Bumblefoot questions

[Peas4Ducks]

We recently picked up a Pekin duck with severe bumblefoot from a nearby city park. I've already gotten some very helpful advice on a different thread, but figured I would start a new, bumblefoot-specific thread.

We took her to the vet three days ago, and he prescribed an oral antibiotic, SMZ-pediatric, twice daily, and an anti-inflammatory once daily. He didn't drain the pus out of her foot because he said that in his experience, that often makes things worse. I like and trust our vet--but everything I've read seems to suggest that draining the pus is an important step. Does anyone know of bumblefoot healing with just antibiotics and no draining?

Also, she's losing a lot of feathers. I'm not sure if it's regular molting or stress-induced, but either way I'm worried about her body going through molting and fighting the infection simultaneously. She's also sneezing and wheezing. This poor duck is not in good shape .

If anyone has successfully treated a duck in similar condition, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thank you for helping out this poor duckie!

I successfully treated a Runner with just antibiotics and without extracting pus. I tend to think that it's nest to leave duck feet closed, if possible. Bumblefoot in ducks looks and acts different than it does in chickens, in my experience. I treated my girl for over a month with Baytril and nightly soaks in Tricide Neo (an antibiotic made for koi). My duck had a scab that I was able to get off eventually, but I know a lot of times, there is swelling with no scab, though. I'd be even more hesitant to try an extraction if the infection was deep, I would think.

I would just follow the vet's advice. Heck, the antibiotics might clear up whatever is causing the respiratory symptoms.

 

[Peas4Ducks]

Thank you for helping out this poor duckie!

I successfully treated a Runner with just antibiotics and without extracting pus. I tend to think that it's nest to leave duck feet closed, if possible. Bumblefoot in ducks looks and acts different than it does in chickens, in my experience. I treated my girl for over a month with Baytril and nightly soaks in Tricide Neo (an antibiotic made for koi). My duck had a scab that I was able to get off eventually, but I know a lot of times, there is swelling with no scab, though. I'd be even more hesitant to try an extraction if the infection was deep, I would think.

I would just follow the vet's advice. Heck, the antibiotics might clear up whatever is causing the respiratory symptoms.

That is super helpful, thank you! I think this will be easier if I'm mentally prepared for a long haul of antibiotics.

Were you successfully able to administer antibiotics every single day, around the same time? I'm a little nervous about the holidays coming up--we're planning on going out of town for at least a night or two to visit family.

 

[lost-duckling]

i always had this go away once they were moved to a cleaner more spacious enviorment. no treatment was ever needed then again im a human who has never take advil.
the parks are often over populated and thus causes bubble foot. in my experience giving the the save a chick type stuff in their water and or moving them to free range has always fixed it pretty quick

 

[KaleIAm]

My ducks have had mild/moderate bumblefoot in the past and I took them to the vet. I followed their advice, which was oral antibiotics twice daily, anti inflammation medication once daily, washing the foot twice daily with antibiotic wash, antibiotic/antifungal ointment, neoprene boots, soft and clean substrates, and good nutrition. They also had me remove everything hard like rocks and boards from the environment.

My vet also didn't recommend cutting into the foot, but I didn't ask about it. My ducks feet cleared up every time, but until I changed their environment to grass only outside and had them standing exclusively on soft things the bumblefoot came back a few months later for my larger ducks.

I think it is important not to miss any doses on your antibiotics, so if you are going to be away for the holidays maybe you can hire a neighbor to give the medication for you?

 

[Peas4Ducks]

I think it is important not to miss any doses on your antibiotics, so if you are going to be away for the holidays maybe you can hire a neighbor to give the medication for you?

Yes, we’ll have to figure out some kind of arrangement. We do already have a neighbor who feeds and waters our ducks for us whenever we’re out of town, but administering antibiotics is a totally different thing. At least we have a few weeks to think it through.

 

[KaleIAm]

Yes, we’ll have to figure out some kind of arrangement. We do already have a neighbor who feeds and waters our ducks for us whenever we’re out of town, but administering antibiotics is a totally different thing. At least we have a few weeks to think it through.

Yeah, I completely understand. Depending on which antibiotic it is you might be able to get it in capsule or tablet form. If your ducks like tomatoes you can cut a grape tomato into a "pill pocket" and your duck sitter might feel more comfortable feeding a sneaky treat. I use a compounding pharmacy to make medication in capsules for me - it can be crazy expensive but worth it for me because I like to preserve my relationship with my ducks. Most vets assume liquid meds are easier for birds, and some people prefer them. They just don't hide in food well!

 

[Peas4Ducks]

Yeah, I completely understand. Depending on which antibiotic it is you might be able to get it in capsule or tablet form. If your ducks like tomatoes you can cut a grape tomato into a "pill pocket" and your duck sitter might feel more comfortable feeding a sneaky treat. I use a compounding pharmacy to make medication in capsules for me - it can be crazy expensive but worth it for me because I like to preserve my relationship with my ducks. Most vets assume liquid meds are easier for birds, and some people prefer them. They just don't hide in food well!

That’s a great idea! We have a vet check up scheduled for Dec. 22. If he prescribes another round of antibiotics, I’ll be sure to ask about pill options.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

It sounds like you got great answers regarding bumblefoot.

It looks like your girl is molting. My ducks are still molting as well. It's a long process because they don't lose all of their feathers at once.
Good luck with your new duck!

 

[Peas4Ducks]

Hi all, I've been all over the place with this duck. I know that in my most recent post about her, I made peace with the fact that she will most likely have to be put down--I still accept that as the most likely option, but her condition isn't progressing the way I expected it to. In the past few days, the swelling on her foot actually seems to have gone down overall and she's walking a bit better, but there's one new very swollen spot that looks like it's about to rupture. Has anyone seen something like this? Is it possibly some debris working its way to the surface?

The vet said that he was unwilling to perform surgery, but now I'm feeling like maybe I should insist on at least trying it. I sent him this picture, still waiting to hear back.