Bumblefoot, again

[bhawk-23]

Hello,
I have a hen who had bumblefoot before. I decided to start a new thread for simplicity.

We really struggled last time so I just called the vet right away to pick up the topical foot med he gave us last time. I am not able to see him in person as he is on vacation for a week. I am attaching pictures for advice on adding an oral antibiotic again or if I caught it early enough.
Thank you!

Left foot: This is the one we really struggled with before.

Right foot:

 

[alinas2010]

Sorry about the bumblefoot. Did your chicken have to have antibiotics last time? And if so did you feel it helped?

I’ve heard mixed things about how effective they are unless it’s a very severe case. Just going by the pics I think I’d try to treat that one without antibiotics first, just because I know what a pain they can be to give and then the effects they can have on the crop. But you know your chicken better and know if it’s warranted a bit better than I would. The benefits may outweigh the risks in her case.

In the past was the bumblefoot just very stubborn to get to go away? Do you know why she might be getting it again? Also how are you treating the bumblefoot?

 

[Bawkbok]

We treated a hen with double bumble foot that took 9 weeks so it was a slow process but worked. Your chicken's bumblefoot resembles what we dealt with. Here is what we did:
1. Soaked her feet in warm epsom salts for 10 minutes, then tried to gently scrape off any scabby part.
2. Applied Neosporin or triple antibiotic.
3. Applied a small non stick gauze pad and wrapped her feet with vetwrap - you can find this at Tractor Supply. We then took a small strip of electrical tap and wrapped that around the vet wrap to help keep it secured. BE CAREFUL NOT TO WRAP TOO TIGHTLY.
4. Put her on the floor to ensure she could stand / walk unimpeded.

We went through the same process every other day. It's important to keep the foot clean. We never gave her anything for pain as she was foraging as normal and didn't act like she was in pain, but you can give one baby aspirin if you think she needs it.

 

[Bawkbok]

Oops I missed something. We sprayed the gauze pad with Vetrycin spray to ensure the bumble stayed moist. This was after applying triple antibiotic (without pain med) on her feet.

 

[bhawk-23]

Sorry about the bumblefoot. Did your chicken have to have antibiotics last time? And if so did you feel it helped?

After a month of unsuccessful treatments we had to hit it hard at that point. Yes, between the oral antibiotics local antibiotic mix on the foot pad things cleared up quickly.
I already started the local antibiotic mix on the pads. It is not getting any worse at this point.

I’ve heard mixed things about how effective they are unless it’s a very severe case. Just going by the pics I think I’d try to treat that one without antibiotics first, just because I know what a pain they can be to give and then the effects they can have on the crop. But you know your chicken better and know if it’s warranted a bit better than I would. The benefits may outweigh the risks in her case.

In the past was the bumblefoot just very stubborn to get to go away? Do you know why she might be getting it again? Also how are you treating the bumblefoot?

Yes, it was quite stubborn. I have no idea why or how she gets it. I’ve had 25 chickens over the last nearly 4.5 years and she is my only hen to get it, now twice. I’m not comfortable taking out the kernel. I will bring her to the vet when he is back if it gets to that point.

Thank you!

 

[bhawk-23]

We treated a hen with double bumble foot that took 9 weeks so it was a slow process but worked. Your chicken's bumblefoot resembles what we dealt with. Here is what we did:
1. Soaked her feet in warm epsom salts for 10 minutes, then tried to gently scrape off any scabby part.
2. Applied Neosporin or triple antibiotic.
3. Applied a small non stick gauze pad and wrapped her feet with vetwrap - you can find this at Tractor Supply. We then took a small strip of electrical tap and wrapped that around the vet wrap to help keep it secured. BE CAREFUL NOT TO WRAP TOO TIGHTLY.
4. Put her on the floor to ensure she could stand / walk unimpeded.

We went through the same process every other day. It's important to keep the foot clean. We never gave her anything for pain as she was foraging as normal and didn't act like she was in pain, but you can give one baby aspirin if you think she needs it.

Thank you for telling me your process. I wonder how they get two bumbles like that?
I am soaking her but have yet to get the scab removed. I’ll keep working on it.
The electrical tape is a good idea!
And thanks for the info on a baby aspirin. I did not know they could take one for pain. I don’t think she needs it, but really good to know.

 

[bhawk-23]

Update:

Attaching a picture. I think I am seeing healthy tissue under the removed bumble scab. The other didn’t want to release as easily so I will try again tonight. Last time I used this med from the vet it healed from the inside. I am thinking it is doing that again. Thoughts?

Also, the second picture is of a spot that has formed. It does not appear to be a bumble forming, can it be from the wrapping?

Thanks!

 

[Bawkbok]

That looks like healthy skin. I would put triple antibiotic on it (no pain relief) and keep it wrapped so dirt doesn't get in. Maybe spray some Vetrycin spray on it. I would keep soaking and repeating.
The second photo could be some vet wrap irritation. i noticed the same thing on our girl's foot top side while treating and readjusted the wrapping. I applied the ointment and it cleared up in a day.
You're making progress.