Ideas on End of Toe Bumblefoot Treatment

[HeatherKellyB]

My little Buff Duck, TomTom, must have had a splinter or something on the top of her inside toe, right behind the toenail that turned into an infection (bumblefoot). Last night we got a chunk of hardened pus out but I just can't figure out a way to keep antibiotic ointment on the wound and keep infection out. She free ranges on my pond during the day and is not happy with being kept in my fenced yard. How would you proceed? Let her do as she likes and treat with ointment morning and night as she is locked up at night? Something different?

 

[Isaac 0]

Could you post a picture of her toe, so we can get an idea of how bad it is? Preferably she be on clean dry soft ground for a week or so until the wound starts to heal back up, and of course, apply the ointment daily. Letting her roam the yard with an open wound, that is in constant contact with germs and bacteria is just not advised, I know it can be quite stressful for you and her keeping her penned, but it so this doesn't happen again.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

 

[HeatherKellyB]

We had to make a small cut to get the pus out, but it wasn't really large enough for a stitch, at least I didn't think it was. It was hollow after getting the pus out last night. I just have no idea how to proceed. I've been able to get pus out before but it wasn't solid like the mass was last night.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Thank you for your assistance, @Isaac 0 ,i really appreciate your help

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Also, do you feel like I should begin an antibiotic, given the difficult location?

 

[Isaac 0]

Hmm... Missed that part where you said it was on top of the toe, I've never seen it in that particular area before, you say there was a black core? It doesn't look too bad, so I think a week or so of keeping penned up on soft/clean/dry bedding, she would be able to get back to free-ranging again, and, since you got most of the puss out, I would be diligent and start applying an antibacterial ointment or spray once or two times a day on the wound. From the picture, I don't think an antibiotic would be needed, but if the swelling appears to be getting bigger, or pain becomes more evident it may be something that needs to be reconsidered.

I will get a second eye and this and see what @Miss Lydia thinks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’m with @Isaac 0 keep her an a friend on clean bedding until this heals, there is just much nasty bacteria out there to step in

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Yes there was a black core. The pus was about the size of a baby sweet pea.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

So there's probably no good way to wrap this to keep ointment on it, right? Poor girl. She lost her Pekin "husband" about 2 weeks ago and now this. I am amazed at her resilience. Animals are amazing