Is this bumblefoot?

[Mamatomany123]

If you have help, someone could try holding her while standing up so her feet dangle. You could work from below to bandage her feet.

That's what we are planning for tonight. Husband will hold her and I'll bandage her. I'm sure she'll thank me by pooping on me

 

[DaisyG2317]

Looks like it to me, but I am not too experienced with it

 

[Mamatomany123]

Yup, that's bumblefoot. Good article on it and treatment options here.

It can take a while to heal because it heals from the inside out. It'll require multiple soaks and daily wrap changes. Through the soaks and the Neo, the scab will naturally loosen and then you can try to remove it and the attached core. The core is the hardened infection.

Some people use antibiotics - like Baytril or Clavamox - and an anti-inflammatory - like Metacam. But soaking and wrapping should take care of it so just be patient. It's a gnarly infection.

So I dont pull the scab off after the soak? The videos i watched said to soak it for 15-20 minutes then pull the scab off. I dont want to make it worse.

Also should I separate her or just watch to be sure the others arent pecking at her foot?

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Correct. Do not mess with the scab until it is ready to come out naturally. Pulling the scab before it's ready could result in the core staying in the foot. If you don't get all of the core, the infection will reoccur.

If the wrapping is good and the weather isn't too crummy - damp, wet - she can go back outside with her flock. Do keep an eye on her to make sure she's not getting picked on. Being away from her flock can be stressful and the impedes the healing process.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Correct. Do not mess with the scab until it is ready to come out naturally. Pulling the scab before it's ready could result in the core staying in the foot. If you don't get all of the core, the infection will reoccur.

If the wrapping is good and the weather isn't too crummy - damp, wet - she can go back outside with her flock. Do keep an eye on her to make sure she's not getting picked on. Being away from her flock can be stressful and the impedes the healing process.

We're in west texas so still pretty dry. Would this cause her to start sleeping on the poop boards instead of roosting? I noticed it the other night which is why I was sure to check her foot

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

It can be an uncomfortable condition - much like a plantar's wart in a person. If the roosts are high, it can hurt getting up and down. If it's round, it may hurt her toes, given where the scab is located.

If possible, try to keep her off the poop board or clean it more frequently. Standing in it could soak through her bandage and worsen the infection.

It's good that you checked her foot. Have you checked your other chickens for it?

I have a roo with chronic bumblefoot (heavy breed meets rocky soil/poorly cleaned up construction tear-down site) and it is no fun. It took five or six weeks, two vet visits, a month in the house, daily antibiotics, pain meds, foot soaks and flushing/draining to clear up. I suspect he has arthritis in his foot now.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Padding definitely helps to take the pressure off. Keep us updated on their progress!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Padding definitely helps to take the pressure off. Keep us updated on their progress!

I will! I didnt soak too long tonight because by the time I got the neosporin and wrapping it was a bit late. I'll soak for a bit longer in the morning and then again tomorrow evening. If infection gets bad and they need antibiotics can I purchase it from TSC? No limping or acting abnormal so I think I caught it a bit early.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

My TSC doesn't carry antibiotics per state law so I have to get them from the vet. My vet usually gives Baytril or Clavamox. You may be able to purchase online without a script. However, there are egg withdrawal periods for antibiotics.

If Neo stops working you can switch it up with PRID or an Epsom Salt Poultice. I use silver sulfadiazine cream from the vet when neo loses its effectiveness.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Got her to soak for about 20 minutes in a warm water and Epsom salt bath. She enjoyed it. Noticed the start of another one on her other foot so am treating it also. My other EE also has 2 small ones of both feet. Is this common in EEs? None of my other 9 birds have any issues.