Luvachicken Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 I've just been checking the girls and noticed that Suzie has that tell tale blob on the bottom of her foot. I have washed it with some iodine solution - that the vet gave me before - and popped on some tea tree cream for now. As I washed it most of it came off but it is still attached to her foot. My question is, will what I'm doing make her better or does any chicken with Bumblefoot need antibiotics ? If I find out tonight then I can phone up for an appointment early tomorrow and get her sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Do not worry I have done my usual "panic and make an appointment" anyway. Plus a few tips on Google say birds do need antibiotics. Will let you know how we get on tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 I'm the same, always in total panic if something is wrong. I have a girl I bought at auction who had it, picked the scab off and treated with iodene plus antibiotics and it cleared up nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Glad I'm not the only one mollyripkim The antibiotics are what we need. I know from when Queenie and Gemma had it, it did clear up nicely. We are going at 10.30 am tomorrow. I can only think that she must have cut herself on a sharp stone and I hadn't spotted that she had. I will have to sieve their soil again for them. It's amazing how many stones turn up just when you think you got rid of them before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Wow luvachicken even with he thousands of posts you have made, your obviously an experienced chicken keeper and you STILL have moments of panic.....gosh what hope is there for the rest of us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 Wow luvachicken even with he thousands of posts you have made, your obviously an experienced chicken keeper and you STILL have moments of panic.....gosh what hope is there for the rest of us Aww thanks gavclojak, although I wouldn't say I have much experience really even though I've had chickens for 5 and half years. I am getting quite good at spotting when they might be poorly but I always doubt my capabilities and like to have reassurance and everyone on here is always very good at that. Suzie did get her antibiotics on Friday though, just 0.3ml twice a day, so I'm hoping that will sort her out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Clean it out with diluted Hibiscrub, make up a poultice with some Animalintex and bind it on and see how it goes. I would give it a couple of days with doing that twice daily, then get to the vet if it hasn't cleared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 I know I can get Hibiscrub from the chemist but where do I get Animalintex from ? How would I bind it on ? So far it seems the antibiotics haven't done much so I might give what you said a go Dogmother, thank you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I know I can get Hibiscrub from the chemist but where do I get Animalintex from ?How would I bind it on ? Apparently gaffer/duct tape is good for keeping bandages/dressings on feet. http://hencam.com/faq/the-chicken-medicine-cabinet/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 I know I can get Hibiscrub from the chemist but where do I get Animalintex from ?How would I bind it on ? Apparently gaffer/duct tape is good for keeping bandages/dressings on feet. http://hencam.com/faq/the-chicken-medicine-cabinet/ Thanks for that, but I just had a thought, what about the feathers on their feet ? I wouldn't want them to all get stuck to any tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I had a chicken with a broken wing, which healed beautifully, she had to be strapped up for several weeks. The vet did it with "vet tape" which stayed on lovely but isn't sticky so came off easily when the time was right. Maybe your vet could give you some. It got quite grubby so on her foot it would need changing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Do you mean Vetwrap mollyripkim? It's a cohesive bandage which sticks to itself... I use it for all sorts of things. Animalintex will be stocked by most feed/equine stores, and online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I think that's what it must have been as it didn't tear her feathers but stayed in put when it was needed. I remember I got really good advice on here as I was such a novice, vet had suggested amputation of the wing or try strapping, the strapping worked and she lived to be 5, I lost her this year. She was my first ever chicken and taught me a lot, mostly what endearing little characters they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Thanks for that, but I just had a thought, what about the feathers on their feet ? I wouldn't want them to all get stuck to any tape. I hadn't realised they were feather feet, maybe a trim is required? I also knew I'd seen bumblefoot treatment from HenCam but only just found the link: http://hencam.com/faq/bumblefoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 We have several with the telltale scab on the base of the foot. We only treat them if the pad itself is swollen, otherwise we leave them alone Luvachicken. We have never used antibiotics, just tea tree cream on a dressing held in place with micropore tape. What can happen in rare cases is the foot becomes fungally infected, so it is necessary to remove the internal fungal growth, which looks like cheese. A delicate and smelly job I must add, requiring a lot of care and a very sharp scalpel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 The important thing to remember is that bumblefoot is an abscess which grows inwards and that the photos on that link show extreme cases, please don't let your hens get that bad before you notice and treat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I would also add that if they need a sharp scalpel, they need a vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 I would also add that if they need a sharp scalpel, they need a vet. Gosh, yes, it is bad enough trying to keep them still to wash the bottom of their feet with a cotton bud let alone using anything sharp. Anyway, Suzie's foot still has a marked red bit on it and Gemma still has a small mark which looks like a tiny cut, so I think I will give it a couple more days and take them both to the vets, although Suzie does finish her antibiotics at the end of tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 If you have more than one bird with foot problems, then I'd suggest a look at the area they have access to in case something there is the cause. Bumblefoot is relatively rare, and it's a good idea to look around for a cause to avoid more problems. I have treated it at home myself before, but equally, I have taken one case to the vet when it didn't respond after 36 hours of home treatment. I'm never one to advocate unnecessary visits to the vet, and most of my animals are treated at home where possible; BUT, and it's a big BUT.... I would only recommend that if you have the experience and the necessary skills to treat the problem yourself. It is essential always to be very clear when an issue really MUST be taken to the vet...... some things must be done by a professional/treated with the appropriate drugs, and in a timely fashion. For instance, I can remember (many years ago) when a forum member had a poorly chook in a box in her conservatory - both Eggers and I counselled that she get it to the vet as it clearly had infectious bronchitis; after a couple of days of reminding this person, the hen was still in her conservatory.... slightly more dead than a few days before, and it eventually died there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Here Here DM, I agree. I am not either qualified or experienced enough to diagnose most illnesses, some are more obvious than others and I would always seek advice on this forum BUT if I thought for a second the girls were in pain or needed antibiotics or anything a tad invasive then it's a trip to see Sonya I'm afraid....it's a moral obligation, I would do the same for my dogs and my chickens are my pets, they are NOT a commercial business so they get the same consideration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I think it's important to realise, too, that everyone's threshold for what they can deal with themselves is different. You have to work within you own comfort zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 If you have more than one bird with foot problems, then I'd suggest a look at the area they have access to in case something there is the cause. Bumblefoot is relatively rare, and it's a good idea to look around for a cause to avoid more problems. We did this before and hubby made all of their rungs on the omlet ladder round and made the edges of their digging pit round too, and this seemed to stop the problem. They have 2 rocks to climb on and they don't look particularly sharp, but I might remove them anyhow. They have some wooden mushrooms which are relatively smooth too. The only thing I can think of is either the omlet roosting bars inside the cube or they have caught themselves on one of the numerous stones within the soil in their run. Do you think the rungs could be a problem for little pekins as opposed to bigger girls ? (sorry, couldn't get the quote bit to work today) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Yes Dogmother and my threshold usually ends up with a trip to the vets....running total for princess layer was about £170.00 for the egg peritonitis before she died.....Sonya loves seeing my car pull in to her car park.i can almost hear her say "kerching"£€$¥ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 None of mine have any problems with the rungs or roosting bars in their cubes, and they are all bantams. It is more likely to be caused by thorns or gravel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 Yes, sadly vets are expensive but as responsible pet owners we have little choice when it comes to making them better. If only I'd married a vet Dogmother, I think it must be sharp stones then. They do sometimes get pine needles in their run and they can be pretty spikey ... could it be those too ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
