Normal healing after bumblefoot

[GonzoTheGreat]

I know the process to remove bumblefoot is pretty well covered here, and I've read about a dozen of those threads, but I'm trying to figure out what "successful" healing should look like.

We just checked it the next day to change the bandage, and the wound is white-ish looking. Is that just the scab forming? Or is that a sign the infection is still there? The swollen foot pad looks smaller, she seems to be walking around fine, and just laid an egg, so no bigger concerns right now.

This is the first bird we've had to treat (got through one year without needing to play avian vet), and we thought we did it right the first time but it is back. So now we're second guessing ourselves.

This second time there was not a "kernel", but white stringy pus that came out after taking off the black scab. It seems like we got all the white stuff out and were left with a red hole. We put antibiotic ointment on there, some gauze, and wrapped in vet wrap. She did have some redness on the top of her foot, which makes me wonder if there is something "deeper", but also thought it could be from the swelling and skin on skin rubbing against her toe. We cleaned out some dirt that was in the toe crevice there and are watching it.

Appreciate the insight anyone has.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

You have a picture? I've had bumblefoot come back so I could probably tell you if it's looking normal or not. My vet said usually after a surgery it comes back. I've seen loads and loads of posts regarding surgeries and removal but rarely much follow up with whether or not it comes back.

 

[GonzoTheGreat]

You have a picture? I've had bumblefoot come back so I could probably tell you if it's looking normal or not. My vet said usually after a surgery it comes back. I've seen loads and loads of posts regarding surgeries and removal but rarely much follow up with whether or not it comes back.

I didn't take a photo today. I will have to wait until tomorrow and the next bandage change. She isn't a fan of being grabbed for treatment, so I wouldn't want to do it twice in a day.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I didn't take a photo today. I will have to wait until tomorrow and the next bandage change. She isn't a fan of being grabbed for treatment, so I wouldn't want to do it twice in a day.

When do you change her bandage? Easiest time is after they've settled on the roost for the night. She will be nice and sleepy. Wrap her up like a burrito with a towel and bring her inside. Reward her with some treats if you want then put her back on the roost.

 

[GonzoTheGreat]

When do you change her bandage? Easiest time is after they've settled on the roost for the night. She will be nice and sleepy. Wrap her up like a burrito with a towel and bring her inside. Reward her with some treats if you want then put her back on the roost.

I usually do that, but in the middle of summer, they are going to bed later and I've been trying to get it done earlier in the evening. Did it this morning today just because there are storms in the forecast in the afternoon/evening.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I usually do that, but in the middle of summer, they are going to bed later and I've been trying to get it done earlier in the evening. Did it this morning today just because there are storms in the forecast in the afternoon/evening.

I totally understand you there. My bedtime is barely after the birds go to bed.

 

[Jmjlori]

My girl’s bumble foot is back. I got out what I could (no kernel) and treated her with prid last Fall for what seemed like forever. Took her to the vet and he just gave us children’s bubblegum antibiotics . I gave her colloidal silver on bread instead (they all ate it, of course—I was “over” grabbing her from the coop daily). I haven’t given her anything for a few months but I checked her feet once a few weeks ago when I was inspecting her for possible water belly. Her feet were enlarged a bit, but looked well otherwise. I had read sometimes they can heal and just form a “permanent kernel” inside. Since I always look at their feet when I throw them scratch, I noticed her door looked a bit swollen between her toes yesterday. Sure enough! Today, it looks like she has two red bumps between her toes. I gave her a bunch of colloidal silver today. That’s all I’m going to do daily and see what happens. Our rooster is “came into his own” over the winter, and he gets mad when I mess with the girls. Not fun dealing with him now, too.

 

[EllieandOlive]

We had the previous owner of our property leave a bunch of old glass jars in the fields and the barn, and they were tilled into the soil long before we bought the property. This means that where my chickens scratch around there is literally every day another couple dozen bits of shattered glass coming through. This has caused bumble foot to be the main issue we deal with health wise with my 40 some birds. That said, I've see it all at this point. I've had them heal up well with a bit of a scar/uneven skin patter where the bumblefoot was at. I can go take pictures of some of the healed feet! Usually for me it comes back but much smaller, and after treating it again then they heal up. The biggest thing is keeping out all the yuck of the bandaged foot while it heals.

 

[EllieandOlive]

Here is the before healing. This hen was one of the worst. Her foot looks brand new now!

I've since had a rooster get it so terribly that I am considering amputation for his leg. The infection was so bad it literally ate up 2 of his toes and filled his 'ankle' with a massive core and pus. I've given him antibiotics and treated him continuously. There is still corn issues in several spots. But I like him so we want to keep him. I just hate him limping. He had a malformed leg as a chick injury, and has limped his whole life. That's why this bumble foot became so out of control. It's only when I systematically inspected every birds feet a few months ago that I discovered it.