Bumblefoot treatment not working

[kathrync]

I have a hen with bumblefoot in three of her toes. Initially, I tried doing surgery, but since the infection was in her toes, it seemed risky to cut into it… I was afraid of cutting her tendons or something. Anyway… I’ve heard folks say that epsom salt soaks and PRID salve is a good alternative. Been doing that every 1-2 days for the past 8 weeks. Her toes are looking better and less swollen, but the infection is not gone. And I’m getting tired of the soaking/wrapping routine.

Is there an antibiotic that I should try? Or do I just need to be patient and keep doing the soaks?

 

[horror_trashcan]

If you're able to get some pictures that may help people assess further. I would say continue with the soaks although you may have to drain it.

 

[BGcoop]

Bumble foot can take a long time to fully heal. I’ve actually had some cases that just were not really improving, so as long as the bird was able to walk on it I kind of left them alone for a while. This caused the body to kind of wall off the infection by itself, then the “scab” would start to loosen from the rest of the foot, that is the point where I would attempt to remove it. Again giving everything a good cleaning after and leaving things alone for a while again. With those difficult cases sometimes I would have to do a few removals of the “plug” before it would eventually go away. I have pretty much stopped doing the soaks and wraps for most of my bumble foot cases as they seemed to hold in more dirt than they kept out(my birds free range all day) and really only intervene if there is significant swelling or lameness. I try do any foot care at night when they are roosting on clean roost bars so the wound has a chance to dry out and scab up before getting dirty again. This is what has worked for me, your situation may be different. And I agree with horror trashcan (great name by the way) that pictures might be helpful for better advice on your case.

 

[dawg53]

It's not common for chickens to have bumblefoot in three toes. Bumblefoot mainly occurs in the footpad.
I suspect you might be dealing with a type of dermatitis. A photo of the toes would help.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Skip the prid. Bumblefoot is a staph infection. Take plain original neosporin and an old toothbrush. For 1-2 minutes scrub the neosporin into the bumbles.

 

[kathrync]

Ok, I got some pics. The circled areas are where the scabs were, and they are slightly pink. The swelling has gone down, but I’m certain the infection is still in there. The circled black scab developed after I started treatment, which makes me worry that it’s spreading. Any thoughts on antibiotics??

 

[Debbie292d]

Ok, I got some pics. The circled areas are where the scabs were, and they are slightly pink. The swelling has gone down, but I’m certain the infection is still in there. The circled black scab developed after I started treatment, which makes me worry that it’s spreading. Any thoughts on antibiotics??

I only see one toe where it's actually looking like it's come to the surface and scabbed a little. It appears it is starting on the pad too. I would still do the soaks and when dry put the PRID on to draw it out. If anything opens to flesh, put the Neosporin or triple antibiotic on it.

Here's an article about using TricideNeo, and here's a post about it too.

Have you been able to figure out a cause? Sometimes, it's from jumping too far down from the roosts or it's the bedding they're landing on. Sometimes, it happens if their run or free-range in mostly rocks/gravel. I've also heard of rough roosts causing it, like when people use branches from trees that are really rough. There are other causes too but those are the most common.

 

[dawg53]

If there isnt any redness nor swelling, dont mess with the footpad/toes. It means there isnt any infection. I've dealt with bumblefoot many times. I dont see redness nor swelling in the photos provided.
I suspect you are dealing with Contact Dermatitis rather than bumblefoot, but is sometimes mistakenly called "bumblefoot, " since it is more common in backyard flocks and mostly contained in the footpad. The general cause of dermatitis is wet litter. Here's a link for you to read:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/what-causes-foot-dermatitis-in-poultry

@Debbie292d I've also used Tricide Neo for bumblefoot. Here's a link with the simple instructions. Post #2:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/treating-bumblefoot-with-tricide-neo.513183/

 

[Eggcessive]

What is your bedding like in your coop and run? What are you feeding them? Footpad dermatitis sometimes may be caused by burning from ammonia from droppings, wet litter from water spills, feeds high in soy or fat, poor ventilation where bedding cannot dry, and others. Once they have it, they may get it again easier. Here are some good articles to read:
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/APSC/apsc-191/apsc-191.html

https://www.farmhealthonline.com/US/disease-management/poultry-diseases/footpad-dermatitis/

 

[Debbie292d]

If there isnt any redness nor swelling, dont mess with the footpad/toes. It means there isnt any infection. I've dealt with bumblefoot many times. I dont see redness nor swelling in the photos provided.
I suspect you are dealing with Contact Dermatitis rather than bumblefoot, but is sometimes mistakenly called "bumblefoot, " since it is more common in backyard flocks and mostly contained in the footpad. The general cause of dermatitis is wet litter. Here's a link for you to read:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/what-causes-foot-dermatitis-in-poultry

@Debbie292d I've also used Tricide Neo for bumblefoot. Here's a link with the simple instructions. Post #2:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/treating-bumblefoot-with-tricide-neo.513183/

Oh that is the post I linked in my post but great minds think alike!