infection setting in? PIC

[CMV]

Nice work. Let us know how she does.

 

[holyhart]

I unwrapped Mary's foot today. It is less swollen, but I believe that maybe there is still some infection or bumble in it. She is no longer limping though.

top of foot


inside of toe


outside/top of toe


bottom of foot




So, as you can see it is less swollen, but do you think it is healing enough? Or do I need to go back in and dig around for more bumble? I'm thinking yes, but REALLY hoping no!

 

[TheJadeChicken]

I was thinking Bumblefoot myself on the second set of photos. It looks like it still have more in it. I would squeeze some more out of it. But that is just my opinion.

 

[ChicknThief]

Yup, I would do another operation. Still looks pretty nasty in there.

 

[holyhart]

That's what I was afraid of. So how do I know if I have actually removed the whole thing? I really really really don't want to have to do this again in a few more days!

 

[sharol]

I don't think you can be sure until you see the long term results. I suspect that many chickens have bumblefoot (undiagnosed) because no one looks at their feet. I was in a panic last year when I operated on my EE's feet. She still has small spots a year later, but she seems to be doing OK in spite of the thing. WE got past the acute condition and now it is more ongoing. I suspect she will eventually die WITH it rather than FROM it.

Good luck. I would probably take another shot at her foot, too. Some of the infection may be from the damage done by the initial injury that was made worse by existing bumblefoot infection.

As a continuing medication, I spray my chickens' feet a couple of times a week (after they are on the roost) with Vetericyn Wound % Infection Care (the liquid, not the jell). It isn't cheap, but our local farm store has it at the same price as Amazon (~$30) so I don't have to order it (for the 16 oz spray bottle). The other advantage is that the stuff works on my Golden Retriever's hot spots.

Sharol

 

[nakstk]

I wonder if soaking it is epsom salt water would help it any?

 

[holyhart]

Ok, so another question I have is am I going to be doing further damage to her broken toe by digging around IN her toe? Obviously a staph infection is worse than a broken toe, so I need to do it. How do you know when you are not grabbing bumble, but are grabbing bone or the base of the toenail?

If anyone had told me 5 years ago that I would own chickens, I would have thought "eh...maybe, but doubtful.", if they had said I would cut open one of these chickens feet, not once but twice (and hopefully no more!) to perform surgery on said chicken...I would have replied "not a chance in H..E..double hockey sticks!"

 

[holyhart]

Actually I thought of another question before I do this tomorrow. Should I cut into the same two spots I cut into already, or should I go into a different spot, say along the top where it looks the most swollen? Or if I make a different inscision, does that just make healing more difficult and more likely for another infection to set in since this all seemed to start with a cut anyhow? I feel like a dog chasing my tail here!

 

[CMV]

I think I would try the non-surgical option at this point. The goal is to get rid of the infection without damaging the already injured foot. Digging around and squeezing on an injury may cause more problems in the long run. I am just thinking that you don't want the infection getting forced into the bones. If that happens then the foot is as good as lost.