Possible bumblefoot

[lin1pe]

Hi. I found one of my hens a few days ago with what I think is bumblefoot. I have never had to deal with this before. I got a huge chunk out of the bottom of her foot a couple days ago after soaking it in Epsom salt for 20 or so minutes. She has a blister on the top of her foot as well. After soaking her foot, I sprayed the hole in her foot with wound spray put some bag balm on it then I put some gauze on it and then wrapped it and put her back outside. I did that twice the first day once yesterday and then this morning I took the bandage off and put her in a pen by herself so the wound can air out. Any suggestions on how to better care for this? She is otherwise healthy eating, drinking, walking around. Please see the photos I attached the first few are from the first day then the other ones are from yesterday.

 

[TesoroSena]

Definitely bumble. Soak it in epsom salt, then pullout the corn, which is the little black scab, carefully with tweezers. Then let puss come out, then wrap in a bandage wrap.

 

[lin1pe]

Definitely bumble. Soak it in epsom salt, then pullout the corn, which is the little black scab, carefully with tweezers. Then let puss come out, then wrap in a bandage wrap.

Okay. I pulled out one big chunk. The other black is flat. I'll see if I can get some more of it off. No puss came out beside what was stuck to the black scab. What can I do for the blister on the top of her foot? Will that just go away on its own? Also, is it okay for her to be with her flock or does she need to be separated?

 

[lin1pe]

Updated photo of her foot this evening. I'm not sure if it's getting better or worse

 

[Chicken poppy]

Okay. I pulled out one big chunk. The other black is flat. I'll see if I can get some more of it off. No puss came out beside what was stuck to the black scab. What can I do for the blister on the top of her foot? Will that just go away on its own? Also, is it okay for her to be with her flock or does she need to be separated?

I left mine with the flock but it was less significant then yours. Please keep this in mind if you do:

Rods will make the foot hurt worse and i imagine her balance would be bad so you should make her sleep in a different spot

Anything rocky like some concrete will hurt her and can cause her to limp.

It will need a wrap and dustbathing/scratching if it makes it through the wrap (because it usually will) will infect it again. I think it’s easier to do a few day seperation.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Here is recommendations i got from a vet! This seemed to help mine so i think it could help yours too.

Apply a antibiotic like terramycin. I wrap my girls foot like so:

cotton pad with drawing salve/ terramycin. (Something else that i can’t remember, i’ll try and find it) put this woven cotton pad square on the “hole” then wrap with vet wrap. I first cut it in half, then wrap it around the foot. I then cut it even smaller to fit in between all the toes to secure it in place well. Make sure she can not ingest it, they will try tugging it off and will succeed if it isn’t tight enough.

Keep us updated, i will try and find the names of the other supplies i used to treat her.

 

[lin1pe]

I left mine with the flock but it was less significant then yours. Please keep this in mind if you do:

Rods will make the foot hurt worse and i imagine her balance would be bad so you should make her sleep in a different spot

Anything rocky like some concrete will hurt her and can cause her to limp.

It will need a wrap and dustbathing/scratching if it makes it through the wrap (because it usually will) will infect it again. I think it’s easier to do a few day seperation.

I have her separated and will leave her on her own for a few days. I have it wrapped pretty well so it won't get dirty. There is starting to be more white in the blister on the top of her foot. The whole where I took a big chuck out a few days ago is filling back in with black.

 

[lin1pe]

Here is recommendations i got from a vet! This seemed to help mine so i think it could help yours too.

Apply a antibiotic like terramycin. I wrap my girls foot like so:

cotton pad with drawing salve/ terramycin. (Something else that i can’t remember, i’ll try and find it) put this woven cotton pad square on the “hole” then wrap with vet wrap. I first cut it in half, then wrap it around the foot. I then cut it even smaller to fit in between all the toes to secure it in place well. Make sure she can not ingest it, they will try tugging it off and will succeed if it isn’t tight enough.

Keep us updated, i will try and find the names of the other supplies i used to treat her.

I have Neosporin. Is that similar to Terramycin? I put electrolytes in her water this morning.

 

[Chicken poppy]

I have Neosporin. Is that similar to Terramycin? I put electrolytes in her water this morning.

I think Neosporin should work! Just make sure it has no painkillers.

Terramycin is a lot different. Imagine a toothpaste tub but smaller that costs roughly $50. It’s because it is mostly for eye use: pink eye, infections in eye, (but was told by a vet it would help bumble foot too) and really any eye problems. It is also a antibiotic. It’s honestly a waste to get it just for bumblefoot due to the fact you will use a shocking amount of it, so i would just go with Neosporin.

 

[lin1pe]

I think Neosporin should work! Just make sure it has no painkillers.

Terramycin is a lot different. Imagine a toothpaste tub but smaller that costs roughly $50. It’s because it is mostly for eye use: pink eye, infections in eye, (but was told by a vet it would help bumble foot too) and really any eye problems. It is also a antibiotic. It’s honestly a waste to get it just for bumblefoot due to the fact you will use a shocking amount of it, so i would just go with Neosporin.

Okay. Good to know. I think I'm more concerned about the blister on the top of her foot. It's getting bigger and there is white showing through. Do you know why that is and how to help it go down? Maybe if I get the bottom of her foot healing the blister will go away too.