Need Some Advice on This Bumblefoot Case

[RobertK]

So I have a Peking with severe bumble foot. She had it last year, and we treated, and she recovered. She was fine all summer. Then this fall, it came back with a vengeance. The same exact spots. Mild case on one foot, and severe on the other.

We have been taking her to a vet for three weeks. She has been getting antibiotic shots, and oral antibiotics.
I am over $300 into vet bills, and I have not seen any improvement.

The scab on her foot is pretty superficial, not like last year where we removed it, and it was deep and with some Prid we got a nice kernel out.

The vet we are seeing is useless. At this point, I think we are on our own. He prescribes antibiotics, but won't do anything else and tells me soaking etc. is useless.

We have been soaking almost daily in epsom salt. We have been applying Prid, and wrapping her foot.

The vet did poke it with a needle and clear fluid came out. He also made a cut and said all he saw was necrotic tissue. Well, duh.

Anyway, does anyone have any advice on what we can try next?

I am worried we will not be able to beat it this time.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Some cases are tougher than others. Stop paying for antibiotics, they won’t do anything unless you get the actual infection out.

Have you tried removing the scab since applying the Prid? Sometimes the infection needs to be drawn to the surface before a kernel can be removed.

It’s hard to tell from this photo since it’s not super clear, but it looks like you should be able to soak it then pull it out (hopefully with a kernel). If you do get it out, treat with Neosporin and Veterycin. You can finish out the antibiotics after that.

Don’t give up. It sounds like your vet really just doesn’t know much about birds and therefore wasn't able to guide you correctly. Sometimes they like to pretend they know what they’re doing with birds even if they haven’t got the slightest idea

 

[RobertK]

Some cases are tougher than others. Stop paying for antibiotics, they won’t do anything unless you get the actual infection out.

Have you tried removing the scab since applying the Prid? Sometimes the infection needs to be drawn to the surface before a kernel can be removed.

It’s hard to tell from this photo since it’s not super clear, but it looks like you should be able to soak it then pull it out (hopefully with a kernel). If you do get it out, treat with Neosporin and Veterycin. You can finish out the antibiotics after that.

Don’t give up. It sounds like your vet really just doesn’t know much about birds and therefore wasn't able to guide you correctly. Sometimes they like to pretend they know what they’re doing with birds even if they haven’t got the slightest idea

There is no scab any more. Nothing ever came out. I would have to cut her. I got a recommendation for a new vet. He is an exotics vet recommended by a duck rescue woman. She goes next week. Hopefully he can help her. I hope we don't have to put her down

 

[CHlCKEN]

There is no scab any more. Nothing ever came out. I would have to cut her. I got a recommendation for a new vet. He is an exotics vet recommended by a duck rescue woman. She goes next week. Hopefully he can help her. I hope we don't have to put her down

Can you post a photo of what it currently looks like?

 

[907evangeline]

So I have a Peking with severe bumble foot. She had it last year, and we treated, and she recovered. She was fine all summer. Then this fall, it came back with a vengeance. The same exact spots. Mild case on one foot, and severe on the other.

We have been taking her to a vet for three weeks. She has been getting antibiotic shots, and oral antibiotics.
I am over $300 into vet bills, and I have not seen any improvement.

The scab on her foot is pretty superficial, not like last year where we removed it, and it was deep and with some Prid we got a nice kernel out.

The vet we are seeing is useless. At this point, I think we are on our own. He prescribes antibiotics, but won't do anything else and tells me soaking etc. is useless.

We have been soaking almost daily in epsom salt. We have been applying Prid, and wrapping her foot.

The vet did poke it with a needle and clear fluid came out. He also made a cut and said all he saw was necrotic tissue. Well, duh.

Anyway, does anyone have any advice on what we can try next?

I am worried we will not be able to beat it this time.

There's a lot more in that foot is my guess. I'm dealing with the same thing ATM and had to use a scalpel to poke through the skin and squeeze out the gunk in there. Looks like you might need to do the same thing.

 

[CHlCKEN]

There's a lot more in that foot is my guess. I'm dealing with the same thing ATM and had to use a scalpel to poke through the skin and squeeze out the gunk in there. Looks like you might need to do the same thing.

I would keep trying the Prid first. Bring it to the surface as much as possible

 

[RobertK]

There's a lot more in that foot is my guess. I'm dealing with the same thing ATM and had to use a scalpel to poke through the skin and squeeze out the gunk in there. Looks like you might need to do the same thing.

I am taking her to another vet tomorrow. This guy was recommended by a duck rescue so I am hopeful he will help. I cannot cut this myself at this point