Foot injury - bumblefoot?

[TJAnonymous]

I've been gone for a week and had someone watching my animals while I was gone. When I looked over everyone upon my return, I found a young BO hen with this foot injury. She was limping pretty badly. Her right toe is at an odd angle and doesn't touch the ground. Upon closer inspection, I can't tell if it is broken or just looks funny because of swelling. Here's pictures from above and below.

I have not lanced this pocket of obvious infection yet because I wanted feedback from everyone first. However when I caught her to put her in sick bay, something must have caused it to ooze blood because she started bleeding on the pine shavings. She didn't bleed much and it didn't reduce any swelling but that's what made this look so purple. Before that, it was mostly a white bubble with a little bloody crust just on the top.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Bump.... Anyone?

 

[TJAnonymous]

Bump.... Last attempt for input. I will have to do something with her today

 

[TJAnonymous]

No one is responding to my inquiry so I don't know why I'm posting this... Maybe just talking to myself.

I went ahead and cut off the hard brown knob that was growing out of the side of her toe. I also saw a brown spot under the pad of her toe which is the typical spot you see in bumblefoot. I tried to find the core but couldn't see anything. It was bleeding A LOT and she was very uncomfortable so I quit probing for the core. I washed it really good and wrapped her up. I didn't have any neomycin so Ive been using Triodine-7 (antiseptic/disinfectant) and Farnam Blue Lotion (Antiseptic wound dressing). She seems to be in less obvious pain but I'm not sure if the swelling is going down or staying the same. I am pretty certain the toe is not broken but it is still extending at a weird angle, even after cutting off the growth. I'm thinking it's because of the swelling. Here's the latest pictures after cleaning it.

The bottom of the toe pad

 

[Vickischics]

No one is responding to my inquiry so I don't know why I'm posting this... Maybe just talking to myself.

I went ahead and cut off the hard brown knob that was growing out of the side of her toe. I also saw a brown spot under the pad of her toe which is the typical spot you see in bumblefoot. I tried to find the core but couldn't see anything. It was bleeding A LOT and she was very uncomfortable so I quit probing for the core. I washed it really good and wrapped her up. I didn't have any neomycin so Ive been using Triodine-7 (antiseptic/disinfectant) and Farnam Blue Lotion (Antiseptic wound dressing). She seems to be in less obvious pain but I'm not sure if the swelling is going down or staying the same. I am pretty certain the toe is not broken but it is still extending at a weird angle, even after cutting off the growth. I'm thinking it's because of the swelling. Here's the latest pictures after cleaning it.

View attachment 2676726

The bottom of the toe pad
View attachment 2676728

Sorry about the late response.
Yes, that is a bumble foot.
Soaking it in Epsom salts to loosen the scab is the treatment.
Once it's soaked enough to make that black scab soft, you MUST peel off that scab to open the wound. Inside of tge wound will be a Core/kernel. Like the core of a "Zit". You must remove that core usually with pointy tweezers (need a person to hold your chicken wrapped in a towel) Once the core is out you will have a hole. Message any pus, blood ect out. Clean it out good! Pack Triple Antibiotic in it ( without pain relief in the ount). As that little bit of Lidocaine is toxic to chickens.
Cover it with gauze and secure it with a wrap. I use a thin strip of self adhering kling wrap.
Thats it.
Soak and repeat the assessment of the foot daily or every other day. Do not allow that black to be on the wound. It needs to heal from the inside out.
Hope this helps and sorry no one has responded.
Remember not to use Blue Kote on deep open wounds.
Ill check back later today.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Thanks for taking the time to respond... Let me clarify what I've done and observed since this started.

Initially there was a big swollen bubble between the right and center toes. This bubble had a hard brown scab over the top of it. Under the toe pad it was swollen but I didn't observe any scabs from the bottom that are typical with bumblefoot.

