Bumblefoot – is this a good treatment plan?

[coach723]

Soaking is really up to you, and whether it's helping or not. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. It can be time consuming. If you feel a hard lump, then it's probably regenerating. Soaking can help with pain and swelling, and can soften the scab for removal. Sometimes rather than soak I will apply decolorized iodine (not the same a povidone iodine- usually in the first aid section of your human pharmacy) and wrap the foot overnight and that will soften it up as well. I have found the sugardine to help when it's continuing to regenerate. In that case I clean it out daily and pack with the sugardine, and see a gradual decrease in regeneration, until it finally stops. Some of them can be really, really stubborn, and if even the tiniest amount remains in there, it keeps coming back. For really bad ones I use a small curette like the one pictured below. Like a tiny spoon, but not real sharp edges. Helps remove that stuff that sticks to the healthy tissue. I got mine on amazon.

 

[kryp]

Soaking is really up to you, and whether it's helping or not. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. It can be time consuming. If you feel a hard lump, then it's probably regenerating. Soaking can help with pain and swelling, and can soften the scab for removal. Sometimes rather than soak I will apply decolorized iodine (not the same a povidone iodine- usually in the first aid section of your human pharmacy) and wrap the foot overnight and that will soften it up as well. I have found the sugardine to help when it's continuing to regenerate. In that case I clean it out daily and pack with the sugardine, and see a gradual decrease in regeneration, until it finally stops. Some of them can be really, really stubborn, and if even the tiniest amount remains in there, it keeps coming back. For really bad ones I use a small curette like the one pictured below. Like a tiny spoon, but not real sharp edges. Helps remove that stuff that sticks to the healthy tissue. I got mine on amazon.
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That's so weird! I literally just ordered curette from Amazon after writing my last post!

I was watching this video on bumblefoot and thought I'd give a curette a try next time since it seemed to work quite well at digging out some of the infection that's deeper in the tissue,

When going in from the top of her foot, apart from some bleeding is there anything I need to be careful about? It feels so wrong putting stuff inside her foot, and I think last time I may have been overly cautious. The video I shared looked quite rough so maybe I don't need to be as careful as I think?

But thanks again. I think I'll give removing it one last try myself in a few days then might need to consider taking her to the vet.

 

[coach723]

I hadn't seen that video before, it's a good one.
There are tendons and ligaments in the toes that connect bone to muscle. If you pull on one it will make the toes flex or straighten. As long as you are reasonably careful, and are not digging right up against the bones, you should be ok. When coming from the top, between toes like that, it's less likely to be an issue. I always tell people to just take your time, take a break and breathe if needed, shake your arms, relax. You can also give the bird a break if they seem stressed. And try to have everything on hand that you even MIGHT need, less stress than trying to look for something you forgot, in the middle of it (ask me how I know THAT! ).

 

[RubelliteRose]

I don't always soak in epsom salt either. It is helpful if I need to remove a tough scab, but if you are wrapping and using the spray/ointment daily then a daily soak isn't really necessary.
That is a very good video, I hadn't seen it either. I will also need to look into a curette, so thanks both of you for the suggestion.