Is this bumblefoot or something else?

[MrBoZiffer]

I'm a relative newbie here, and this is my first encounter with a foot problem. Our 3 year old australorp has had a swollen foot for a couple of weeks now. Sometimes she limps, sometimes she doesn't. I've been soaking it in epsom salt hot water, applying neosporin, and spraying Vetricyn. It's not getting better, but not getting worse either. I suppose surgery is in her future.

However, can y'all confirm that it looks like bumblefoot before I start lancing her? There's no prominent scar on the bottom. There is, as you can hopefully see, a small wound, but I'm not sure how to approach it. Is this still a situation where surgery is necessary? Or should I wait to see if a plug/scab forms?

Thanks,
John

 

[nipper75]

I believe Bumble foot is on the bottom. Not like your picture. That may be an infected injury or growth of some sort. Surprised to hear that the Epsom salt isn't working. Are you putting it on as a paste?

 

[Eggcessive]

There is a faint spot on the pad of the foot. That could be bumblefoot. I would google some pictures of it to know what to look for. The upper part of the foot looks odd for bumblefoot though--haven't seen that. Chickens can get gout, too.

 

[BCbirder]

I have some hens that seem to have more sensitive feet. I have cut them open when they get puffy like that and one time I didn't get around to it and they healed up on their own. It usually always was in response to a thorn or something poking into their feet.
Epson salts are great and then clean bedding if possible. It may take time but it should clear up.

THe only time when it was a problem was when the thorn was under a toenail and the rooster kept the wound open whenever he scratched, which was all the time. He got blood poisoning and his leg got swollen. If the leg looks fine I am sure it will get better on it's own. If it looks like there is any other swelling then it is pretty easy to cut it open, I use -2-3 bandaids afterwards to keep it clean until it closes up.

 

[MrBoZiffer]

Thanks for the input. I'll keep trying to soak it and keep it clean. Hopefully it'll heal up before I decide to try cutting it open.

Also, I'm not sure if this is part of her problem or just a coincidence, but lately the feathers under her vent have fallen out and the skin is a bit red. What should I make of this, if anything? I've tried keeping the area clean, but I'm worried it may indicate an infection of some sort.

Thanks.

 

[nipper75]

Did you check for mites and/or lice?

 

[MrBoZiffer]

No mites or lice. I checked. Plus, I've got clean bedding and DE. I'm beginning to think she is egg bound, so I'll need to keep an eye on her, and give her more baths.

 

[nipper75]

Good Luck... Let us know how everything turns out!

 

[MrBoZiffer]

After my last post, my wife told me that hen did lay en egg. It's very pale and has a thin shell. It certainly looks like an egg bound egg. I'll see if she lays again today or tomorrow.

After numerous epsom salt baths and topicals, the redness and swelling are slowing going down. Her butt might be bald but it's clean and flesh-colored. The wound on the bottom of her foot is disappearing, and the swelling is reducing. I've got a wrap on her foot now.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed, but hopefully we're going to avoid bumblefoot. If anything comes up I'll let ya'll know. Thanks for the help.

 

[MrBoZiffer]

For the most part our hen has been doing better, but her foot is still showing signs of bumblefoot. Overall, the swelling has gone down and she's very mobile. However, she still has a small scab on the bottom and this pimple-looking thing on top. What do ya'll think? Time for surgery? If so, should I just cut into this "pimple"? Thanks.