After soaking her feet for a little bit, I took a scalpel and cut the hard brown scab off. It didn't really bleed much until I started pressing on it which made the hen (poor girl) go ballistic. I tried to probe it for the kernel but there was nothing visible like that. There was the glimpse of something white in the center and surrounding by a meaty red material. After probing with the forceps I felt maybe the white material was the bone in her toe so I didn't dig into it. Instead I moved to the bottom of the toe pad again. That's when I saw a small brown scab so I cut it off too. It bled heavily. So heavily that there was no way to see anything and the hen was going bonkers so I stopped.

The 2nd set of pictures that you see above that LOOKS like a black scab on the BOTTOM side of her foot (not the bubble) because I treat the spot I cut into with Blue Lotion. It is not the typical black bumblefoot scab.

So now several days have passed since I attempted to cut out the infection. The bubble on top has scabbed over again and started healing but has NOT gotten smaller. Her toe is still distended at an odd angle because of the bubble.

I know I am going to have to try again to remove the source of the infection. I'm just feeling uncertain because I couldn't FIND IT the first time and I don't want to cause permanent damage to her foot by hacking away at it. I did give her some oral antibiotics today in hopes that it might help kill the bacteria causing the bumblefoot. I'm just feeling very nervous about hurting her unnecessarily.

 

[Vickischics]

Thanks for taking the time to respond... Let me clarify what I've done and observed since this started.

Initially there was a big swollen bubble between the right and center toes. This bubble had a hard brown scab over the top of it. Under the toe pad it was swollen but I didn't observe any scabs from the bottom that are typical with bumblefoot.

After soaking her feet for a little bit, I took a scalpel and cut the hard brown scab off. It didn't really bleed much until I started pressing on it which made the hen (poor girl) go ballistic. I tried to probe it for the kernel but there was nothing visible like that. There was the glimpse of something white in the center and surrounding by a meaty red material. After probing with the forceps I felt maybe the white material was the bone in her toe so I didn't dig into it. Instead I moved to the bottom of the toe pad again. That's when I saw a small brown scab so I cut it off too. It bled heavily. So heavily that there was no way to see anything and the hen was going bonkers so I stopped.

The 2nd set of pictures that you see above that LOOKS like a black scab on the BOTTOM side of her foot (not the bubble) because I treat the spot I cut into with Blue Lotion. It is not the typical black bumblefoot scab.

So now several days have passed since I attempted to cut out the infection. The bubble on top has scabbed over again and started healing but has NOT gotten smaller. Her toe is still distended at an odd angle because of the bubble.

I know I am going to have to try again to remove the source of the infection. I'm just feeling uncertain because I couldn't FIND IT the first time and I don't want to cause permanent damage to her foot by hacking away at it. I did give her some oral antibiotics today in hopes that it might help kill the bacteria causing the bumblefoot. I'm just feeling very nervous about hurting her unnecessarily.

Your doing a great job. I understand the feeling of you " hurting" her. But, you must remember that if you don't get that core out, she will continue to have this long lasting issue.
Keep soaking and squeezing the pad after soaking it. You have to get to that core which will leave a "hole". Remember the scab is the so called protective layer. Then you see "meat" and then a "white" color. Try to remove that white core protective covering. Use pointed tweezers as they are smaller and more precise than a blunt tip forceps . If you get blood, the better because it will help lift that core/kernel. It does seem like you have to go in deep. But, that Kernal is in there and must be removed.
PLUS, if your girl is in an enclosed area, clean it out. Run your hand both ways over every surface she steps on. What your job is, is to find the pokie thing that injured the foot in the first place.
That way, this won't happen again.
The wonderful thing about our girls is they Love us unconditionally and need us to care for them, keep then safe and give hugs when needed, like daily plus special treats.
Keep the injury wrapped and clean the best you can.
Bty: I'm dealing with mine as I type this. That core was "deep"!
I had to make her take some Nutrition drench and I'm giving her grits and eggs daily until its healed. It hurts me more than her.
I'll keep checking back.
Your doing a GREAT JOB.