Bumblefoot with no scab?

[prov31mom23]

We have a rooster who is favoring one of his feet. It's very swollen and apparently tender because if he can avoid it he won't even put it on the ground. We brought him in today, prepared to do bumblefoot surgery, which we have never had to do before. After soaking his feet for several minutes and cleaning them, we were unable to see any scab. The swollen pad on the bottom of his foot is very hard and tender because he reacts when you apply any pressure there. The back toe on that foot is also swollen and it looks like the claw has broken off. So how do you treat bumblefoot without a scab?

 

[vicky1212123]

do you have pictures? i don't know anything about this topic but i feel like the people who would know would benefit from pictures

 

[pattyhen]

Soak his foot in epson salts water and put clear iodine on it. If you can put a gauze on it and wrap with vet wrap. Do this for several days and it should develope a scab.

 

[TwoCrows]

If you have any pictures, it would be very helpful. It is possible he has bruised it. Is there any swelling at the webbing between the toes?

 

[prov31mom23]

I do not have any photos. The bottom of the foot is quite swollen, including the back toe. It looks like images I've seen of bumblefoot, only without the characteristic scab.

 

[prov31mom23]

Can I use regular iodine? I have both povidone iodine and Lugol's iodine but no clear iodine.

 

[prov31mom23]

I do not recall any swelling between the webbing of the toes although the whole back toe is swollen. The fleshy area on the bottom of the foot is quite swollen and hard. We noticed him limping slightly several weeks ago - sometime in May, in fact - but discounted it as a probable result of a run-in with a junior rooster who was challenging him (and ultimately triumphed, only for us to remove him from the flock because he's just a mean, all-around bully). The limp seemed to improve for a week or so but has steadily worsened the last few weeks. We became aware of the swelling only since the limp worsened.

 

[TwoCrows]

I do not recall any swelling between the webbing of the toes although the whole back toe is swollen. The fleshy area on the bottom of the foot is quite swollen and hard. We noticed him limping slightly several weeks ago - sometime in May, in fact - but discounted it as a probable result of a run-in with a junior rooster who was challenging him (and ultimately triumphed, only for us to remove him from the flock because he's just a mean, all-around bully). The limp seemed to improve for a week or so but has steadily worsened the last few weeks. We became aware of the swelling only since the limp worsened.

Never cut into flesh that is only swollen. Unless this is actually a case of bumblefoot, which it sounds like it is not, do not cut into this. Sounds like some sort of internal infection to me. Cutting is only going to open up a risk of more infection entering the body.

If this were my bird, I would get him on PenG or Amoxicillin. I would keep the foot wrapped at all times, possibly use Preparation H to help with swelling, maybe even 1 baby aspirin (or a 1/4 of an adult aspirin) once a day to help with inflammation and pain.

If you have an avian vet that can look at this, I would definitely take him in.

Keep us posted!

 

[prov31mom23]

Where would I get pen-G or amoxicillin for my rooster?

 

[TwoCrows]

Where would I get pen-G or amoxicillin for my rooster?

Many feed stores carry injectable PenG. Not sure about Tractor Supply however. You will need a 20 gauge needle and a syringe. How much does your boy weigh? A standard breed rooster will need 1/2 to 1 ml depending on how large he is. Once a day for up to 7 days, alternate left breast, right breast so he doesnt get sore.

Amoxicillin will be given orally, down the throat. You will have to order this on line. Many ornamental Fish suppliers carry Amox...known as Fish-Mox. Depending on how big he is, 2 to 3 capsules a day. I usually find it easy to mix the contents in Gerber baby food and squeeze down the throat in a syringe, no needle. Use for 7 to 14 days.