Bumblefoot

[dorset33]

Ive got a hybrid hen with Bumble foot, ive taken her to a vet , and carried out his advice 1. Bath foot with Epson Salts daily, and 2. given her a course of antibiotics. I also used medi-tape and Honey
After2 weeks , her foot is still same as it was, and she limps, or holds foot up. The swelling is still there. She isn't a heavy bird quite light even for a hybrid. She,s eating well and still laying (though we cannot eat the eggs as the antibiotics still in system).

Has anyone any other cures/ advice? I have read where someone has operated and cut out the "core" of the swelling!!! I'm not up to doing that I'm afraid. So if anyone can help, id most appreciate it.
thanks

 

[Kiki]

I'm surprised that a vet would recommend just soaking and not cutting the "nasty" out.
Cutting it out is really not that bad, and that is what I could suggest.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ive got a hybrid hen with Bumble foot, ive taken her to a vet , and carried out his advice 1. Bath foot with Epson Salts daily, and 2. given her a course of antibiotics. I also used medi-tape and Honey
After2 weeks , her foot is still same as it was, and she limps, or holds foot up. The swelling is still there. She isn't a heavy bird quite light even for a hybrid. She,s eating well and still laying (though we cannot eat the eggs as the antibiotics still in system).

Has anyone any other cures/ advice? I have read where someone has operated and cut out the "core" of the swelling!!! I'm not up to doing that I'm afraid. So if anyone can help, id most appreciate it.
thanks

Hi @dorset33 Welcome To BYC
Can you post some photos of the foot and scab?

The core usually needs to come out in order for the foot to heal. You can try your normal soak in epsom salts, dry the foot very well, then apply Decolorized (Clear) Iodine to the scab. Wrap the foot and keep her on clean dry bedding for a day. Next day, take off the wrap and see if the scab is loose where it can be gently pulled off - you may need tweezers. Sometimes the core will come out with the scab. If it does, clean out the hole where the core was really well - express any pus (chicken pus is a semi-hard cheese-like substance). Flush well with saline or betadine. Pack with triple antibiotic ointment, then wrap the foot. Check it daily to monitor how well it's healing. You can also re-soak in epsom salts after a couple of days to help soothe any inflammation.

If the scab and core don't come out easily, you may need to perform "surgery" or you can try soaking and re-apply the Decolorized Iodine, rewrap and see if it comes out the next day.

Keep us posted.


This is the type of wording for Decolorized (Clear) Iodine you want to look for.

 

[mrskenmore]

Hello,

I just recently had a hen with bumblefoot, My vet removed the core and I kept it wrapped with vetrap every day for 6 weeks until it went away. I think you also need some antibiotic cream. I also used vetricyn and it worked well to keep the opening clean. See the link to my 6 week treating of bumblefoot on BYC here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-cures.1192989/page-2#post-19033321