Bumblefoot on TOP of foot...Prids?

[MemeA]

Hi! I've been treating a limping hen for bumblefoot on the bottom of her foot...got a core about the size of a pea and it's healing nicely. However, she is still limping and over the past few days I've noticed two lumps on the top of her foot. I'm bandaging the bottom of her foot while *that* bumblefoot surgery continues to heal, taking care to not cover up the bumps (thinking to not put pressure on them). Last night and tonight a rubbed a little Prids on the bumps, which are, unfortunately, growing in size. Am looking for advice on how many days to continue to use the Prids, if I should be covering it up, if I should be applying it morning and night instead of just at night, and if I can do surgery on *top* of a foot similar to what I do on the bottom of the foot. Thanks!!!

 

[staceyj]

Following this.

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

Are her legs very scaley right now? I have heard of leg mites, and they dig into the chicken's skin and cause bumps on joint areas or toes. The legs get very hard and crusty.

Just running through some possibilities, I will definitely research more and follow this thread until a trained professional comes!

For now, it wouldn't hurt to give her yogurt and a small dose of antibiotics. I'd put some gauze on it and wrap it up as well.

 

[MemeA]

Are her legs very scaley right now? I have heard of leg mites, and they dig into the chicken's skin and cause bumps on joint areas or toes. The legs get very hard and crusty.

Just running through some possibilities, I will definitely research more and follow this thread until a trained professional comes!

For now, it wouldn't hurt to give her yogurt and a small dose of antibiotics. I'd put some gauze on it and wrap it up as well.

Thanks--I hadn't thought of yogurt...I'm assuming plain. Do I mix it in with water? Or can I break a probiotics capsule into their feed? I was wondering about mixing neosporin with the Prids. Her legs look fine, thank goodness.

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

It seems to be bumblefoot. I'd never heard of bumblefoot on top, but I found a conversation here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/blisters-on-foot.72523/

That seems to be pretty much what happened here. I'd follow the same protocol as a normal bumblefoot. Melissa from Tilly's Nest has a great way to treat bumblefoot here: https://www.tillysnest.com/2015/12/non-surgical-bumblefoot-treatment-html/

We use that every time and it really works well, unless it is a deep infection, which in that case, require some surgery.

As I mentioned above, give her some antibiotics and yogurt. I have heard of people using Tricide Neo Powder, but I never used it and don't know much about it.

Hope this works! <3

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

That looks to be infected. I will tag some people who can help you. @azygous @Eggcessive

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

Thanks--I hadn't thought of yogurt...I'm assuming plain. Do I mix it in with water? Or can I break a probiotics capsule into their feed? I was wondering about mixing neosporin with the Prids. Her legs look fine, thank goodness.

Flavored yogurt contains yeast, so giving them that might increase the chance of sour crop. Plain, unflavored yogurt is very good for hens, no matter if they are sick or not, it keeps their immune systems up. Adding probiotics is also a great idea.

After the Epsom salt soak, I'd add the Neosporin before the salve. I'd put it right on the scab and then rub the Prids over. I'd cover it with gauze and then tape it up. When my chickens get bumblefoot, I do this daily.

 

[MemeA]

Flavored yogurt contains yeast, so giving them that might increase the chance of sour crop. Plain yogurt is very good for hens, no matter if they are sick or not.

I'd add the Neosporin before the salve. I'd put it right on the scab and then rub the Prids over.

I'll be in the coop bright and early with the neosporin and Prids...when they are contained in the coop is the only time this old gal can catch them

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

I'll be in the coop bright and early with the neosporin and Prids...when they are contained in the coop is the only time this old gal can catch them

Lol... I am still on the fence if she needs to be separated or not. If the bumblefoot is wrapped and cleaned, she could definitely stay with the rest. Introducing them back is always harder. At the same time, all of the bumblefoot I have seen with mine at less infected. I guess it just depends on how she is tomorrow.

Good night!

 

[azygous]

I think we're all in agreement that it's indeed bumblefoot. Staph infections can get out of hand when not treated right away. What you see is pus. Pus in chicken wounds is hard and waxy.

Yes, it's advisable to cut into the pus and scrape out as much as you can down to normal tissue. I would soak in Epsom salt before surgery, and a fresh soak following surgery with some Betadine or Oxine added as a disinfectant.

Pack the wound with an antibiotic ointment and cover with a gauze square or non-stick pad, then wrap the entire foot well with vet wrap (elastic bandage they use for horses and dogs and cats) If you do a good job of bandaging, your patient may remain with her flock. I check the wound after two days and soak again and re-bandage. Bad cases need to be treated every few days for weeks or maybe longer. I had a case that took a year to resolve.

If the wound doesn't seem to be healing, you may need to give her a round of amoxicillin, 250mg once a day or divide in half and give twice a day for ten full days.