Experimental Bumblefoot (alternative) treatment

[ElleMc]

So I thought I'd post this so it helps others, whether it works or not. I bought a one year old Khaki Campbell on Sunday. She had a bumble on each of her feet on the center web near the toe, and on one she had a second on the outside edge which was smaller. I posted a picture below.

So, I started treating Monday. I soaked her for 30 minutes in Epsom salts and then put a Providone soaked cotton ball on her foot and covered it with a pair of neoprene boots (pictured below). Due to my schedule, I was not able to check her yesterday, but today I took off her boots and checked. The Bumble appeared smaller, but still present. It was definitely softer.

I soaked her for 10 minutes in an Epsom salt Providone bath. I removed the scab from the large bumbles and attempted to squeeze out anything. The was no exudate. I applied a sterile hydrocolloid dressing to her whole foot and covered again with the booties.

I'll post progress as I go. I just really don't want to cut open her foot if I don't have to so I'm attempting alternative treatment.

 

[chickens really]

Oh, so your not sure if it actually works or not?...

 

[Miss Lydia]

@ElleMc it's clear iodine that brings the bumble to the surface the ammonia seems to do the trick. Soaking and Clear iodine I can get you the link on here if you like?
I have only had to do this on a few of my chicken hens but others have used it on their ducks.
She looks adorable in her pink shoes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-new-ideas-on-treatment-with-pictures.807777/

 

[ElleMc]

Oh, so your not sure if it actually works or not?...

Not yet. I'm going to post the progress so others know what to expect. I'm crossing my fingers. If it works - YAY! If it doesn't...back to the drawing board and others will know that this doesn't work.

 

[ElleMc]

@ElleMc it's clear iodine that brings the bumble to the surface the ammonia seems to do the trick. Soaking and Clear iodine I can get you the link on here if you like?
I have only had to do this on a few of my chicken hens but others have used it on their ducks.
She looks adorable in her pink shoes.

Thanks. I love the shoes. They are so much easier than wrapping her foot and she doesn't seem to mind them. My vet says not to use iodine, but gave me some providone and told me to make a "tea colored" solution. It has some of the same problems as iodine regarding killing healthy cells, but he said for the first couple of days it will disinfect the area, but to stop using it after the first few soaks. I was going to go soak her in plain Epsom salts on Saturday. He did say the key is to keep it moist which goes against everything I have ever been told about wounds, but he's the doctor. Hence, the hydrocolloid dressings.

 

[ElleMc]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-new-ideas-on-treatment-with-pictures.807777/

Thanks for this! After reading through the posts, I've ordered Vetricyn from Amazon. I'll start treating with that when it comes.

 

[ElleMc]

Okay - interesting info. I found that Vetericyn is basically a 5% bleach solution in a spray bottle! I researched 5% bleach solution for wound care and found lots of great information. I will check with my vet and post more as I learn.

 

[ElleMc]

Homemade Vetericyn recipe

https://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/how-to-make-an-antiseptic-solution-from-bleach/

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great recipe When my Vetericyn runs out I'll be making this.

Thanks for sharing.