What does post bumble foot surgery tissue look like?

[CoriM]

I feel your pain. I read your post to my husband and he said it sounds like I wrote it. In fact my most recent post here was titled "I need a pep talk". I've had my first ducks for 2.5 years, and just added three babies this past August. That's a challenge right now in integrating the two groups. I love the duckling phase, but have had so many issues with my ducks overall. I've learned a lot here on BYC about dealing with their needs, but the learning curve keeps going. When I was contemplating whether to get ducks or chickens I read a few books and read the claim that ducks are hardier and don't get sick as much. I beg to differ! And my avian vet really doesn't seem to be in the know about ducks, so I feel like I'm just as well off to try to figure things out on my own. I'm a bit at the place where I want to give them all the happiest and most natural life possible, in the safest way I can, but I'm not going to spend thousands running to the vet with them, because I can't and it doesn't seem to make a huge difference. I love them and spend hours and hours taking care of their needs, but there's a limit to what I can do, and I need to keep perspective. I too would love to be just at a maintenance-only phase, and I guess I get that sporadically, or I wouldn't have taken on my new babies in August. A little bit though I was a worried some of my big girls were having reproductive issues and might not last long, so I was hoping to keep the flock a good size . Once you get through this bumble you will feel much better - it's hard because it's such a daily worry and effort. We love our ducks, but I'm pretty sure my husband gets a little tired of how often I angst over them, though he's a patient listener. It can be an emotional drain sometimes, but I do think you'll eventually get to a place where things are more settled and you're feeling better!

 

[Nomoreducks]

Ditto on all accounts!! I feel like we are living similar duck mamma lives. And the same goes for my husband- lol, he thinks I obsess over our ducks way too much but I feel like I have too to keep them healthy and happy. This venture started out as my 7 year old pets and I was totally on board albeit clueless. We ended up with one girl and three drake ducklings from our local brooder so I kept getting more girls to balance the ratio. After getting so many issues we recently gave away 4 to lighten the load when I have to treat them for an issue. But I’m still feeling burnt out. Oh and I found out out I am allergic to duck eggs!! Aahahhh! So like yourself I was going to start a post on all these issues I’ve experienced to see if I could get some emotional support. This website is a life saver seeing us duck owners have to be self reliant and good researchers. So happy you and I have met! I’ll be thinking of you (my duck warrior pal) next time I cry over my morning coffee while trying to get my kids to school and my ducks are sucking up all my attention. Anytime you need a pep talk you can always message me!! Thanks again for your kind and reassuring words.

 

[CoriM]

Ditto on all accounts!! I feel like we are living similar duck mamma lives. And the same goes for my husband- lol, he thinks I obsess over our ducks way too much but I feel like I have too to keep them healthy and happy. This venture started out as my 7 year old pets and I was totally on board albeit clueless. We ended up with one girl and three drake ducklings from our local brooder so I kept getting more girls to balance the ratio. After getting so many issues we recently gave away 4 to lighten the load when I have to treat them for an issue. But I’m still feeling burnt out. Oh and I found out out I am allergic to duck eggs!! Aahahhh! So like yourself I was going to start a post on all these issues I’ve experienced to see if I could get some emotional support. This website is a life saver seeing us duck owners have to be self reliant and good researchers. So happy you and I have met! I’ll be thinking of you (my duck warrior pal) next time I cry over my morning coffee while trying to get my kids to school and my ducks are sucking up all my attention. Anytime you need a pep talk you can always message me!! Thanks again for your kind and reassuring words.

Oh my word, I can't believe you're allergic to duck eggs. That's so frustrating, and maddening! Well, you get a huge pat on the back for seeing your animals needs and taking care of them the best you can, even when it's something you didn't expect (or hope for, haha). I never expected to become part time vet, but again, so thankful for BYC and all the information and support of friends here. Have you ever read the book "Slave to Ducks"? It might make you laugh . I'm celebrating right now because my babies are currently in the tractor together WITH the older ducks (except Penny who can barely walk and I'm trying not to stress) and everyone is lying down! Most of the big ones are on the opposite end of course, but the babies are all snuggled by my duck-in-charge, Puddles, and it seems like a big step towards unification?!

I hope you find some rest from duck work today and enjoy your family!

 

[Spiase20]

2 of my ducks tend to get bumblefoot every summer. It's very hot and humid during the summers and I actively have to spray their mats with vinegar and clean twice a day to keep bacteria off.

As for the bumble foot situation, I learned through many visits to avian specialists and dealing with my ducks having it, is that sometimes it isn't as simple as just removing the scab. Sometimes the infection can be puss like or deep. And can attach/reach the bone, which makes it harder to treat. Also that there are various types of infections and sometimes an antibiotic that worked last time, won't be effective on the next infection. The key is to have all the infected tissue removed, and if not, then it probably will keep coming back.

