Need advice ASAP -- *warning* graphical pictures / Bumblefoot ---

[CrotonChickens]

All,

We have performed the 'surgery' three times now on our girl Eagle. While it doesn't seem to be getting worse, it's not getting better. Her foot (as you can see from the images) is very very very swollen, and the swelling is not going away. There doesn't seem to be any puss or 'kernel' in it as I made a small slice right in the center of the swelling and all that came out was blood.

This last time there was mostly blood and very very little puss, no cheesy stuff, etc. Although if you look closely it SEEMS like there is a kernel to the left, but I tried and tried and dug and dug and could not lodge it free.

Any advice? Do we keep trying it? If so, how often? We have been soaking in epsom salts, then cutting, digging, cleaning, triple-ointment, wrap, etc. and we have separated her from the rest of the flock. She doesn't seem to be in pain after we have wrapped her up and is eating/drinking/etc.

We really don't want to put her down but we are not farmers -- we are suburban chicken owners with fulltime jobs and don't have the time to do the surgery every-other day. I know that sounds harsh, but it takes about 2-2 1/2 hours each time we have done it.

Any advice at all? I know sometimes it takes a long long time for it to go away and we are willing to keep at it if anyone thinks it will make a difference.

Thank you!!!

/Gillian & Richard

 

[TwoCrows]

I think it might be time to start her on some antibiotics. Normally they are not needed for bumblefoot, but this is an extreme case. Is there swelling at the toe joint as well?

If you have any Baytril or Penicillin, you might want to get her started on it. Keep her on them for at least 14 days and see what it does. If you do not see any improvements after one week, then stop. IF you see improvements, do not stop until she recuperates, or the infection can come back twice as bad.

If you can get your hands on some Lincomycin, (it kills bacteria on contact), squirt that down into the wounds daily, as it gets into every tissue in the foot and can kick butt on infections.

Until then, keep it wrapped and dry every day. Pack the wound with Neosprorin AND Preparation H. Rub the entire foot with the Prep H. It will help reduce swelling. Drain any pus you see daily. Squeeze it, work it, pack it and wrap it. You can also give her half a baby asprin now, and one before roosting time.

You might want to keep her in a cage at roosting time with no roost bar for a while so she can lay down at night instead of using that foot.

 

[CrotonChickens]

Thank you -- where do we get penicillin or Baytril?

 

[TwoCrows]

Here is a link to where I get all my meds....

Tablets...
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/index.php?cPath=21_30

Injectables...
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/index.php?cPath=21_31

Most feed stores carry injectable penicillin in their refrig section, if you are comfortable with injections.

 

[chickngal98]

I just went through my first surgery yesterday with my hen, Hopper. I got a lot of junk out of her foot. Today, I will soak her again. Your hen's foot looks a lot like mine did. Good luck, twocrowsranch has been helping me out with advice and I greatly appreciate it! Let us know how she is doing in a day or two!