to the ground. Make sure your roosts are clean and mite free.

Good luck! I hope she does well!

 

[MargaChick]

Cutting is last resort. Since scab came off continue Epsom salt soaks and wrapping. Sometimes the kernel actually comes out on inside of the scab. Bumblefoot can take awhile to totally heal up. Pics would be helpful to better determine if anything else is needed, but if vet says no cutting I would probably have to agree.

Thank you. It actually looks a lot better today. But still keeping an eye on it. I am a little worried because she is getting thin.

 

[MargaChick]

Sometimes you won't have puss if the injury is from repeatedly jumping and landing on hard surfaces. All you'll get is an enlarged pad on the foot with a scab. Now if there is a foreign body (woody splinter) you will eventually get puss, but that will take some time. If the hen is not limping you may continue your soaks for another week. Meanwhile evaluate your chicken area and see if you can provide a ramp for your hen to get to the ground. Make sure your roosts are clean and mite free.

Good luck! I hope she does well!

Thank you. Today it looked better. Not as swollen and no dark red scab. I actually thought about mites too because one morning last week I saw some blood on the roost. So I cleaned the coop, sprayed mite spray and dusted roost and coop with DE. She is getting thin so a little worried.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Thank you. Today it looked better. Not as swollen and no dark red scab. I actually thought about mites too because one morning last week I saw some blood on the roost. So I cleaned the coop, sprayed mite spray and dusted roost and coop with DE. She is getting thin so a little worried.

I'm concerned that she's losing weight. Can you put her on a scale and weigh her? Someone else recommended this in a different discussion; really good advice. Then you have a baseline to reference.

Does she show any other symptoms? How old is she? How are the other hens reacting toward her? Any change in their behavior?

Can you separate her from the flock and give her some mash (wet feed)? They love that, and perhaps it would encourage her to eat more. This would also give you the opportunity to observe her while eating. Maybe also give her a cooked egg. If she doesn't eat it or lightly pecks the egg, something could be suppressing her appetite.

 

[theoldchick]

Have the vet perform a fecal exam to see what parasites she has and prescribe treatment. Chickens lose weight for various reasons: parasites, organ failure, cancer, poor diet, various bacterial or viral infections.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have any photos of the foot?
How old is she?
I agree with the others, continue to soak and apply triple antibiotic ointment. If the swelling continues, then a call back to your vet over your concerns would be a good idea.

Do re-check her for lice/mites. If you found blood on the roosts - go into your coop after dark, take a white paper towel and rub the roosts to see if you get any smears of red, which would indicate mite problem (these little critters come out at night and feast).
You mentioned that you sprayed the coop with mite spray? What kind? Also did you treat the chickens or just the coop? If there is an external parasite problem, then treating the coop only won't give you the results you want - you need to treat your girls too

I agree with @theoldchick having a fecal sample tested is a good idea. This will help determine if the cause of weight loss is due to worms. There are so many things that can cause weight loss, sometimes you have to start eliminating possibilities.
See that she is eating/drinking well. Poultry vitamins added once a week for a little boost won't hurt either.