What's the easiest procedure for bumble foot?

[Mama Hen Chris]

Hi All,

I noticed my GLW had swelling between her toes. I washed off her feet and found the black scab! On both feet no less. My poor Gretchen. There are so many opinions on how to treat. I would like to do this on my own but what do you all suggest and what items to I need prior to helping her?

Thank you all in advance.

 

[fl_deb]

Check to see if a search of "bumble foot surgery" on this site still brings up a rather explicit step by step surgery.

What I remember, (cut me some slack here, I am a grandmother), is that you always soak feet in warm soapy water, lay bird on side and cover head loosely with towel.

2) You always go in the bottom of foot, in center of black scab, and keep going until you get the "core" out, using a scalpal or exacto knife.

3) By wrapping between toes you can get a bandage to stay on with antibiotic cream on the foot- do not use any with pain relievers in them as they are poisenous to the bird.

4) Keep checking foot until well healed.


I really hope the search works because I know I forgetting something here.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Thank you for your help. Have checked out how to on google and picture by picture directions. BYCers are the best

 

[fl_deb]

One of the searches I did also came up with a surgery alternative, so you may want to look for that one as well.

The search function on BYC is very powerful, and it helped that you knew what you were dealing with, but never hesitate to ask, it is how we all learn!

I hope her tooties heal quickly!

 

[schellie69]

I did 3 bumble foot surgery's last summer you can either do both feet or one at a time. I also used duck tape instead of that vet wrap it worked great. Good luck you can do this I also found that be covering her eyes she was very calm. I used a old small sock and cut a hole in it for her beak to stick out worked like a charm. I also used an ace bandage to wrap around her so she could not flap her wings also better then just a towel.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Ok, I gave in and found a vet who would see Gretchen. She did very well. The Dr. brought her to me after the procedure and showed me her feet. The swollen foot was not too bad and the foot that was just starting was the worst. Dr. said I caught this in time as there wasn't any "kernels" to pluck out. He showed me how to take care of the wounds. He gave me all the wraps, betadine, gauze and dressing I would need to change her every day for free. He didn't even charge for the procedure. I only had to pay for the office visit and ointment. Dr. Bob was such a nice guy and so was the assistant that came in. She took her temp and it was normal (106). While taking the temp, Gretchen decided to give the assistant a "poop" sample right in her hand while the temp was taken. Good thing it was normal and not watery. LOL Also got a weight on her of 5lbs. I guess that is good for a 7month old GLW.

Dr. Bob said that Gretchen has "delicate" feet and suggested that we put astroturf on the roost (2x4). He thinks she got this from the roost or maybe on the cool decking on our patio (scratching for something and her foot got a scrape). Went to Lowe's-all out of astroturf due to some horse shows this weekend but I did pick up a piece of carpet and DH wrapped it around the roost.

Gretchen and her new purple booties. Dr. Bob was going to put bright pink on her feet. I thought that might attract her "sisters" to peck and that so we went with a dark color. The only one pecking at it was Gretchen!

 

[wren]

She's lucky to have such a good mom! carpet would be better than astro-turf. I have used horse stall mats for my show birds. Carpet is easier to work with and cheaper.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Lucky to have a good vet too!

 

[leos-mama]

she is gorgeous (jimmy choos and all!!!)