Also that pressure on the healing area can cause it to come back as well. The technique that worked for me the best so far with the quickest recovery is to soak daily, put silver cream prescribed by the vet on the area, cut out a pad from pool noodles into the shape of the foot and wrap it with vet wrap. The pool noodle pad cushions the area and also keeps the wound drier. For stubborn or a little more advance cases, antibiotics are needed along with this treatment.

Hope this helps!

 

[Nomoreducks]

2 of my ducks tend to get bumblefoot every summer. It's very hot and humid during the summers and I actively have to spray their mats with vinegar and clean twice a day to keep bacteria off.

As for the bumble foot situation, I learned through many visits to avian specialists and dealing with my ducks having it, is that sometimes it isn't as simple as just removing the scab. Sometimes the infection can be puss like or deep. And can attach/reach the bone, which makes it harder to treat. Also that there are various types of infections and sometimes an antibiotic that worked last time, won't be effective on the next infection. The key is to have all the infected tissue removed, and if not, then it probably will keep coming back.

Also that pressure on the healing area can cause it to come back as well. The technique that worked for me the best so far with the quickest recovery is to soak daily, put silver cream prescribed by the vet on the area, cut out a pad from pool noodles into the shape of the foot and wrap it with vet wrap. The pool noodle pad cushions the area and also keeps the wound drier. For stubborn or a little more advance cases, antibiotics are needed along with this treatment.

Hope this helps!

We have hot humid summers in NC as well and I use vinegar water to clean the coop but never thought to spray the wood decking around the pools. That is something I’m going to try. This bumble stuff is really problematic.

When you soak is it with ES? I have a bunch of koozies I’m going to cut up for cushion. That might help things a bit.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Spiase20]

Yes, I soak in Epsom Salt.

 

[picklestheduck]

How is this situation going? I finally found this thread and want to cry. I've been struggling with duck issues for a long time. Finally someone who understands! I'm currently dealing with bumblefoot in my female pekin.... fighting it for over a month now...I've done oral meds and soaked every day and rewraped and did surgery and giving treats and been pooped on and been coated in bloody infectiony crap and loved on this duck endlessly. I'm kinda fried...ntohing is working.....its just getting worse... These pics are beginning and now...

 

[Spiase20]

I understand the frustration and situation completely.
With my one duck, it was the same situation. Battled the infection for 2 months and fully healed after 3. Ended up that the medicine wasn't working because it was a strain that only specific antibiotics could fight. Best is to go to a vet who knows what they are doing. Get the sample tested to see which would work best. I made the mistake of going to one who wasn't as knowledgeable and ended up wasting a lot of money taking that route.

In the end, I drove out to an avian specialist who did the surgery on my duck. He told me that it is important to get all the infection out, or it will just keep returning. Along with the medicine to fight it. He also said it was important to have a pad/cushion after the removal because the impact on the area can cause it to flare again. That is why (after the removal surgery) I went with the pool noodle cushion I cut into the shape of the foot and then wrapped the foot in vet wrap. Would soak in epsom salt every day, add silver cream to the area (or neosporin) and then replace the pool noodle pad with new wrappings. Had to do this for 3 weeks, but it heal completely.

It also gets tricky if the infection enters the bone. This looks like a case that would require a vet.

I am sorry you have to deal with this and hope it works out.

 

[CoriM]

@picklestheduck I'm so sorry for your frustration. Know that many of us have been in the same place of discouragement and frustration when it comes to bumblefoot. If you can, check out a couple of threads about my pekin Penny and her bumblefoot. I teated it for almost a year and it finally went away this summer. I tried just about every treatment possible, and though the infection went away, I believe, after the first few months, there was scabbing and swelling that lasted much longer. It was at that point that I took her to a vet and he confirmed it was just residual from the infection. I think you should keep soaking once a day, applying silver or triple antibiotic, and bandage (not too tight). Some people have done noodles, I just used gauze pad and vet wrap. You want to keep her foot dry when the scab area is open, but once it covers over give her opportunity to swim in clean water. Is she able to walk - does she limp and still get around? If you have an avian vet in your area it would be good to have them look to see if it's spread to the bone. You're doing a good job, keep on keeping on!!

 

[Galaxyfalcon]

We have hot humid summers in NC as well and I use vinegar water to clean the coop but never thought to spray the wood decking around the pools. That is something I’m going to try. This bumble stuff is really problematic.

When you soak is it with ES? I have a bunch of koozies I’m going to cut up for cushion. That might help things a bit.

Thanks for your input!

I've got 3 ducks with bumble right now and I was trying to treat them topically but it looks like I'm going to have to start another soak/treat/wrap routine myself. Can you talk more about tricide dips and how you went about that? I'm open to trying some new techniques if you found something that seems to have worked well. How much do you make/how long do you soak etc?