Foot Problem

[chickenfamily20]

We noticed our rooster had a swollen toe and foot and started limping badly so we took him to our vet (we tried to take him to an avian vet but were told because of shelter in place orders they are only seeing emergencies and they did not classify his problem as an emergency). Our vet did an examination, culture, cytology and x-ray. She sent us home with oral antibiotics for him but she didn't really know what the problem was-we are still waiting for the results of all the tests to come back. We initially thought it was a case of bumblefoot but she did not think so. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with something like this. The bottom of his foot is black and feels calloused. It is really swollen and he is not able to put weight on it anymore. It looks like the bottoms of both his feet are black but his left is bigger. Any help/suggestions?

 

[pekincochin12]

That is bumblefoot. I'd start with warm epsom salt water soaks to loosen the skin. Then, you'll need to excise the kernels from his feet. Definitely keep up with the antibiotics, as that can only help. Are his feet hot at all? Any swelling other than the feet?

 

[pekincochin12]

This thread has a lot of information https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-surgery-with-pics-and-how-to.236649/

 

[chickenfamily20]

That is bumblefoot. I'd start with warm epsom salt water soaks to loosen the skin. Then, you'll need to excise the kernels from his feet. Definitely keep up with the antibiotics, as that can only help. Are his feet hot at all? Any swelling other than the feet?

No. That’s the thing that I’m hung up on. If they were swollen and full of puss, I would have thought Bumblefoot. But this is like a big, crusty callous with no swelling. I was doing some reading that suggested an Epsom salt soak, and an ointment or Manuka honey with a dressing to soften the skin. How long and with what frequency should I soak his feet?

 

[pekincochin12]

No. That’s the thing that I’m hung up on. If they were swollen and full of puss, I would have thought Bumblefoot. But this is like a big, crusty callous with no swelling. I was doing some reading that suggested an Epsom salt soak, and an ointment or Manuka honey with a dressing to soften the skin. How long and with what frequency should I soak his feet?

It kind of depends on what he'll tolerate lol. Some people do once a day, while others do twice. I'd say 10-15 minutes 2x a day would be a good starting point.