Bumble- foot is a chronic disease that if left untreated can result in a 50 percent mortality rate.
Bumblefoot is characterized by swelling, sometimes redness and often a characteristic black or brown scab on the bottom of the foot. Left untreated, serious cases of bumble foot can be fatal as the infection can spread to other tissues and bones.
Bumblefoot is a common problem in backyard chickens, especially older hens. It can be easily treated. But if bumblefoot is overlooked or ignored, it can cause lasting damage and even death.
Bumblefoot is an infection of a guinea pig's footpad and is often a result of inappropriate habitat conditions. Even mild cases of bumblefoot can be excruciatingly painful for pets—if you suspect your guinea pig is suffering from bumblefoot, seek the guidance of an exotics veterinarian right away.
Ulcers form on the soles of the feet with calluses forming around the edges of the lesions. Some pain and mild lameness are present.
Post-Care for Severe Bumblefoot
She may still need her foot bandaged just to prevent the scab over the wound from being damaged or re-opened. Remember to make sure the hen doesn't get picked on by the others as she rejoins the flock. You will no longer need to bandage the foot once the scab has completely healed.
While humans can't get bumblefoot per se, Staphylococcus aureus, which is the most common organism that causes bumblefoot, can infect humans—yet another good reason to handle your birds, sick or not, with care.
Treatment protocols:
Veterinary treatment for relatively mild cases showing redness of the skin and minimal swelling is via an antibiotic ointment applied at least twice a day to the affected feet. Oral antibiotics may also be used as a systemic infection control.
After soaking for a while, you can try to scrape off the scab and remove the kernel without aggressive intervention. Gently push around the kernel to try and get it out. Be careful not to push too hard or force it, as you may cause more harm and the infection to spread even further.
If bumblefoot is recognized during the early stages, it is relatively easy to treat. Often all that's needed is simple management and environmental modifications.” Bumblefoot is caused by the staphylococcus aureus bacteria which can enter the chicken's feet through an abrasion, cut, sliver or other injury.
If you suspect your chicken has contracted bumblefoot, isolate that chicken from the flock and use a poultry antimicrobial on the infected wound. Staphylococcus is a contagious bacteria that is contracted through skin to skin contact.
You are wrapping in a figure-8 pattern between the toes and above the back toe. Press the end of the Vet Wrap to seal it to the rest of the bandage. After applying the wrap, monitor the bird carefully for the next few hours for any signs of distress, swelling of the toes, or increased lameness.
Treatment and prevention of bumblefoot are dependent to progress of conditions. If the swelling is very small and there is no sign of the infection tracking, only appropriate systemic and local antibiotics (mixed with DMSO to helping the penetration of the drugs) and vitamin therapy will be needed.
Bumblefoot exists on a scale of 1-5 with stage 1 being mild and barely undetectable where stage 5 is severe and grossly affects the chicken's wellbeing.
First, put on a pair of disposable gloves, since the bacteria can infect humans. Stand the affected bird in warm water for about 20 minutes, gently massaging the foot to rinse off any clinging dirt. Epsom salt dissolved in the warm water will help reduce inflammation and soothe the sore foot,” Ms.
Different types of antibiotic have been used to cure the problem: one pill (22.7mg) per day of Baytril, 50-100 mg of clindamycin, doxycycline, lincomycen or doxycycline per day, or 250 mg of amoxicillin per day.
5. What are the causes of “bumblefoot”? Hard plastic or dowelling perches and sandpaper around perches, as well as diets of poor nutritional value and high energy will lead to obese birds with vitamin A deficiency.
It is not recommended to feed dogs chicken feet with bumblefoot. Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that affects the feet of birds, including chickens, and can be transmitted to dogs through contact with infected chicken feet.
Limping or Hopping
In the case of bumblefoot, by the time your chicken is limping, the bumblefoot has already become severe case. Limping is caused by pain, and the pain of bumblefoot becomes overwhelming once infection sets in. If your chicken is limping, it's time to start acting quickly and call your poultry vet.
Oral antibiotics and antibiotic ointment will control the infection. Cleaning and bandaging may be recommended in order to reduce the opportunity for pathogens to enter the wounds. In more severe cases, surgery (including debridement of abscesses) will help to save the feet, and life, of the bird.
Treating bumblefoot is a long process. Be sure you're ready for the commitment. It may take several weeks or months for a severe infection to heal completely.