Is this a bumblefoot kernel?

[A Swede in France]

Ursula says hi and thanks for all the input

 

[A Swede in France]

Here again with an update. We treated Ursula again tonight. It's been long because other calamities and life got in the way. This time there was definitely a scab separate from the kernel so now I understand better. I think I was lucky the first time because it all just came out in one go. This time I had to work on it for a long time feeling kind of awful about the pain I was causing her.

Anyway, this time I have pictures with scab before starting, with scab off, and with kernel out. It bled a lot less than last time. I'm not sure if that's because it's healing, or because I didn't get enough out. What do you think? I know it's hard to tell from a picture but do you think it's clean enough or should I have dug out cut more out? One thing that worries me is that the hole is bigger on the inside than the outside, if that makes sense, as if the kernel was wider than the opening in the skin so now there's a pocket. Not sure if I'm explaining that well at all

Starting the treatment, scab on

Scab off, kernel still there

Kernel out-ish. I think I could have done more but hubby had enough. This doesn't look like healthy wound that will heal fast to me. But we packed it full of disinfectant and wrapped her up. Will try to take a look in two days, and before the whole thing gets so set and solid again.

 

[ManueB]

Here again with an update. We treated Ursula again tonight. It's been long because other calamities and life got in the way. This time there was definitely a scab separate from the kernel so now I understand better. I think I was lucky the first time because it all just came out in one go. This time I had to work on it for a long time feeling kind of awful about the pain I was causing her.

Anyway, this time I have pictures with scab before starting, with scab off, and with kernel out. It bled a lot less than last time. I'm not sure if that's because it's healing, or because I didn't get enough out. What do you think? I know it's hard to tell from a picture but do you think it's clean enough or should I have dug out cut more out? One thing that worries me is that the hole is bigger on the inside than the outside, if that makes sense, as if the kernel was wider than the opening in the skin so now there's a pocket. Not sure if I'm explaining that well at all

Starting the treatment, scab on

View attachment 3883578

Scab off, kernel still there

View attachment 3883579

Kernel out-ish. I think I could have done more but hubby had enough. This doesn't look like healthy wound that will heal fast to me. But we packed it full of disinfectant and wrapped her up. Will try to take a look in two days, and before the whole thing gets so set and solid again.
View attachment 3883580

How is it and how is Ursula now ? I agree it did look quite swollen and like there was more left, so you may need to empty it again.
When I had trouble getting all the pus out and wasn't sure it was enough, I was given the advice to stop only when it began bleeding.

For some of my chickens it took months and several debriding before the swelling went down, while it was much quicker for others. Don't be discouraged if it's long.

If you still have the feeling that there is a pocket inside the scab, you need to find the right tool with a curved end, straight tweezers will not be very efficient. I used a stainless steel ear cleaner because I had it on hand, but I think there are nail pedicure tools or surgical tools sold online that are better.

 

[A Swede in France]

How is it and how is Ursula now ? I agree it did look quite swollen and like there was more left, so you may need to empty it again.
When I had trouble getting all the pus out and wasn't sure it was enough, I was given the advice to stop only when it began bleeding.

For some of my chickens it took months and several debriding before the swelling went down, while it was much quicker for others. Don't be discouraged if it's long.

If you still have the feeling that there is a pocket inside the scab, you need to find the right tool with a curved end, straight tweezers will not be very efficient. I used a stainless steel ear cleaner because I had it on hand, but I think there are nail pedicure tools or surgical tools sold online that are better.
View attachment 3888684

Hi, and thanks for your kind thoughts and advice!

Ursula seems fine but then she never seemed in pain or bothered by the foot. For now I'm just disinfecting and wrapping to give it a chance to heal a bit more (hopefully) before doing another full treatment. My feeling from looking at it, is that one side of the hole is healing better while the other remains deep. From the way it looks, I'd say there is another kernel forming. Poor girl, it must be horrible and painful when I dig around in her foot like that, I am not looking forward to doing it again

This was two days after the latest treatment. The side I think is healing better is to the right, where the scab / kernel seems thinner

 

[A Swede in France]

Hi everyone and thanks for all your help. Ursula's foot is now healed! There's just a shiny patch where the scab used to be. She did most of it herself, we just monitored and decided to not dig around in her foot again as long as it didn't look inflamed and the scab looked like it was shrinking and loosening. To give the wound an actual chance to heal. I'm so grateful she's ok

 

[ManueB]

Hi everyone and thanks for all your help. Ursula's foot is now healed! There's just a shiny patch where the scab used to be. She did most of it herself, we just monitored and decided to not dig around in her foot again as long as it didn't look inflamed and the scab looked like it was shrinking and loosening. To give the wound an actual chance to heal. I'm so grateful she's ok

Great news, I'm happy for Ursula ! Shows us that sometimes less intervention is best .