Bumble foot

[kreagerm]

Just need your opinion on bumble foot. I performed the recommended surgery, but didn't get any infection out of the pad area from behind the scab. So I made the incisions between the toes where most of the swelling was and got out a ton of infected material. My question about about the pad area. Is it normal not to get anything out of the pad area? After looking close it just looks like pad under the skin but nothing looked infected. Tomorrow I plan to change the dressing and assess everything. On a good note I flushed the incisions and fluid went out of all incision sites, which is a good thing.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[StephieSky]

I have a bird who had only one tiny external display of "bumble foot" on her back toe. It was just a tiny dried up scab with a slightly swollen toe and some thickened and hardened skin over it. Removed by my vet. Her blood was drawn, a fecal sample taken. She came back with having a staph infection that had gone systemic.
Weird huh? Apparently if left untreated over a long period of time the external presentation can actually reduce while the internal infection spreads causing the bird to become dehydrated and malnourished as they decline and refuse to eat or drink properly.

So long as you get everything you see, flush the wound site with an antiseptic and pack it with a good antibiotic salve you got in there in time I'd think. If she starts to drop weight and her comb/face becomes bright bright red that might be a sign of fever and further infection. But it sounds to me like you're doing everything you should and most likely got it all.

 

[seminolewind]

I have one hen who does that all the time. At one point I got a clump out of the sole and another between the toes. The important thing is to get it all out. You may want to soak her foot in epsom salts to see if that would draw out any leftover bacteria.

 

[kreagerm]

Thanks for all the great advice. Today I gave it a good cleansing with salt water and over all the swelling is a lot better since before the surgery. I'll keep you posted as I progress through this experience.

 

[seminolewind]

Sounds like you're doing all the right things!