Bumblefoot

Bumblefoot (pododermatitis), is a common condition seen in any birds kept in captivity. Prevention, early recognition, and early treatment are key when it comes to managing bumblefoot. Bumblefoot results from several contributing factors. This includes any existing foot deformity, being overweight, trauma, poor circulation, irritation (such as excessive friction or pressure), lack of swimming water available, exposure to rough or inappropriate surface used for flooring, excessive moisture, poor sanitation, too much or too little activity, imbalanced diet, or vitamin deficiencies.

What does Bumblefoot Look Like?

During the early stages of bumblefoot, it may initially appear as a small, superficial lesion, rough abrasion, or mild discoloring of the foot. However, once there is a breakdown in the skin barrier, it provides a direct opening for opportunistic bacteria (often Staphylococcus aureus) to enter and cause infection. Once the foot is infected, ducks often begin to show slight behavioral changes (associated with onset of pain caused by the infection), and varying degrees of lameness. If left untreated or not treated appropriately, the infection often becomes chronic and progressive, eventually spreading into the underlying bones, tendons and joints and resulting in osteomyelitis, tenosynovitis, septicemia, and arthritis.

When to Schedule an Appointment with your Veterinarian

Initially, if it is a relatively mild or early stage bumblefoot, daily Epsom salt soakings, bandage management, nutritional support, and strict sanitation of the environment to ensure the duck's foot stays clean and dry may be sufficient. However, if after 1-2 weeks you see no improvement or it gets worse, then you need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as surgical debridement of the wound and antibiotics for the infection may be necessary.

How is Bumblefoot Treated?

The primary goal in the treatment of bumblefoot is to obtain healing as soon as possible. The faster the healing, the less chance for an infection. There are several key factors involved in the appropriate treatment of bumblefoot:

• Preventing infection: It is really important to keep the foot as clean and dry as possible, to prevent contamination with bacteria and other foreign organisms. This is where daily bandaging is important, hospitalization (in some cases may be indicated), and strict sanitation.
• Taking pressure off the area: For optimum healing, pressure needs to be reduced to the area. This can be accomplished with the design of a special orthopedic boot, doughnut-shaped foot pad (even a piece cut from a floating swimming pool noodle), or specially wrapped bandage (so as to take the pressure off of the location of the bumble).
• Debridement of dead tissue: This is usually necessary in cases of moderate to severe bumblefoot; which is when a necrotic plug of tissue is present within the ulcer. This process will better promote healing of the ulcer.
• Bandage management: Appropriate bandage management methods for bumblefoot include the use of dressings and topically applied medications to the foot.
• Nutritional evaluation of diet: Evaluate your duck's diet and correct any possible nutrient deficiencies. Some additional vitamins, especially vitamin A can be helpful.
• Management changes: In order to prevent the bumblefoot from becoming reinfected, it is a good idea to try to understand why your duck developed bumblefoot. Re-evaluate how flock members get along with one another (is one duck getting excessively chased or mated with?), what their daily routine is (do they spend most of their time out of the pool), their health status (do they have an existing illness or intestinal parasites?).

Bumblefoot Complications

Bumblefoot left untreated or improperly treated, can lead to osteomyelitis, which occurs when the infection spreads to the bone. Another serious complication of bumblefoot is that if the condition becomes chronic in nature, it increases the bird's risk of developing amyloidosis, which is a fatal progressive condition which has no cure.