Bumblefoot

[Ahborowski]

Not only am I dealing with a vent prolapse, but also discovered my duck has bumblefoot. I’ve read so much, but am overwhelmed at what I should do. She’s been soaking in an epsom salt bath and I’ve been spraying her with vetericyn and bandaging the foot. I’ve heard I should squeeze the spot or pull with tweezers? I’m not even sure what I should be grabbing at. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Isaac 0]

Bumblefoot treatment tends to consist of soaking the core in either Epsom saltwater, or an antiseptic mixture to soften the scab and allow easier excavation of the eschar. After the area has been soaked for a while, you can attempt to cut/peel some of the scab off with a pair of tweezers, and a scalpel. If you can get the core out, apply firm pressure to squeeze any caseous material or puss, lavage with an antiseptic, and pack the tissue with an antibacterial ointment. Afterward, apply non-stick padding to the foot, and wrap vet wrap around to prevent reinfection of the tissue until healed.

Depending on how it looks afterward, you may consider antibiotics given how far progressed the core is.

https://allbirdproducts.com/products/baytril-10

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/duck-feet-bandages.1424682/

Bumblefoot is often correlated with unsanitary, and hard grounds promoting ulceration and flaking to the epidermis allowing bacterial penetration into the tissue. Attempts to provide a clean pen, and provide cushioning can prevent further problems.

 

[Ahborowski]

How on earth do you get the duck to stay still while doing this? I’m stumped.

 

[SolarDuck]

Try wrapping the duck in a towel

 

[Isaac 0]

How on earth do you get the duck to stay still while doing this? I’m stumped.

A burrito towel wrap works well in some cases. If that doesn't work I result to loosely zip tieing their legs temporarily while I'm doing the procedure.

 

[Ahborowski]

So we worked the scab off... and it all seemed healthy. This is what it looked like. Could it be that she was healing already? I’m feeling terribly guilty for inflicting pain for possibly no reason.

 

[Isaac 0]

So we worked the scab off... and it all seemed healthy. This is what it looked like. Could it be that she was healing already? I’m feeling terribly guilty for inflicting pain for possibly no reason.

Great work!

The devitalized tissue that you took off was preventing cellular epithelial migration over the wound surface, preventing proper healing - now that you have established a clean wound surface, apply an antibacterial ointment, place a non-stick padding, overtop, and bandage. The bandage should be replaced at least once daily.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wrapping-feet.1255043/

 

[Ahborowski]

That is such a relief. I was feeling a lot of guilt for inflicting pain for potentially no reason.

 

[Ahborowski]

How long do we need to continue changing the bandage and keeping her inside?

 

[Isaac 0]

How long do we need to continue changing the bandage and keeping her inside?

Preferably once the tissue has reached the maturation stage, where it's unlikely direct contact on bacterial-ridden grounds will allow subsequent infection of the tissue. In a few days, you may be able to allow her outside, but with the bandage still on.