Can it be something other than bumblefoot???

[ChickensAreSweet]

Anesthesia would kill a chicken.

 

[janinepeters]

I am not talking about general anesthesia. There are different kinds of anesthetics. Local anesthetics are generally used for minor surgery, and some local anesthetics can be used for chickens. Google it and you will find articles on it. I do not know whether there are any anesthetics appropriate for surgical treatment of bumblefoot, as I have never taken one to the vet for this procedure. But the point is that people are doing these surgeries without ANY anesthetic, and this should be considered when choosing treatments. There is abundant evidence that chickens have pain receptors in their feet -- they withdraw the foot when it is pecked on by another bird or when you accidentally step on the foot. And they often limp when they have bumblefoot. This pulling away and limping indicate PAIN. Do you think that somehow digging an abscess out doesn't hurt? If so, perhaps you will elect to forgo the anesthetic the next time you need minor surgery. Then you will know what these birds experience when we treat bumblefoot surgically.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I am not talking about general anesthesia. There are different kinds of anesthetics. Local anesthetics are generally used for minor surgery, and some local anesthetics can be used for chickens. Google it and you will find articles on it. I do not know whether there are any anesthetics appropriate for surgical treatment of bumblefoot, as I have never taken one to the vet for this procedure. But the point is that people are doing these surgeries without ANY anesthetic, and this should be considered when choosing treatments. There is abundant evidence that chickens have pain receptors in their feet -- they withdraw the foot when it is pecked on by another bird or when you accidentally step on the foot. And they often limp when they have bumblefoot. This pulling away and limping indicate PAIN. Do you think that somehow digging an abscess out doesn't hurt? If so, perhaps you will elect to forgo the anesthetic the next time you need minor surgery. Then you will know what these birds experience when we treat bumblefoot surgically.

I don't argue with your knowledge- I just want people to be aware:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/89420/which-terramycin-eye-ointment-is-for-chickens
see post #2

This is to warn folks that if you use ointments with "caine" in them (numbing agents) that it can kill the chicken, says the moderator.

(I am just trying to help and not negating what you are saying in any way, as you have seen some information that I haven't seen.)

 

[luvmybirdz]

Ok, so I wasn't able to take individul pics today of what I'm dealing with. I'll try to tomorrow when I do bandage changes etc. I have some generic bactroban ointment that was used in treating a MRSA infection. It's an ointment. If anyone more verse in abx and ckns could advise, would this be safe for using on them? I feel like it would do well on the bumblefoot issue since it's obviously a med used for staph infections like MRSA. It'd be MUCH easier than trying to track down other meds to either soak with or apply.

Does anyone have any tips on how to more easily soak feet w/out having to just sit and hold them? I've thought about using a dog crate....one w/the removable tray. Just put the soaking liquid in the tray and let them stand in it? That's about the best I could come up with.

 

[janinepeters]

Does anyone have any tips on how to more easily soak feet w/out having to just sit and hold them? I've thought about using a dog crate....one w/the removable tray. Just put the soaking liquid in the tray and let them stand in it? That's about the best I could come up with.

I did just hold mine, but it wasn't difficult. She was even a skittish hen, but my son sat with me and hand fed her some scratch during the soaks, so after the 1st couple of times she grew to enjoy it. She is now tamer then ever....and has remained free of bumblefoot for the past year.