Bumble foot

[Rosdez31]

Hey guys my turkey has bumble foot. Antibiotics aren't helping and I can't seem to find a vet to operate. I have called 2 exotic vets that seem willing to see her but are hours away and can't tell me that they have a bird specialist, or say they are willing to perform surgery I live in port Townsend washington. Does anyone have a good bird vet or advice in what to ask. Exotic vet could mean a chinchilla expert and driving her 2 hours away to see someone who doesn't know birds seems needlessly stressful on her. She is too big to do the surgery without sedation. Any advice please

 

[Rosdez31]

Here's a photo

 

[Ebony Rose]

Soak her feet in a hot water bath, it's the right temperature when you can put your hand and wrist into the water, swish it around a bit and not get burnt. Epsom salt in the water is a plus. Let her soak there for 15 to 20 minutes, do not allow her to drink the water as it is a laxative and will give her the 'squirts'. When you get her out of her bath, briskly rub her feet with an old terry cloth rag, top and bottom starting at the leg and rubbing downward towards her toes (one direction, not back and forth). You are hoping to get a good view of the trouble spot and soften the skin, and with a stroke of luck manage to pop the bumblefoot scab off of the wound without cutting; perhaps a firm yet gentle squeeze, like you'd do for a blackhead to encourage the cheesy-plug-like pus ball to pop out. You can do this daily for a few days while you search for an AVIAN veterinarian (bird specialist). If you're really lucky, you can get it to simply pop open, and will then be able to squeeze out the infection. Bird pus is not runny like human pus. It is thick, cheesy, doughy. Once opened, either by the above outlined method or a quick slit across the inflamed pocket, it's a very straightforward, quick and easy 'operation'. Be advised that sedating birds is extremely risky, and if the vet says you shouldn't do it, then don't do it. The pain in that foot is worse than the surgery, so just getting that spot opened and drained is going to feel MUCH better. You can give her a baby aspirin once the bleeding has stopped for pain.

 

[Rosdez31]

I can't make the image of her foot attach sorry but it bad

 

[Ebony Rose]

Typically a 'bad' bumblefoot infection is the easiest to get opened and drained. If it's got a scab already, then you're halfway home to fixing it with a few good daily soaks and a rough rag scrub; once opened sqeeze out all the goop inside, pack it with triple antibiotic ointment (vaseline type stuff, the type without pain relievers), and make her a bootie with sports tape (sticks to itself great, but won't stick to her skin or rip her skin when you change her dressing). If you do it at home, you can wrap her in an old towel to help you pin her wings to her body so you don't get flapped, and then tuck her head first (wrapped in the towel) between your non-dominant arm and body so that you can do the work with your strong hand.

 

[Rosdez31]

Thank you so much I have been doing epsom salt soaks for a week and a half now and giving her molaxicam for pain. She is big and hard to hold still, so I'm worried about restraining her while I cut her foot. She has given me black eyes just putting her to bed

 

[Ebony Rose]

That towel trick might be the ticket

 

[Rosdez31]

I think your on to something Ill see if I can get assistance

 

[Ebony Rose]

Any news?

 

[Rosdez31]

I considered doing things myself far enough to order surgical scalpels. Then took her to the er 700 later her x-rays look good they put her on an antibiotic and we are waiting for a culture. The travel was very stressful for her and she had a bad trip on the seditives they gave her. The doc says we can consider surgery after the infection is gone but we may not need it. Thanks for checking