Bumblefoot treatment

[AmberCamilia]

Hello everyone. My duck has bumblefoot in both of her feet (looks to be 2 "balls" per each foot). I just noticed these yesterday and soaked the feet in Epsom salts, applied Neosporin and bandaged them with gauze. I bought some Vetericyn today to use. The spots look pretty bad and I'm thinking I might have to drain the infection. I won't lie, this terrifies me. If I keep soaking and cleaning the feet, while applying neosporin and Vetericyn (do I need both?) will the feet eventually heal or do I need to go ahead and do the "surgery?"

 

[peterlund]

Got to drain the sores.... not as bad as you think. You will get "in the zone" quick, and the bird will be so much better off... smear thecwounds with antibiotics and try to do "surgery" near nightfall so your patient naturally will get calmer . Good luck. You will do fine. Sharp sharp real scalpel. Less pain.

 

[AmberCamilia]

Got to drain the sores.... not as bad as you think. You will get "in the zone" quick, and the bird will be so much better off... smear thecwounds with antibiotics and try to do "surgery" near nightfall so your patient naturally will get calmer . Good luck. You will do fine. Sharp sharp real scalpel. Less pain.

Thank you so much for the reassurance. Once I drain them, what should I apply to the open wounds? Neosporin? Vetericyn? Both? Do I need anything else?

 

[peterlund]

Mostly a fairly clean "floor" for a few days . I am an advocate of neosporin but ask around. They will heal up quick without all the pus inside. You'll do fine.

 

[chickens really]

@Miss Lydia

 

[chickens really]

Miss Lydia will reply as soon as she gets my tag....She is awesome and has helped many with the issue...

 

[AmberCamilia]

Miss Lydia will reply as soon as she gets my tag....She is awesome and has helped many with the issue...

She has helped me before, I think she's wonderful. Thank you for tagging her!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Before cutting I would try soaking in Epsom salt water a while longer and also using clear iodine along with it. In other words you soak dry and apply the clear iodine after a few days try with your finger nail to pull up the scab if it still won't come off easily keep soaking till it does. Once you get the scab off there will be a pus pocket [plug] you can get it out with sterile tweezers then pack with neo. Nothing with pain med in it though.
Keep her on as clean bedding as possible till healed. I'd def try this method before cutting.

 

[AmberCamilia]

Before cutting I would try soaking in Epsom salt water a while longer and also using clear iodine along with it. In other words you soak dry and apply the clear iodine after a few days try with your finger nail to pull up the scab if it still won't come off easily keep soaking till it does. Once you get the scab off there will be a pus pocket [plug] you can get it out with sterile tweezers then pack with neo. Nothing with pain med in it though.
Keep her on as clean bedding as possible till healed. I'd def try this method before cutting.

Thanks Miss Lydia, you're a blessing! I'll wait a few days and do as you advised before I perform the "surgery." Hopefully I'll be able to peel the scab off and get the plug out.

 

[AmberCamilia]

Hey everyone.. I attempted to remove the scab and get all of the infection out today, yikes! I did end up removing each scab (I think...), but I was unable to pick all of that nasty, rubbery stuff out.. I had my mother hold Daisy (the "patient") while I picked and plucked at her feet, but there was no "perfect" way to do this.. She kept kicking and squirming. Is this inevitable or is there a better way to keep her still long enough to get the infection out? Anyway, I ended up removing a lot of the gunk but I am still unsure if I removed the plug. Is it a solid "thing," or is it possible to remove it in pieces? And what is the best utensil to use to remove the rubbery substance? I removed quite a bit of the stuff but it was hot and she was squirming (didn't seem to be in pain, just angry and/or uncomfortable), so I applied Neosporin and bandaged her up. I'll try to get the rest of it out in the morning, but hopefully someone could give me some tips on keeping her calm and what exactly the plug looks like. Also, how will I know when all of the infection is out?