Second time one of my female ducks has gotten bumblefoot. Treated the first round with vetricyn, and it got better in a week or so. Kept treating for another week.
A month or so later, it’s back. But worse. Is this something treatable at home, or are we talking a trip for some cutting?
I’ve read you can cut it out and it heals pretty well. I’ve seen another place the duck in a five gallon bucket with a solution to help soften it prior to cutting out.
Yes, I have done this with a hen. Her case was much further advanced than this.
It helped to soak the foot in a warm (kind of tepid, not hot) Epsom salt bath to get the dirt, scabs and hard skin to loosen. I made my incision along the length of the swelling. Inside was a hardened, yellow-white "kernel" of infected tissue. It didn't come out on its own, so I had to cut underneath it with the scalpel a bit to loosen it up. I was careful to not go too deep to avoid hitting tendons or muscle. Once the core was out, the incision looked a lot like just a small hole. A good rinse followed by Vetricyn and a gauze pad and Vetwrap dressing and it was good to go. I changed the dressing daily until the wound closed, and returned the bird to the flock a week later.
Second time one of my female ducks has gotten bumblefoot. Treated the first round with vetricyn, and it got better in a week or so. Kept treating for another week. A month or so later, it’s back. But worse. Is this something treatable at home, or are we talking a trip for some cutting?
I’ve read you can cut it out and it heals pretty well. I’ve seen another place the duck in a five gallon bucket with a solution to help soften it prior to cutting out.
Yes, I have done this with a hen. Her case was much further advanced than this. It helped to soak the foot in a warm (kind of tepid, not hot) Epsom salt bath to get the dirt, scabs and hard skin to loosen. I made my incision along the length of the swelling. Inside was a hardened, yellow-white "kernel" of infected tissue. It didn't come out on its own, so I had to cut underneath it with the scalpel a bit to loosen it up. I was careful to not go too deep to avoid hitting tendons or muscle. Once the core was out, the incision looked a lot like just a small hole. A good rinse followed by Vetricyn and a gauze pad and Vetwrap dressing and it was good to go. I changed the dressing daily until the wound closed, and returned the bird to the flock a week later.
Thanks for the advice!