Bumblefoot

[flossyfelix]

Is there anyway to prevent bumblefoot? I feel like my female is getting sores on her feet way more often than I would like- it has only turned into full blown bumblefoot once- which I am still dealing with, somewhat.- & I don't want my baby to have bad feet or get an infection. They are out during the day- which sometimes they do venture into the tree line & being in NC that means Pines- lots of straw & pinecones- but I have no pinecones in my yard. In their pin/house they have indoor/outdoor carpet around their pool & inside of the house they have clean straw. Is there anything more I can do to prevent it??

 

[duckitup]

It would be great if there was a vaccine wouldn't it! Other than what you have already done with their house and yard I don't think there is much else to do besides continuing to keep an eye out for sticks and stones. You could maybe put up some temp fencing along the tree line to keep them out of there. Good luck with your bumblefoot struggles. I had a couple of cases last yr. Not fun.

 

[flossyfelix]

@duckitup

Yes!! A vaccine would be amazing!! Did you do the surgery on your ducks yourself or take them to the vet?

 

[duckitup]

Our first case we took to the vet. He told us that squishing out the bumble was not something he would recommend. He had just had to put a chicken down a week before with bumble because of the people trying that route. In some cases it can work (as BYC forums can attest to!) but he felt amputation was a better option for Hoover because of where it was located. (outside toe and close to the ankle joint). He feared it could spread to her ankle and up her leg if we didn't and since it was an outside toe most of her webbing would be kept in tact. His fee was pretty reasonable to me and actually ended up being less expensive than he quoted. The surgery went fantastic! and I am so glad I had it done. Her recovery was easy and she shows no sings of disability.

The second case was very minor. The vet squished some stuff out of that one but not much. We treated her with Epsom baths and some rest and relaxation. Though I should also add she was inadvertently on antibiotics at the same time since she was in with Hoover during her recovery from surgery. And then herself needed to be treated for a respiratory infection. Which seemed like no drug would help. I think we tried 4 diff ones, the last being batril. Which also didn't help. It was a hell summer. But she is all back to 100% now. Quite the fighter that one. Lucky gal.

 

[cayugaducklady]

I don't mean to alarm you. I had one hen that seemed to constantly get open wounds on her feet this past summer. She died suddenly a few weeks ago. They found a circulatory/ liver congenital problem in her. While she was alive I couldn't find the cause/source of her bumbles at all. Soft bedding in pen, soft bedding in sleeping houses, no sticker bushes, no glass in their free range area etc. It turns out that they weren't bumbles. They were a sign that her liver was dying and her circulation was very poor.

If you can't find a source for the bumbles or if a vet says they aren't bumbles, it might be time to have an overall health check done. It may help pinpoint hidden/silent problems. Ducks can seem A-OK while they're having serious health problems.

My vet never recommends home surgery or squeezing the bumbles. He's an exotic animal specialist although my ducks have been the first he's seen professionally.

I use a hydrogen peroxide soak and one drop of iodine on the bumble. Only use the iodine every 7-10 days because it is absorbed into the tissues.

I also use manuka honey & coconut oil to make a wound pack to cover the bumble. The manuka honey is a gentle peroxide. I use the highest quality medical grade i could afford.

I've had some success using hydrocolloid bandages (pimple bandages) to cover open bumbles. They encourage wound draining and are somewhat waterproof. I've never used them on bumbles with hard scabs.. only new open wounds.

 

[flossyfelix]

I don't mean to alarm you.  I had one hen that seemed to constantly get open wounds on her feet  this past summer.  She died suddenly a few weeks ago. They found a circulatory/ liver congenital problem in her.  While she was alive I couldn't find the cause/source of her bumbles at all.  Soft bedding in pen, soft bedding in sleeping houses, no sticker bushes, no glass in their free range area etc. It turns out that they weren't bumbles. They were a sign that her liver was dying and her circulation was very poor.

If you can't find a source for the bumbles or if a vet says they aren't bumbles, it might be time to have an overall health check done.  It may help pinpoint hidden/silent problems. Ducks can seem A-OK  while they're having serious health problems.

My vet never recommends home surgery or squeezing the bumbles.  He's an exotic animal specialist although my ducks have been the first he's seen professionally.

I use a hydrogen peroxide soak and one drop of iodine on the bumble.  Only use the iodine every 7-10 days because it is absorbed into the tissues.

I also use manuka honey & coconut oil to make a wound pack to cover the bumble.  The manuka honey is a gentle peroxide.  I use the highest quality medical grade i could afford.

I've had some success using hydrocolloid bandages (pimple bandages) to cover open bumbles. They encourage wound draining and are somewhat waterproof.  I've never used them on bumbles with hard  scabs.. only new open wounds.

OH no!!!

luckily we have only had 1 case of actual bumblefoot. I didn't smash it or anything, however it had a hard scab. I've put peroxide & A&D ointment on it morning & night. It's located on the outside of her left foot, it's not affecting her webbing & it doesn't seem to bother her much- but it looks like it's taking care of itself... is that possible? Or is that just wishful thinking? Like the yuck is working it's way out.. & the scab is getting smaller. Fingers crossed it's going away!

 

[Amiga]

I have treated several cases of bumblefoot, with just antibiotic ointment a number of times a day, every day, for several weeks.

Always has worked, the ducks are nearly 7 years old now.

I would consider doing something to boost her immune system. Vitamins, probiotics, that kind of thing.

 

[flossyfelix]

@Amiga you just made my night! I've been putting the peroxide & A&D on it everyday religiously! It does seem to be working! As far as the vitimans or probiotics do I get it at my local feed store/ agri supply? What exactly do I get??

 

[Amiga]

I have found a vitamin-electrolyte mix - it's a powder, quarter teaspoon per gallon of drinking water. Once a week, maybe twice a week while you are treating the bumblefoot.

I found it first at a feed store, then ordered more at Jeffers.