bumblefoot

[jennh]

Hi! I had written this summer about one of my hens having bumblefoot. I had tried EVERYTHING to try and clear it up. I tried soaking in epsom salts with comfrey, used hydrogen peroxide, ichthammol, triple neosporin, betadine, honey, batril (synotic), alcohol, and I wrapped her foot with vet tape everytime I did a treatment. I don't know how many "plugs" I pulled out of her foot. Nothing worked. I was at my wits end. About a month ago, I picked her up to check her foot, and it was all healed up! I did some research and I think I might have found a "cure", if you want to call it that. She had been out in the snow, and it was REALLY cold. I found out that staph cannot survive in cold, that it thrives in heat. If I ever have this problem again, I'm going to soak their foot in ICE WATER, instead of hot or warm water! Maybe I was helping it thrive by soaking in hot water?
Anyone have any comments?

Jen

 

[Gonzo]

I've never had that problem, but if and when I do.... I'll give the ice water soak a try! Makes sense!

 

[tnchickenut]

I don't know... you may be on to something. My only experience with bumblefoot was with two, 1 week old chicks, so ice water was not a choice. I got rid of with without any lancing. Just very warm to hot water and LOTS of epsom salt, everyday, only once a day for about 10 minutes a soak. Then, I think the secret is I put VetRX on their legs and feet after that. I love that miracle stuff! That I think was the clincher. BTW it took 5 days and it was gone... and it was pretty bad for week olds... still don't know how they even got it. I was working at a old folks home at the time, and think it had to do with that... one of the ladies had staph (which is all bumblefoot really is)

 

[purpletree23]

Ice water? I don't think I would try that. How long can YOU hold your foot in ice water?

 

[jennh]

I know what you're saying, but, on the other hand, she was out walking in the snow and cold all day, so what's the diff?

Jen