Treatment for Bumblefoot

[Sarahxamelia]

I think my chicken has Bumblefoot. She started limping yesterday but I didn’t see anything under her foot I touched it looked under, in between nothing. Today she is still limping but this time when I pressed the center under her foot it hurt her. Still not swollen or red etc. when I pressed it felt kind hard whereas, the other foot is fine it didn’t hurt her and it was soft. I saw some people mention soaking in warm water and Epsom salt. I won’t be able to get to the store today but I wanted to try and help her now if I can but I don’t have any Epsom salt. Can I use regular salt or vinegar? How often should I soak her? How do I get the hard thing out after her foot is soften? Do I just push it out. This is the first time I’m dealing with Bumblefoot. So when I was reading what others had to say I couldn’t really understand since this never happened to any of my chickens before.

 

[coach723]

Can you post some pictures of the feet, top and bottom? Sprains and strains from landing wonky or jumping too far are not uncommon, so that may be all it is. In that case it may resolve on it's own in a couple of days. Epsom salt soaks can help (it contains minerals as well) with pain and swelling. With bumblefoot you will usually see a dark scab, and if it's bad redness and swelling. A warm water soak won't hurt her, just won't have the theraputic effects from the epsom salt. Just make sure she's thoroughly dry after if her feathers get wet.

 

[Sarahxamelia]

Sorry. I haven’t taken he pictures yet. But i noticed today under her foot is now pink and swollen looking. I will try to post the pictures tomorrow.

Can you post some pictures of the feet, top and bottom? Sprains and strains from landing wonky or jumping too far are not uncommon, so that may be all it is. In that case it may resolve on it's own in a couple of days. Epsom salt soaks can help (it contains minerals as well) with pain and swelling. With bumblefoot you will usually see a dark scab, and if it's bad redness and swelling. A warm water soak won't hurt her, just won't have the theraputic effects from the epsom salt. Just make sure she's thoroughly dry after if her feathers get wet.

 

[Sarahxamelia]

I read some people say there is something hard like a kernel in there. How can i get it out without surgery or going to to the vet? Some people said there is a way to move it or squeeze it out i think. This is the website: https://www.tillysnest.com/2015/12/non-surgical-bumblefoot-treatment-html/

 

[coach723]

That is the correct website, that is always my first way of treating bumblefoot. But if you don't have a lesion/scab, then there is nothing to loosen and remove. Soaking softens the scab for removal and then the pus is usually under the scab. I think pictures would be best before anyone can advise you well. Very small lesions are sometimes treatable topically (it can be a slow process that takes time).

 

[Sarahxamelia]

Hi. Thanks for being patient!! Here are the pictures I took. I don’t see any scab :/
Sorry if they are difficult to see I was taking the pictures on my own, so it was hard to hold her, take a picture and uncurl her toes.

That is the correct website, that is always my first way of treating bumblefoot. But if you don't have a lesion/scab, then there is nothing to loosen and remove. Soaking softens the scab for removal and then the pus is usually under the scab. I think pictures would be best before anyone can advise you well. Very small lesions are sometimes treatable topically (it can be a slow process that takes time).

 

[coach723]

I circled a couple of spots on your pictures, see below. That could be early bumblefoot, and if it is then I would try treating topically first, since they are so small. Clean them up, apply some antibiotic ointment, and wrap to protect it. It will take some time. If it gets worse, then you can do as advised in the link for non-surgical treatment. I would soak the feet, use a soft rag or very soft toothbrush to remove all dirt, then you will be able to tell if those spots are small lesions, or just some dirt stuck on the foot. Either way, epsom salt soaks won't hurt, and might help.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Does not look like much to me just now are you able to take a photo of her standing

 

[Sarahxamelia]

Ok, thanks!! I still don’t have Epsom salt, can I use regular salt or vinegar or ACV? do I just use regular triple antibiotic ointment? If it gets worse, I know I have to soak her feet. But how exactly do you get the thing out? Do you squeeze her skin around the hard thing just squeeze it out? Or if there’s a scab you just peel it off and squeeze the hard thing out of the scab?

I circled a couple of spots on your pictures, see below. That could be early bumblefoot, and if it is then I would try treating topically first, since they are so small. Clean them up, apply some antibiotic ointment, and wrap to protect it. It will take some time. If it gets worse, then you can do as advised in the link for non-surgical treatment. I would soak the feet, use a soft rag or very soft toothbrush to remove all dirt, then you will be able to tell if those spots are small lesions, or just some dirt stuck on the foot. Either way, epsom salt soaks won't hurt, and might help.
View attachment 1950041 View attachment 1950042

 

[pennyJo1960]

if you use like neosporin use one without pain killer please