Long lasting bumble foot

[Ruby243]

my ex battery hen caught bumble foot in September, and after a failed surgery the swelling appeared on her upper food/ ankle. She went through a weeks worth of antibiotics last month. We took her back to the vet today (not a poultry vet) who suggested putting her down but I thought I would try another week of antibiotics. She has swelling in her upper foot/ ankle, but no clear lumps or scabs to do surgery, so I’m not sure if it has progressed too deap? She stands on one foot and limps, but will still run for food and seems fine otherwise. The antibiotics state you should put it in her water, but would it be more effective to syringe it straight into her mouth? Is there hope in still trying or do you think the infection is too bad? Thanks for the help!

 

[coach723]

Pictures would be helpful. In september was there a scab or lesion on the foot? The swelling now is in a different place than the original issue and surgery? A picture of the antibiotic you are using, and the instructions given would be helpful also.

 

[Ruby243]

Pictures would be helpful. In september was there a scab or lesion on the foot? The swelling now is in a different place than the original issue and surgery? A picture of the antibiotic you are using, and the instructions given would be helpful also.

Yes there was a scab at the bottom of her foot which popped off without effort and lots of puss poured out (photo attached below after cleaned). The wound healed nicely but the swelling spread. The antibiotic is amoxinsol? We’re waiting to be sent the new batch and I don’t have the last one still, but I believe it said add 2ml to water per day for 6 days, however as she is in a larger flock we syringed it into her mouth daily to ensure she got it all. I wonder if we should separate her this time and add it to her water? Would this be more effective?

 

[coach723]

The medication may have been formulated, and dosed, to be mixed in a certain amount of water to get the correct dose in her. If you are giving direct, you need to know what the correct dose is for giving it that way, and how many times a day. I'm guessing it may be amoxicillin, but without seeing it, that's just a guess. Where are you, generally, in the world? Makes it easier to perhaps recommend things. Do you have a picture of the foot as it looks now? It didn't look too bad in the pictures above, but if all the infection wasn't out before it healed up, that may be the problem. Some bumblefoot tunnels into the tissue and can be hard to get it cleaned out well. It can also be very stubborn and not respond well to antibiotics.

 

[Ruby243]

The medication may have been formulated, and dosed, to be mixed in a certain amount of water to get the correct dose in her. If you are giving direct, you need to know what the correct dose is for giving it that way, and how many times a day. I'm guessing it may be amoxicillin, but without seeing it, that's just a guess. Where are you, generally, in the world? Makes it easier to perhaps recommend things. Do you have a picture of the foot as it looks now? It didn't look too bad in the pictures above, but if all the infection wasn't out before it healed up, that may be the problem. Some bumblefoot tunnels into the tissue and can be hard to get it cleaned out well. It can also be very stubborn and not respond well to antibiotics.

The above picture on the top is her foot currently. We’re in England, and the vet gave us a ready made solution with the exact amount (2ml per day). It was a liquid solution which didn’t give a measurement of water to be mixed with:/

 

[coach723]

So if the instructions were to give 2ml of the medication daily, that is what I would do. If it didn't say to mix it with water, then I would just give that amount directly to her orally. If the instructions were unclear then I would call them and get clarification so you are sure you are giving it correctly with the correct dose.
If there are no visible lesions then I would start doing daily warm epsom salt soaks to that foot, see if it helps any. I have dealt with enough bumblefoot to usually be able to feel it and tell if there is something there that can be lanced and cleaned out, but since I can't feel your bird I don't know if that's the case. Try the soaks and see if there is any improvement.

 

[Joyze172]

I would give the meds per Dr, soak foot in Epsom salt and wRm water for 30 min twice a day, then wash with a chlorahexidine soap, let dry, put Neosporin or Pride (drawing salve) on a gauze then place on the open areas and gently wrap up. Keep her in a separate clean area such as a wire dog crate. This technique helps it heal with the medication you are giving.