Bumblefoot - I am at a loss

[Henrik Petersson]

Hi there! In your case the bumble foot seems to be caused by a combination of things. The cause of bumble foot is an infection of an open cut or scratch on the ducks' feet. The sharp gravel could have created these small scratches (even if it was only for a small period of time), or possibly the planks could have created a splinter, and then the walking around in the enclosed pen for a while could have introduced the infecting bacteria. If you have the ability to grab a duck for a second or two, I would recommend spraying their feet quickly with Manna Pro Theracyn Wound & Skin Care Spray, this is super quick and doesn't require cutting off the scabs (in fact I would only do this as a last ditch effort in your case because it is quite time consuming). If you get more ducks or want to work on prevention of bumble foot, I suggest having a swimming area (I use a couple kiddie pools) that is always available and always clean so that they can clean their own feet before bumble foot takes root. Another thing to look out for is the removal of anything that could hurt their feet in their pen. I hope this helps and good luck!

Hello!

I have a spray with the same active ingredient now. I think our drake has bumblefoot, because the middle joint on his right foot looks swollen (I haven't looked underneath).

How often do I need to spray? If once a week is enough, I can start doing it right away. If I have to spray once a day, I'm thinking of taking time off in the summer to treat him.

As I've explained before, my parents, who own the ducks, refuse to treat them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd read this and treat accordingly.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-new-ideas-on-treatment-with-pictures.807777/
if you wait till summer he maybe too far gone if he is still living, bumble is staff and if it spreads into the bone or blood it's too late.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

I'd read this and treat accordingly.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-new-ideas-on-treatment-with-pictures.807777/
if you wait till summer he maybe too far gone if he is still living, bumble is staff and if it spreads into the bone or blood it's too late.

That goes against what Billiegoat6114 said, and there are even differing opinions in the thread.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Where is Billiegoat6114's post in this link I gave you or somewhere else?

All I can say is I have done the soaking and clear iodine and it works but it's always up to the individual how they treat or not treat.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

Where is Billiegoat6114's post in this link I gave you or somewhere else?

All I can say is I have done the soaking and clear iodine and it works but it's always up to the individual how they treat or not treat.

He wrote, in this thread, that spraying it with Theracyn is enough and better than surgery which should be used as a last resort.

Did you just do soaking + iodine? Because the lady in the first post did surgery, didn't she?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes she did, I haven't had to cut I just soak and use the iodine until I can gently pull off the scab with my finger nail usually the bumble has come out with the scab, Mine so far hasn't gotten too far along since I watch for any kind of limp and check feet first..

 

[Henrik Petersson]

Okay, but now I've bought the spray for 30 bucks and would like to try that first.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

Look, I don't mean to be a jerk, but it's a bit frustrating when 10 people people tell me to do 10 different things, while I most of the time dont' have access to the ducks, and I know that the duck will be insanely stressed from any trestment I do, AND I know that my parents will try to talk me out of whatever I do.

 

[CayugaJana]

Henrik,
I think you are misunderstanding what Miss Lydia is saying. She is showing you an example of what has worked in the past. Her treat accordingly meant, pick treatment based on the severity of the bumble since we can’t really see his feet but you can. The chemical you choose to put on his feet isn’t really the most important factor. So the 30 dollar spray will probably work just fine as long as you remove the infected tissue if it’s pretty involved.

I can’t remember, what kind of options do you have for changing their ground cover? Chickens really made a good point about adding sand. But don’t know how doable that is for you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I understand just pick which treatment works for you and hopefully it will work for the duck. Only thing is if you spray and because the bumble is thick not thin pus you may not penetrate into the infection with just spray alone. But go that route first and give it a week to see if any thing changes.

I am sorry your parents won't support you on taking care of their ducks, that is frustrating I am sure.
Some things just don't take care of themselves though and bumble is one of them.

I am sorry didn't mean to frustrate you just sharing what worked for me here on my homestead.