How much epsom salt per cup?

[Fawkes]

I've always used 1 gallon of water when mixing up epsom salt for bumblefoot soaking, but I need a smaller amount right now and I'm not sure what the dosage is? 1 teaspoon of epsom salt for 1 cup of water? That's what I go by for a regular saline solution for putting on cuts etc...

 

[TonaLee]

Thank you -- For several years I hatched chickens and ducks in my classroom. A novel we read was about a girl who hatched for a science project -- so, we incubated and hatched as we read the novel. It was a wonderful experience, but I always gave the ducklings and chicks to the high school science teacher - who has a farm. This past year was my last year of teaching and I decided to build a "Duckingham Palace" and keep three of the thirty-six we hatched at school. I probably am not telling you something you did not know, but they are a lot of work!!! This past winter was a challenge. I have electricity, but no water. So, carrying water in buckets daily was truly a pain! But, their house is great - an enclosed "house" with radiant heaters and a fan - an outside elevated area with a stock tank, a downstairs area and then the fenced in area with another stock tank. They have a small pond with a waterfall that I am emptying and cleaning every three weeks. I am sure you know how difficult it is to keep a filter clean with ducks! With all that -- they still want to be up with us at the "big" house! Now for the bumbles. I so want to avoid cutting. Keeping her dry and away from the other two would be quite difficult - and when I took her to the vet, I really thought she was going to have a heart attack -- me as well! So, again thanks for the compliment and I will keep you all posted on her ongoing saga. BYC forum is such a wonderful resource with absolutely terrific people!

 

[Amiga]

I generally do a tablespoon per cup.

 

[TonaLee]

I have been soaking with Epsom Salt, scrubbing with Betadine, applying Neosporin since January. My vet suggested starting Oxytetracycline - I have read that antibiotics are not that effective. So, not an answer about Epsom Salt, but I sure am frustrated. I have tried Tricide Neo, Clear Iodine, Veterycin -- you name it and her feet are not any better. I am so reluctant to take her in for debridement -- she was extremely stressed when I took her in January. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. I was hoping the Epsom Salts and then clear iodine was the magic elixir. I am very frustrated, nervous and apprehensive about cutting her feet or having the vet do it.

 

[Amiga]

Is there something still in the foot/feet?

 

[Fawkes]

Thanks Amiga!

TonaLee, that sounds so frustrating. I'm sorry you haven't been able to get rid of the bumblefoot yet. Hopefully someone will have some suggestions.

Where and on what is she being housed? Sometimes when ducks have bumblefoot they need to be brought indoors and kept on towels (fleece is what I'm using and it seems to work well too) so as to keep their feet clean, dry, and off hard surfaces. Some people also house them in a cage indoors, such as a dog crate, to limit their movement I think. I don't know if you're doing any of this yet but if not hopefully this will help.

 

[TonaLee]

Thank you for getting back to me. She lives in a lovely house with straw bedding. The house opens into an area that has a wire floor that I have covered in rubber mats. The bottom of the coop does have pea gravel, but my ducks do not spend much time in that area. They are on grass most of the day, or in their pond - or stock tanks. I first noticed the bumbles in late January when she had come up on the deck. The scabs are black (one on each foot) and the area underneath the scabs seems pliable. I have picked at various times and there has been blood. Like I said earlier, I have tried probably every remedy I have read about - short of cutting. My vet encourages me to pick at the scabs and when I took her in, he did not seem to think they were bad enough to require debriding. I hope someone can give me some credible ideas. I do have (of course I have it - LOL) clear iodine and don't quite understand the soak with Epsom Salts then apply the iodine and leave it alone for several days? Is that correct? So, after this long litany, thank you again. I look forward to any non-invasive suggestions members may have. Oh - I do have bird booties, but wrestling with her to get them on is yet another story!

 

[lovemy6hens]

I have been soaking with Epsom Salt, scrubbing with Betadine, applying Neosporin since January.  My vet suggested starting Oxytetracycline - I have read that antibiotics are not that effective.  So, not an answer about Epsom Salt, but I sure am frustrated.  I have tried Tricide Neo, Clear Iodine, Veterycin -- you name it and her feet are not any better.  I am so reluctant to take her in for debridement -- she was extremely stressed when I took her in January.  Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.  I was hoping the Epsom Salts and then clear iodine was the magic elixir.  I am very frustrated, nervous and apprehensive about cutting her feet or having the vet do it.  

Applying hydrocolloid patches were the key to healing for our girls. They are non-medicated.

http://www.amazon.com/Nexcare-Absorbing-Cover-Sizes-Count/dp/B00BRGUNV2

 

[TonaLee]

Thank you -- I just looked them up -- they are an acne treatment, right? And did you cover the foot after applying the patches? Again -- so thankful for any ideas.....I am about tapped out!

 

[lovemy6hens]

Thank you -- I just looked them up -- they are an acne treatment, right?  And did you cover the foot after applying the patches?  Again -- so thankful for any ideas.....I am about tapped out!

You're welcome. Yes, they're marketed for acne but are just small, round hydrocolloid patches. The package comes with two sizes, conveniently sized for a chicken's foot pad.
We removed the lesions, applied the pads, added padding, then wrapped the feet. The area has to be clean and dry for it to stick, so don't use any ointment.