Bumble foot

[ZhannaP]

I am a caregiver and take care of 21 hens that belong to her. We have a hen that has a large bumble foot abscess on the very bottom of her foot and another smaller one on the other.

I have never treated this and I want to make sure I do the best I can for her. I read a couple articles and watched a video on how to wrap it after I’ve worked with it, but I still am not sure I’m doing it correctly.

Is it ever recommended to remove the abscess (I have a #10 scalpel) or do you only work to open through the scab w/tweezers and clean it and drain it from the top and let the swelling go down on its own?

Any suggestions or do’s and don’ts would be appreciated!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

I typically see less recommendations for surgical methods and more for non-surgical options (I think because we don't want to damage the healthy skin surrounding the bumble by cutting into it). Do you have pics of the feet/bumbles?

This article is a good one for non-surgical bumblefoot treatment:

https://www.tillysnest.com/2015/12/non-surgical-bumblefoot-treatment-html/

These are my go-to videos:

And this article here on BYC is what I use every time I need to wrap a foot:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-correctly-wrap-a-chickens-foot.77028/

 

[I burped]

I am a caregiver and take care of 21 hens that belong to her. We have a hen that has a large bumble foot abscess on the very bottom of her foot and another smaller one on the other.

I have never treated this and I want to make sure I do the best I can for her. I read a couple articles and watched a video on how to wrap it after I’ve worked with it, but I still am not sure I’m doing it correctly.

Is it ever recommended to remove the abscess (I have a #10 scalpel) or do you only work to open through the scab w/tweezers and clean it and drain it from the top and let the swelling go down on its own?

Any suggestions or do’s and don’ts would be appreciated!

Soak her in some warm water with epson salt for about 30mins a day this helps a lot. Here’s a video

 

[ZhannaP]

Thank you! I will definitely read these articles/watch videos. We went ahead yesterday with treatment as suggested by some other articles I read. I soaked it in Epson salt, then gently removed the scab and cleaned the area and tried to find a plug as best I could, it was bleeding a lot. Then sprayed it with the wound care spray, put non pain-relief antibiotic ointment on the gauze and wrapped it up based on a video I watched. I’m gonna be there today to check that hopefully the wrap has stayed on.

I read an article that you should keep taking the scab off until you see pink healthy skin filling in, is that correct?

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Thank you! I will definitely read these articles/watch videos. We went ahead yesterday with treatment as suggested by some other articles I read. I soaked it in Epson salt, then gently removed the scab and cleaned the area and tried to find a plug as best I could, it was bleeding a lot. Then sprayed it with the wound care spray, put non pain-relief antibiotic ointment on the gauze and wrapped it up based on a video I watched. I’m gonna be there today to check that hopefully the wrap has stayed on.

I read an article that you should keep taking the scab off until you see pink healthy skin filling in, is that correct?

If the bandage is still on, I would leave it for a couple of days, if possible. I usually check it every 2-3 days after wrapping.

In my experience, early stage cases take about a week after the infection is removed (removing the bandage, spraying with Vetericyn and applying ointment, then re-wrapping every 2-3 days). More severe, late-stage cases might take longer.

You could try a drawing salve, like Prid, to help draw the infection out. Once there is healthy skin growing in, you could leave the bandages off - just make sure to check the area periodically to ensure the bumble isn't coming back.

Stages of bumblefoot:

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello,
I had a hen name Vicky who had bumble foot, this is how I treated her. We went off of this article to treat her.
You will need a few things.
1. scalpel
2. dry paper towels
3. Vetricyn (you can find it at feed stores)
4. Junky bath towel
5. Epsom salt (I used the Dr. Teal's brand)
6. tweezers (may or may not be needed)
7. latex gloves
8. vetwrap

First we soaked her in a warm Epsom salt bath, this relaxed her and also softened her foot tissue to make it easier to do the procedure.
After she is in there for about 10-15 minutes, we sprayed some Vetricyn on her foot so that when we cut into her foot, the bacteria from the outside of her foot doesn't get in. Vetricyn is great to have on hand because it helps with all sorts of stuff.
Then you can wrap her in a towel so that she feels nice and calm, but in my case, Vicky did not want the towel on her and her face.

You can talk to the hen which makes them calmer. You need her to be very calm for this procedure because she can start slashing around and might get cut with the scalpel.

Once she is calm, spray the surgery site again. Put on latex gloves to prevent your hand germs from getting into her foot.

Cut around the scab with the scalpel. The objective is to find and pull out the "kernel" also called a core or plug, which is basically a little ball of dried pus that can appear as a little ball or stringy bits. It is yellow/whitish.

Usually the scab is attached to the kernel so you can pull it out with a paper towel or with tweezers. Make sure that all the things you use for this procedure are sanitary.
The foot is then sprayed with Vetricyn again.
Now, gently squeeze and massage the foot to loosen any dead tissue.
Dry the foot, apply more Vetricyn, and remove the rest of the effected tissue.
Remember that if it bleeds, blot it gently with a paper towel and carry on. It is not going to bleed to much so don't worry.
It is mentally hard on a lot of people to do this procedure, but just remember to talk to the bird and that will help a lot.
Now it's time to bandage up the chicken.
I don't know why I like this part It's just fun.
Apply more Vetricyn.
Then apply triple antibiotic. A piece of gauze is then placed over that and the four corners of the gauze are folded into the center to add more pressure. Holding the gauze in place, apply the vetwrap by wrapping it in between the toes, up the ankle, whatever you need to do to keep it in place.
Watch this video on how to apply the bandage.

After about 24 hrs, assess the wound and re-apply Vetricyn and the bandages.

I hope this helps.
Sorry about the long post

 

[ZhannaP]

If the bandage is still on, I would leave it for a couple of days, if possible. I usually check it every 2-3 days after wrapping.

In my experience, early stage cases take about a week after the infection is removed (removing the bandage, spraying with Vetericyn and applying ointment, then re-wrapping every 2-3 days). More severe, late-stage cases might take longer.

You could try a drawing salve, like Prid, to help draw the infection out. Once there is healthy skin growing in, you could leave the bandages off - just make sure to check the area periodically to ensure the bumble isn't coming back.

Stages of bumblefoot:
View attachment 3882205

Thank you! I have a feeling it’ll take a little while, it was a stage 5. I will do as you’ve suggested!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Thank you! I have a feeling it’ll take a little while, it was a stage 5. I will do as you’ve suggested!

Keep us updated! Get pics if you can - and be patient

I recently read a post here on BYC where one of our esteemed chicken health gurus (azygous) suggested Dawn Dish Soap for dissolving the the scab. I will definitely be trying it the next time I see bumblefoot in my flock! You can read that thread here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/27761604/

 

[WoDia]

@ZhannaP Be sure to wear latex/non-latex gloves while caring for the bumble. It’s a staph infection that can be transmitted to/and infect humans. Disinfect all tools before and after treatment. I hope she recovers well.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Be sure to wear latex/non-latex gloves while caring for the bumble. It’s a staph infection that can be transmitted to/and infect humans. Disinfect all tools before and after treatment. I hope she recovers well.

Yes to this!!!!

Definitely wear gloves and disinfect everything. I have seen people treating bumblefoot without gloves and it makes me want to cry.