Frostbite? pics UPDATE

[Buster]

I looked up frostbite under dragonflies and dandelions and found this http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=emergencies&action=display&num=1165921365

Is that the one you were thinking of? I think I have a plan now and he will get plenty of cage rest while he is healing. I'm hoping this break will let all his pretty feathers grow back as well. Thanks for all your help and interest in this. These forums are fascinating: Total strangers willing to take the time to help others with their problems. What a neat thing!

 

[dlhunicorn]

I have seen a few posts on severely frostbitten birds which showed blisters ...however I cant tell if your swelling is that or an actual abscess (if abscess>sometimes referred to as bumblefoot< it will need lancing/removal of abscess manually, however that will show itself in time)
To sum up (incl info on the ceph med that Peter Brown advised) I am printing out below for your vet (you said was not avian vet ... info below is from avian veterinary sources so print out for him):
http://exoticpetvet.net/avian/avianmeds.html
(general description of use of cephalexin in birds)
"cephalexin, also a cephalosporin, can be given orally to treat susceptible bacterial infections, may be good for deep skin infections"

more info on cephalexin with specific dosage info from the AVIAN WOUND MANAGEMENT site (veterinary source info):
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2003/november/Cousquer/Avian-Wound-Management-Part-2.html
".....The wound below the right eye was allowed to heal by secondary intention as there was concern that penetration of the infraorbital sinus might result in complications. A broad-spectrum antibiotic (cephalexin 100mg/kg orally twice daily) was administered until a healthy bed of granulation tissue was established...."
(as far as I know Peter does not carry this med and you will need to get from your vet)

confirmation of the above and specifc treatment measures from another avian veterinary reference I have pmd you as the copyright restrictions prevent it being posted on this board....

...one final note... be careful of any topical creme with pain med in it following this warning from the AVIAN WOUND MANAGEMENT site:
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2003/august/Cousquer/Avian-Wound-Assessment.html
"....Local anaesthetics should not be used in birds due to the suggested sensitivity of birds to drugs of the procaine group..." (so if you see "....caine" in any topical creme, it is best not to use on your bird)
ALOE VERA has been proven very beneficial on wounds of this nature.

 

[Mountain Man Jim]

In our case of bumblefoot, the bird had a hard mass under the skin on the pad of the foot, which kept growing. We needed to work on the foot for a long time and eventually I need to remove the mass. It sounds like you have determined that it’s frostbite and have a direction.

OK, no offence meant by this … I love that your pictures were taken in the kitchen. I love this crazy group. The laundry room is our OR.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Jim... abscess (deep tissue , so not a superficial blister) in a bird will not be reabsorbed (even with systemic medication) and must be manually removed (which is what you experienced) ...this was the reason behind my enquiry as to it being "bumblefoot" (indicating an abscess) as opposed to a "blister"

 

[speckledhen]

I hope he heals up fine for you now that you have more direction. That swelling was pretty confusing, so was hard to say if it was an abcess from a wound or what-glad Dr. Brown was here to help or whoever you got hold of. He's been wonderful for alot of people in diagnosing problems.

 

[coloradochick]

Here's a newbie question....Is there anything to "sprinkle" or spray in the soil in the coops to fight off staph germs?

 

[Pinenot]

Staph is EVERYWHERE!!! That is why it is so important to keep your hands clean. It usually gets into a sore and them grows out of control from there.

Wash! Wash! Wash! Keep your birds away from sharp objects like wire floors that have sharp edging, etc...

 

[speckledhen]

It's difficult to keep birds away from anything that will scrape their feet when you live in the woods and they freerange. My property had many small old burnpiles where they had thrown glass. After almost six years, glass still perks to the top after a storm and I'm forever picking it up and throwing it out in the house. My coops and runs aren't the problem, but the girls walk on the woodpile, etc. Cant sanitize over five acres. And he's correct-staff is everywhere.

 

[Buster]

Quote:
We've actually been working on the bird in our bathroom, but we were on our way back outside when we decided to take pics. Note the pajama pants w/ the carhart coat. I got style man!

At any rate, we didn't have the cephalexine that was recommended on the other site, so last night we soaked his feet in epsom salt and put bactine on them and then crated him in my dog kennel with fairly deep bedding. During the soak, a lot of the dark tissues started coming off and I take that as a good sign. I found out that not all of the black was scabs, some were tissues.

 

[Buster]

Well, we've been soaking his feet and putting bactine on them for a bit and they're looking a lot better in not much time. I don't see sign of any secondary infection in his legs and his feathers are beginning to grow back.