Bumblefoot can't cure!

[kittydoc]

@welasharon The withdrawal time for oral clindamycin should probably be considered the same as for injectable. It is a short-acting antibiotic that has to be given 1-2 times daily (depending on the species, method (oral/injection), and dosage).

 

[Davidhalpern2]

I am not sure that clindamycin is technically approved for use in poultry (it probably isn't), but when you are talking about a bird with pet features (as the original poster described) that you want to save and make well, not a bird whose eggs or meat are for commercial sale, then "unapproved" or "off label" (for that species) medications can be used.  I do not know how long the withdrawal period is for clindamycin in chickens, for either eggs or meat.  I am not a poultry or avian veterinarian--I just know that the usual injectable stuff that's out there without a prescription (like Tylan) probably wouldn't work for bumblefoot, and since Pen G wasn't effective, you needed something different.  If your vet ordered the clindamycin injectable for you, it's up to him/her to inform you about what the withdrawal period might be.  When in doubt, two weeks is a good general guideline.  However, it looks like there was a post made while I was working on this one that ways 28 days for meat, 7 for eggs.  Good to know!

I have never used an injectable form of clindamycin in treating small animals (oral only), so I'm not sure what it will do in terms of stinging/smarting and/or damaging the breast muscle, at least temporarily.  In humans, it does cause injection site pain in our muscles, so I expect it will do so in chickens, too.

The problem with giving oral medication to chickens is that you really have to use a tube to do it 100% safely, and tubing a chicken is not for the faint-hearted.  Once you learn how to do it, and have a competent helper, it's not that difficult, but if you screw up placing the esophageal/crop tube, the substance will go right into the respiratory system and can cause chemical pneumonia or worse.

If chickens weren't such a pain to medicate orally, we'd have more options.  Giving small amounts of liquid medication can work OK, but it is still subject to being inhaled. It depends on the skill of the owner, the taste of the stuff to the chicken, and the cooperation of the chicken in question.

Here is a link to a chart about many of the most commonly used poultry medications.  I am not endorsing this page in a professional capacity, but it seems to be pretty good.

https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/medicine-chart

Lincomycin, which is related to clindamycin (both are macrolides, same general class), IS on this chart, but it still doesn't provide withdrawal period information.  It says that lincomycin injectable can be given orally, but I don't know about clindamycin injectable.  As another participant said, there is already a form of liquid clindamycin on the market for veterinary use.  It tastes absolutely terrible to people (nasty metallic taste), but chickens don't have the same taste receptors that we do, so I have no idea if it will taste as bad to them as it does to mammals (us, dogs, cats).

I will say that if a penicillin or amoxicillin isn't helping with bumblefoot generally, lincomycin is probably the next thing to try for chickens, since it's on this list.  Baytril (enrofloxacin) is also on the list, but with some serious warnings.

What an individual decides to do for his or her birds, and its withdrawal period, is for the owner to check with their own veterinarian who supplies any "off label" medication, such as clindamycin appears to be for chickens.  I offer my opinions to help on the list, but I am not an pet bird or poultry specialist.  I'm a a small veterinarian who is also a backyard flock owner.  That's it.

Thank you for the EXCELKENT reply/information

 

[welasharon]

@welasharon The withdrawal time for oral clindamycin should probably be considered the same as for injectable. It is a short-acting antibiotic that has to be given 1-2 times daily (depending on the species, method (oral/injection), and dosage).

Thanks! I have had good success with grabbing the wattles under the chin and using my index finger of the same hand to push the upper beak up and then I can dribble a little in. I let go and wait till they swallow. Repeat till all is gone. SLOW process but it is the easiest I've found. I am not comfortable with my ability to tube one! Neither of the hens I am dosing right now are laying any way but for future reference that's good to know.

 

[kittydoc]

That's a pretty good trick! I agree--the key is to GO SLOW and be sure they've swallowed.

 

[welasharon]

Yes sometimes I have to stroke their throat to remind them to swallow. I would freak if I strangled a chicken....I'd have no clue what to do to help! Can't exactly yank their arm up or beat them on the back!

 

[kittydoc]

The thing to do, if you think something went down the wrong way giving something orally, would be to turn them upside down, let them relax, then gently swing them around in a circle around your body a time or two. Not guaranteed, but could work. It works sometimes in dogs/cats.

 

[chicksmom30]

I had 3 chickens with bumble foot ...I did not do any surgeries on them and did get it cleared up . It will take a long time but is worth it especially if you care about your bird as you say you are attached to her.
I used tricide neo now I read that you used it also BUT... mine took about a month and a half to cure completely if you would like to know exactly what I di including wrapping etc I will be glad to share with you. Let me know

 

[gfarnese]

My favorite hen has had bumblefoot for close to 3 1/2 months. I've tried everything. The infection is isolated to one toe. I've removed more kernels and pus than I can keep count of. She is currently on the second round of penicillin intramuscular shots. The toe is extremely swollen. I've tried Epsom salt baths, iodine sugar poultice , magnesium sulfate salve, tricide neo soaks, etc.
I called the one avain vet in our town and he wants $190 to treat her, I can't afford that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm emotionally attached to this bird and want t heal her.

 

[norxgirl]

I had 3 chickens with bumble foot ...I did not do any surgeries on them and did get it cleared up . It will take a long time but is worth it especially if you care about your bird as you say you are attached to her.
I used tricide neo now I read that you used it also BUT... mine took about a month and a half to cure completely if you would like to know exactly what I di including wrapping etc I will be glad to share with you. Let me know

Hi Chicks mom....hope u r still around....hen with stubborn bumblefoot....isolated for over a week now....getting some better with ACV water offered and away from rest of flock....tried iodine/Epsom salt foot soaks, tried triple antibiotic ointment....22nd time for her...First time vet gave oral antibiotics regimen and orders for daily Epsom salt foot soaks....helped somewhat....cannot afford vet visits at this time....would like to know your regimen....thank you....