Bumblefoot through foot?? Help please!!

[LunaMarieWolf]

So I got this hen from a guy at my local livestock auction. He was trying to get rid of these ladies and so I took some.

Later when I got home, I noticed one of the hens had what looked like bumblefoot.. but it went all the way through her foot??

When my other hens had bumblefoot and I tried to treat it. It always came back when I soaked it and messed with it. But when I just left it alone to heal naturally it worked.

I am not sure if I can just leave it alone to let it heal on its own.

How can I help her? Or even is there a way to help her?

She doesn't seem to be in pain. She walks on it just fine, but it may be uncomfortable for her foot.

 

[AmyJane725]

That big black plug needs to be removed in its entirety.

Maybe it came back with your others because not all the pus was removed? Not sure.

Anyway, I definitely would not leave that alone. Poor thing has a raging infection that needs to come out.

Soak the foot in warm water to soften it up. Remove the plug, debride the wound really well and pack it with antibiotic ointment, then wrap it up with vetwrap.

 

[micstrachan]

I agree it looks like bumblefoot all the way through! I’d be soaking and digging, and adding antibiotic ointment. I do wonder if there is some sort of antibiotic paste it could be packed with after digging. May have to do this in stages.

 

[Fishkeeper]

You need to treat it, in a way involving bird-appropriate antibiotics and the removal of all the infectious material.

 

[azygous]

Here's my opinion. It needs surgery. It will not heal on its own.

I agree with @AmyJane725 and the others it needs to be opened up and all the pus removed. It may need more than one surgery. It could take a while to heal.

 

[micstrachan]

Sorry, we posted almost simultaneously, but our answers are in agreement.

 

[AmyJane725]

There’s a second bumble scab on the foot pad by the looks of it. Check out both feet and be sure to treat all the areas.

 

[twendt]

Poor girl, hope you can take her to a vet. If not, I would start on the bottom, although, I see that whole plug coming out and leaving a hole in her foot. She might have to be kept separate for awhile. There's a lot of info on bumblefoot on this site. I saw a youtube video where a someone used PRID drawing salve on the chicken's foot to soften the core, and then pulled it out. Your case looks a little tougher.

 

[LunaMarieWolf]

We just moved to a small farm out in the middle of nowhere. Where the nearest vet is 30 mintues away. Plus I have no clue if they take chickens.

Poor girl, hope you can take her to a vet. If not, I would start on the bottom, although, I see that whole plug coming out and leaving a hole in her foot. She might have to be kept separate for awhile. There's a lot of info on bumblefoot on this site. I saw a youtube video where a someone used PRID drawing salve on the chicken's foot to soften the core, and then pulled it out. Your case looks a little tougher.

I can keep her seperate though. I have a seperate holding cage usually used for storage that would be perfect for her. While I am treating her should I still let her have access to grass and such?

 

[LunaMarieWolf]

I agree it looks like bumblefoot all the way through! I’d be soaking and digging, and adding antibiotic ointment. I do wonder if there is some sort of antibiotic paste it could be packed with after digging. May have to do this in stages.

Could I add something to the food or water to help with the infectious stuff? I have been adding apple cider vinegar to the water and adding more fresh veggies and such as I have moved them into their new coop and run area.

I have gauze, antibiotic ointment, gauze tape, hen healer, iodine, and disenfectant all on hand.