How do you know when bumblefoot treatment can be stopped?

[CoriM]

I look forward to hearing others replies as I'm in a similar situation. I have three and maybe a 4th duck in various stages of bumble and I've pretty much quit soaking because either the original scab I went into and pulled out infection has healed, but there's still a lump next to it, or just a small bump under it. I feel pretty lost on the bumblefoot but the ducks aren't really limping and seem normal enough. I am bringing Polly back into the vet today for the doxycyline injection because her whole toe is swollen, except the part right by the nail where the bumble started. I'll let you know what happens. A very expensive experiment.

 

[Ratchnick]

I think you need to check the feet regularly and if they start getting worse you need to intervene. If you have treated the bumble and kept it bandaged for 2 days or so my vet says if their is no more infected tissue the wound will pretty much be sealed and you can just monitor.

 

[cymbaline]

I look forward to hearing others replies as I'm in a similar situation. I have three and maybe a 4th duck in various stages of bumble and I've pretty much quit soaking because either the original scab I went into and pulled out infection has healed, but there's still a lump next to it, or just a small bump under it. I feel pretty lost on the bumblefoot but the ducks aren't really limping and seem normal enough. I am bringing Polly back into the vet today for the doxycyline injection because her whole toe is swollen, except the part right by the nail where the bumble started. I'll let you know what happens. A very expensive experiment.

Sounds like your situation is still really similar to mine! So at least one of yours also has a lump but the sore itself is healed...maybe that means it's normal/okay? I feel like if she's walking fine, eating fine, and generally acting like nothing is wrong, then I shouldn't worry too much...I think?
Ziggy and her swelling though...if it was closer to the bottom of her foot I'd be more inclined to think it was infection...I wonder if the sore can heal and leave a distant "pocket" of infection? Is that kind of what your vet thinks happened to Polly? The original sore healed but there was infection further up that spread?

 

[cymbaline]

I think you need to check the feet regularly and if they start getting worse you need to intervene. If you have treated the bumble and kept it bandaged for 2 days or so my vet says if their is no more infected tissue the wound will pretty much be sealed and you can just monitor.

The wound is definitely sealed on Ziggy - I can barely even tell where it was. But her ankle is still so swollen and she's limping so bad...if it's not infection further up then I guess maybe she's injured the joint somehow ..I dunno something's still wrong though.

 

[CoriM]

Yes, I think if she's limping and still so swollen you probably need to go the vet route. I'm sorry! Maybe something is wrong, not bumble, or maybe the infection has spread. They offered me an x-ray for $85 and if I was in your position I might try that as it's unclear.

 

[Ratchnick]

The wound is definitely sealed on Ziggy - I can barely even tell where it was. But her ankle is still so swollen and she's limping so bad...if it's not infection further up then I guess maybe she's injured the joint somehow ..I dunno something's still wrong though.

Your right, sounds like the infection is now systemic or its a physical injury.

 

[CoriM]

@cymbaline - Okay, just returned from the vet with Polly - of course can't go in and see the doc but we chatted on the phone. He spent most of the time telling me a story about a chicken that might actually benefit you. First he was concerned the Polly's swelling was over the joint, because infection in those areas is more worriesome. I will have to go back for one or two more injections. He told me about a chicken he's been working with for bumble. They did an x-ray of the whole leg and the knee showed some arthritis stuff (can't remember all his terminology). Anyway, they cured the bumble and it was completely healed, but the chicken was limping really badly and was brought back in for another x-ray. This x-ray showed infection and worsening of the arthritis in the knee. The vet told me that the infection had moved up there and it was tricky because it was a joint. I asked what treatment they were doing and he said more antibiotics - in a case like that he said weeks of antibiotics is usually necessary. This reminded me of your duck with her swelling and limping, although who knows? I hope you have an avian vet near you that could help you.

 

[cymbaline]

Yes, I think if she's limping and still so swollen you probably need to go the vet route. I'm sorry! Maybe something is wrong, not bumble, or maybe the infection has spread. They offered me an x-ray for $85 and if I was in your position I might try that as it's unclear.

It was like that when we were at the vet a couple weeks ago and she didn't say anything about it, but there was a lot going on and we didn't get to talk much.

@cymbaline - Okay, just returned from the vet with Polly - of course can't go in and see the doc but we chatted on the phone. He spent most of the time telling me a story about a chicken that might actually benefit you. First he was concerned the Polly's swelling was over the joint, because infection in those areas is more worriesome. I will have to go back for one or two more injections. He told me about a chicken he's been working with for bumble. They did an x-ray of the whole leg and the knee showed some arthritis stuff (can't remember all his terminology). Anyway, they cured the bumble and it was completely healed, but the chicken was limping really badly and was brought back in for another x-ray. This x-ray showed infection and worsening of the arthritis in the knee. The vet told me that the infection had moved up there and it was tricky because it was a joint. I asked what treatment they were doing and he said more antibiotics - in a case like that he said weeks of antibiotics is usually necessary. This reminded me of your duck with her swelling and limping, although who knows? I hope you have an avian vet near you that could help you.

That sounds spot on, maybe that's what's going on then. Guess we should try the antibiotics again. Thank you so much for sharing your vet's knowledge. The nearest actual avian vet is like an hour and a half away (and an x-ray there costs way more than $85!) - even the one I see is about a 40 minute drive, but she's more knowledgeable about ducks than most.

 

[CoriM]

Ugh, I'm so sorry about your vets and the money. I swear, I never dreamed I would end up taking even one duck to the vet and now I've been several times. I had read that they were so hardy! I wish you the best as you figure it out.

 

[cymbaline]

Ugh, I'm so sorry about your vets and the money. I swear, I never dreamed I would end up taking even one duck to the vet and now I've been several times. I had read that they were so hardy! I wish you the best as you figure it out.

Thank you - hope things start going better for you and your ducks soon!