Bumblefoot in Cayuga Duck

[Niche Flock]

Aside from a duckling with a fractured leg, one of my older ducks suddenly began limping pretty bad. I thought she may have been slightly lame die to the excitement of flock integration, but it was really bad looking so I picked her up for closer inspection. It looks like Bumblefoot to me, but her left toe on her left foot has a large round bulbous wound on it...not sure if it is an infection or a broken toe that is so badly swollen. I can't really feel much aside from the bump though. I have been soaking her in Epsom salts for 30 -40 min daily for 4 days now and wrapping her foot with antibiotic ointment. She's kept seperate driving the day so she doesn't get her foot dirty or wet. I've included some photos, if anyone knows exactly what it is that would be helpful thank you!

 

[Isaac 0]

Could you get another photo of the bottom of her affected foot?

Contrary to popular belief, Bumblefoot can occur without a "laceration, core, or any opening" . When there is no core is can be referred to as Podermatsisis which is technically just the swelling of the dermal structures of the skin.

Treatment of mild cases of Podermatsisis usually includes protective bandaging with a triple antibiotic underneath and an administration of both an NSAID, and antibiotics.

 

[Niche Flock]

Will do! I will take another photo tomorrow before and after her daily soak!

 

[Niche Flock]

The above photo is from a couple of days ago. The open wound seems to be getting more open if that makes any sense. The back scab completely came off yesterday and the skin underneath is healthy and normal colored. I was sorta grossed out when I was wrapping my ducks foot up after her daily soak yesterday and the one scab fell off. Wasn't really expecting it so soon, but was happy one came off and the skin under looks healthy. Now I'm just concerned with the actual wounded one that seems less swollen, but that it is "opening" up more each day. Still continuing with daily Epsom salt soaks and triple antibiotics, gauze, and wrap to keep it dry. I keep her in a dry own night and day and she limps around pretty well.

 

[Niche Flock]

*GRAPHIC* Finally removed the plug, no surgery. Soaking + wrapping brought the wound to a head, and eventually this super gross plug was visible and removable. I'm going to keep up with the soakings for a bit to keep her foot clean and the skin flushed then just keep it dry and wrapped so it will eventually heal. Keeping an eye out for possible infection, she now has a pretty prominent wound where this plug came out.
Process I use when wrapping foot:
*Soak
*Use wound wash to remove any extra debris & to flush
*Ointment on gauze applied directly to wound
*Prewrap wrapped around foot to keep gauze in place
*I take a piece of vet wrap about 8" long and make a cut down the middle, lengthwise almost to the end. I use the two flaps of this vet wrap to secure the prewrap and gauze onto her foot. One flap I wrap around the webbed foot, the other flap of the vet wrap I angle slightly down her leg more so that I can wrap it around her leg, this keeps the entire vet wrap secure without it flipping off.
*Then I take two pieces of Scotch "duck" tape (the scotch brand isn't as tacky as the name brand Duck tape, this is good because I don't want anything too sticky or difficult to work with) and wrap one around the foot and one around the leg, this secures all the wrapping and makes for a bit more waterproofing.

Now I just need time and to wait for her foot to heal. It's been difficult keeping her from the other ducks, especially during the day. She enjoys being outside with them but it's getting more and more difficult to keep her foot clean. Now with the open wound, I'm going to keep her seperate and dry which she won't enjoy much. But I'm hoping that in a week I see progress on healing and an improvement in her lameness.
Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!!

 

[Isaac 0]

How is your duck doing?

 

[Niche Flock]

How is your duck doing?

Wonderful! She recovered completely and is back to living her life normally. That infection was the ABSOLUTE WORST bumblefoot I have ever encountered, so I feel like I now have a scale of severity, what to look for and how to take of it. Prevention is always the best route, but catching it early is important too!! Keeping an eye on her and the other ladies. If I see a limo I immediately check their feet.

 

[Isaac 0]

Thanks for the update, glad to hear she is doing better. @Niche Flock