Is this bumble foot?!

[Dynasty and Delta]

Hello BYC, I have two wonderful ducks that I suspect have bumble foot or little sores on their feet. They have had the little tan bumps for about two months now and since I am new duck owner thought it was normal. The two months leading up today they have acted normal by eating, drinking, playing, swimming, flying, and even running. I don't think they even feel what's on their feet. But, recently I have been reading and read more on bumble foot and looked up if my ducks had it. I found in other article(on a different site)that a woman had a similar issue that I have and the bumps looked the same. Apparently the expert that responded to her said that they were just sores and all she had to do was soak their feet in epsom salt and bandage them. So is this bumble foot or sores, and how do I treat it? And is it deadly?!

 

[DuneDucks]

Bumblefoot, like any other infection, can potentially be deadly if left untreated. Your duck's feet look good to me though. Might be a small scrape/puncture on the heel, a bit blurry so it's hard to tell, but no bumble that I can see. It would be an extremely mild case if so. It's also possible for bumble to form under the skin/scales, but I'd agree those are probably just sores.

I would probably just give them a few soaks. If they've looked like that for a couple months without getting any worse I don't think you'd have to bandage them or anything.

 

[Dynasty and Delta]

Bumblefoot, like any other infection, can potentially be deadly if left untreated. Your duck's feet look good to me though. Might be a small scrape/puncture on the heel, a bit blurry so it's hard to tell, but no bumble that I can see. It would be an extremely mild case if so. It's also possible for bumble to form under the skin/scales, but I'd agree those are probably just sores.

I would probably just give them a few soaks. If they've looked like that for a couple months without getting any worse I don't think you'd have to bandage them or anything.

Thank you, knowing that my ducks life or welfare is not at risk I can definitely relax a bit. I will soak their feet in epsom salt for thirty minutes before they go to bed. I will do this for a week. Thanks once again.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

That's definitely Bumble but a mild case. Keep an eye on it. If it gets worse you will need to get them some Bactrim.

 

[CoriM]

I would not be too concerned, especially if the spots haven't change for two months. What I do for a very mild bumblefoot case, or one where I'm worried it might become bumblefoot is just use a toothbrush dipped in colorless iodine and give the areas a little scrub a couple times a day, just keeping them out of the water for ten minutes or so after. Doing it right before bedtime helps with that. Soaking 30 minutes is probably overdoing it and might be hard to get your duck to cooperate that long as well! I think their feet look pretty good, just always good to check regularly and keep an eye to make sure things don't change.

 

[Dynasty and Delta]

Thank you all for the helpful responses. What I will do today is buy some colorless iodine and Bactrim. I will apply them both to my ducks feet by gently scrubbing it on for a few seconds and I will do this twice a day for a week. If I don't see any improvement with the Bactrim or iodine I will resort to soaking. Thanks once again you all are really helpful.

 

[CoriM]

Sounds like a good plan. They are super cute, and look like happy ducks!

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Bactrim is ingested. It is also called SMZ/Tmp. You will probably need to get it from a vet. The colorless iodine you can get at Wal-Mart in the toe fungus section.

 

[Dynasty and Delta]

Bactrim is ingested. It is also called SMZ/Tmp. You will probably need to get it from a vet. The colorless iodine you can get at Wal-Mart in the toe fungus section.

Oh I thought I could rub the bactrim on the bottom of their feet. So, how do I get them to eat it and would this bactrim work or is it to strong and will harm them? Or do you think I should just get the colorless iodine and rub it on their feet twice a day and not bother with the bactrim?

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Since you have a mild case, I would start with the iodine. Just put it directly on the bumps. Its supposed to draw out infection. Bactrim comes in a pink suspension and you squirt it in using a syringe. I don't know a way of getting it without a vet. You will only need it if things get worse. Keep me posted with how things are going and ill try to help.