Chicken with odd scab on foot starting to smell rotten...

[humblehillsfarm]

Update #2


I do have a question though. When I get it off, there's probably going to be a big hole. Should I just wrap it like I have been doing, or do I need to do something else?

Yes keep wrapping it and applying that ointment! Good job! I’m anxious to see how it turns out.

 

[Jennc-123]

It may be pressure sores. With gait change, and more sensitive skin.

 

[coach723]

I would make sure that the hole is as clean as you can get it, fill it with ointment and then cover with gauze or a telfa pad and then bandage. Hopefully it is bumblefoot and it will resolve.

 

[Fluffy_Feathers]

Update #3 Unpleasant Images
Today I got the scab off! After the soak I was working on it and realized I was going to have to be more forceful. I was able to get it loose, but the cartilage looking stuff wasn't coming loose so I had to cut it. There was some remaining scab so I got that off as well. I sprayed Vetericyn in the wound (whether it helps or not it couldn't hurt) and put Triple Antibiotic in the wound and wrapped it. I feel bad for her because I know it hurt getting it off and it's tender now, but I'm glad it's finally off now. (this isn't meant to be red, for some reason I can't change it to black)

If you work on it, have someone take some photos

I finally got pictures of what's actually under it!

I don't know much about wounds or what "healthy" vs infected looks like so sorry if it's quite obvious but... does this look infected? No puss or discharge came out, and that liquid you may have noticed in the wound was just water. That white stuff is the cartilage I had to cut. It seems okay to me, but I'm not confident in my assessment.

I also got some pictures of the detached scab. It's irrelevant now but I figure some of you may be curious It looks like it actually got smaller from the soaking. That white stuff is the embedded cartilage.

I'm very happy to get it off. I do have a couple questions: Should I continue with the Epsom salt baths? Should I wash it out daily with plain water?

Comments? Questions? Concerns?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Update #3 Unpleasant Images
Today I got the scab off! After the soak I was working on it and realized I was going to have to be more forceful. I was able to get it loose, but the cartilage looking stuff wasn't coming loose so I had to cut it. There was some remaining scab so I got that off as well. I sprayed Vetericyn in the wound (whether it helps or not it couldn't hurt) and put Triple Antibiotic in the wound and wrapped it. I feel bad for her because I know it hurt getting it off and it's tender now, but I'm glad it's finally off now. (this isn't meant to be red, for some reason I can't change it to black)

I finally got pictures of what's actually under it!
View attachment 2262140View attachment 2262142
I don't know much about wounds or what "healthy" vs infected looks like so sorry if it's quite obvious but... does this look infected? No puss or discharge came out, and that liquid you may have noticed in the wound was just water. That white stuff is the cartilage I had to cut. It seems okay to me, but I'm not confident in my assessment.

I also got some pictures of the detached scab. It's irrelevant now but I figure some of you may be curious It looks like it actually got smaller from the soaking. That white stuff is the embedded cartilage.
View attachment 2262154View attachment 2262155View attachment 2262157

I'm very happy to get it off. I do have a couple questions: Should I continue with the Epsom salt baths? Should I wash it out daily with plain water?

Comments? Questions? Concerns?

I think changing the bandage, rinsing and applying new antibiotic ointment daily would be sufficient.

I still think that was a Bumblefoot scab. Good job taking care of you bird! Thanks for sharing those pictures.

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

I think it looks wonderful. I'd keep it clean, packed with ointment & wrapped till it closes.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update #3 Unpleasant Images
Today I got the scab off! After the soak I was working on it and realized I was going to have to be more forceful. I was able to get it loose, but the cartilage looking stuff wasn't coming loose so I had to cut it. There was some remaining scab so I got that off as well. I sprayed Vetericyn in the wound (whether it helps or not it couldn't hurt) and put Triple Antibiotic in the wound and wrapped it. I feel bad for her because I know it hurt getting it off and it's tender now, but I'm glad it's finally off now. (this isn't meant to be red, for some reason I can't change it to black)

I finally got pictures of what's actually under it!
View attachment 2262140View attachment 2262142
I don't know much about wounds or what "healthy" vs infected looks like so sorry if it's quite obvious but... does this look infected? No puss or discharge came out, and that liquid you may have noticed in the wound was just water. That white stuff is the cartilage I had to cut. It seems okay to me, but I'm not confident in my assessment.

I also got some pictures of the detached scab. It's irrelevant now but I figure some of you may be curious It looks like it actually got smaller from the soaking. That white stuff is the embedded cartilage.
View attachment 2262154View attachment 2262155View attachment 2262157

I'm very happy to get it off. I do have a couple questions: Should I continue with the Epsom salt baths? Should I wash it out daily with plain water?

Comments? Questions? Concerns?

Fantastic! Thanks for the photos too
No, I don't think it looks infected!

I would check the wound daily and clean as needed. Keep her on clean dry bedding.
You may find that you eventually need to do daily soaks or soaks every other day to help with the healing process. A lot depends on how it progresses.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

How is the foot doing??

 

[Fluffy_Feathers]

How is the foot doing??

Her foot is doing okay, though it could be going better. I've been changing the bandages daily. I'll rinse her foot off, spray vetericyn, apply triple antibiotic, and wrap it again.
1 day after removal

2 days after removal

After the first two days it was looking really good. I was really surprised with how the hole filled in so quickly.

3 days after removal

4 days after removal

After 3 days the bandaging began sticking to the scab (you can see under 3 days the hole where the scab came up a bit). At 5 days I tried putting Vaseline on the bandage to prevent it from sticking, but found out the next day that it didn't work (I don't think I put enough).
6 days after removal

At 6 days, after realizing the Vaseline didn't work, I found some non-stick pads, and those have been working very well. I put that on the scab, then wrap it. At 7 days when I learned that the pads did indeed work and everything looked okay, I decided to let her be with the flock to see how she'd do. I was afraid she may be getting a bit depressed in her cage and that it would be good for her to move around, since the scab wouldn't be sticking or pulling too much. After 8 days her scab looked good so I continued to let her stay with the rest of chickens. After 9 days...
9 days after removal
Before rinsing After rinsing

I unbandaged her and found that she had been bleeding. Not a whole lot, but enough to show through the non-stick pad. So, no more being with the rest of the chickens. I may have jumped the gun a bit on that. Her foot wasn't healed enough to be moving around on it.
Today (10 days)
I didn't get a picture today, but it looked better than yesterday. There was some blood but not as much as yesterday. She's probably going to take longer to heal than I was hoping, with the little set backs of the bleeding and the sticking. But hopefully from here she'll start making better improvements.

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad that she is healing some. Could she hang out with the chickens in a dog crate with food and water in the shade?