Severe bumblefoot surgery **GRAPHIC**

[whamo]

What type of cutting tool did you use? I recently aquired 3 1.5 yr old hens and one has bumble foot.

 

[The Bird Sitter]

My polish has been laying down a lot and today I looked at her vent and a HUGE worm was sticking out! Still don't know why she's acting so bad even though im treating her for worms. She's just going downhill now :/

 

[Crafty-Duck]

My polish has been laying down a lot and today I looked at her vent and a HUGE worm was sticking out! Still don't know why she's acting so bad even though im treating her for worms. She's just going downhill now

So sorry! hope she starts feeling better soon!!!!

 

[The Bird Sitter]

Thanks! I feel so bad right now cause she's so bad! I feel like she might not pull through :/

 

[startingover]

What type of cutting tool did you use? I recently aquired 3 1.5 yr old hens and one has bumble foot.

I mostly used a scalpel. You can get them at TSC or a farm supply store that carries medical equipment for livestock.

They are very sharp and is great for separating the softened scab from the skin. Once you get the scab loose and or pulled off, it should expose the actual plug and then use forceps (or tweezers) to pull it out.

Please remember that MOST bumblefoot are STAPH infections and are transferable to humans. It is advisable to wear gloves.

 

[startingover]

As far as letting his foot go to care for his other wounds, I would have done the same thing. I have never seen Bumblefoot and am so glad you posted these pictures. Now if I ever have a case, I will know what to do. Why didn't the infection spread throughout his body? You would think being a staph infection it would have spread and it would have gone into the bloodstream. Although I have had chickens for a long time, I am still learning. Congratulations on giving him such good care and saving him and again, thank you for posting the pictures.

Skye's infection was so bad that his came out the top of his foot, which is why all my cuts are at the top. MOST bumblefoot when caught early are on the bottom of their feet.

Why the infection didn't spread is a really good question. It SHOULD have been systemic by now and he should be dead.

I've learned the past 3 years that Skye is one great bird and to expect the unexpected. He realistically should have died a half dozen times now. Any normal bird would have. I have over 100 birds and he is the only one with a name and I really do believe that I will cry when he does die. Skye was my favorite chick from the moment he hatched. He has always had this aura about him. He just looked like a grand bird. When he was about 4 months old, I heard a commotion outside and realized that I forgot to shut the chicken door at dark. I ran outside and a raccoon had gotten into the coop. I scared the coon off and started rounding up scattered and frightened birds. I was outside until like 2 am finding birds. It wasn't until the next day that I realized that Skye was no where to be found. I was absolutely devastated because I was really looking forward to him being the head of a breeding flock. Long story short - 8 weeks later - he shows up at my neighbors farm! He spent 2 MONTHS in the woods in between our houses and LIVED!! I couldn't believe it. I brought him back and none of the rest of the roosters liked it and picked on him. Countless times I would find him hiding, scared, and injured. One time he fell head first off the roosts into an empty feeder. He had to of been in there for a couple hours before I found him. He eventually did claim second spot on the rooster totem pole. Of course the young ones still challenged him as they grew, but mostly always backed off. Earlier this year he got his eye injured badly in a fight. I spent months treating that and figured that he lost his eye. One day it opened and he could see out of it. His vision was diminished in that eye, but he could see some. Then the turkeys grew up and one just had it out of Skye. They fought a lot, but never too serious until this last time.

Any other bird I would have given up on and probably would have processed because they were so much trouble. But Skye is special. His body type is great, he's a BIG bird. When he gains all his weight back, I do want to put him on a scale. With all the stuff that he has been through and the fact that everything he has been able to fight off and come back an even better bird - he has genes that I want to pass on. He has to have a great immunity by now. He's been in my house now for 6 weeks recovering from this last horrible ordeal. He got the ultimate revenge on the turkey and he got to pick his carcass clean after Thanksgiving. Kinda like vengeance is a dish best served cold. When he is healed enough, I will make sure his own coop surrounding by portable electric netting and he can have the best girls I've got. He's earned it.

 

[whamo]

Thanks - you've inspired me! Did you also get the disinfectant there?

 

[startingover]

Any type of betadine, providine, or tridine will work. You can either get it at TSC or even Walmart. It's an excellent "surgery prep" disinfectant.

 

[Acefit411]

Startingover,

You do have a special Rooster ~ you and Skye are so lucky to have each other!
I really believe that animals (just like people) come into our lives for a reason ...

I hope Skye is up and running around real soon.

Thank you for sharing your story

~anna

 

[SilkiesForEver]

How is he doing now? I'm book marking this page so I can find it if I ever need too. (Hope I don't, but its good to be prepared)