early bumblefoot

[Woobsie]

I have a BR rooster with what looks to have early bumblefoot ie. Swollen footpad, swelling between toes. He isn't limping and is eating, drinking and acting normally. I dont see that black scab or opening yet. His leg above the toes looks slightly more swollen than his other leg.
He is isolated for now. Should I get him on antibiotics right away? And if so should it be penicillin (I am in Canada). Should I just start soaking in epsom bath daily to start? I dont want to cut it open and risk at transferring the bacteria directly into his bloodstream.

 

[Davidhalpern2]

My advice is wait and watch it daily. Bumble foot will have a black spot/scab. I have one hen that has one footpad that is much larger than the other. Been that way for 5 years now. She is in perfect health

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Don't use antibiotics until absolutely necessary. Yes, give him a bath with the epsom salt. Then squeeze the infected part.

 

[Woobsie]

He had a sprained leg for the past few months so he puts most his weight on the leg that started to swell. About a week or 2 ago I noticed the foot ankle and leg start to swell but not seeing any black holes or scabs... I just don't want to leave it until he shows signs of lameness

 

[Davidhalpern2]

If you are not 100% sure it's infected don't squeeze and subject the bird to unnecessary pain.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

If you are not 100% sure it's infected don't squeeze and subject the bird to unnecessary pain.

x2

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

If you are not 100% sure it's infected don't squeeze and subject the bird to unnecessary pain.

X3! My duck had a minor cut on the bottom of her foot... and a very slight limp. I thought there might be a thorn or sliver that was bothering her so I cleaned the cut and gave it a bit of a squeeze. I removed only a black speck. That was two nights ago. The next morning her ankle began to swell and limp worsened throughout the day. Today, the swelling remains as well as the limp. But I've kept her in a small enclosed area, so she is doing better than last night. I felt so bad having done anything to contribute. So, Davidhalpern's advice is very good!

Any update on your rooster? Hoping he's doing ok!

 

[Woobsie]

Thank you for the replies! For some reason got hammered with about 5 cases of bumblefoot and one broken wing all in 2 weeks. I ended up soaking the feet in a strong epsom salt bath for 20 min (not my idea of a fun time!) and then just wrapping it with vet wrap or applying polysporin on gauze and wrapping with vet wrap. I kept the foot wrapped for around 2 weeks. With all but 1 case this was all I had to do for the swelling to go right away and the bumblefoot to disappear. But one case I cut it open and didn't manage to remove the kernal..I didn't see it. But it was bleeding and I disinfected very well and covered it upw ith polysporin after treating with Betadiene. The foot healed marvellously after I confined her in a cage for 1 to 1.5 weeks and left it wrapped for around 3 weeks. Seemed rather easy but I was probably lucky!