Bella's diagnosis...

[Ashling]

Found out what's wrong with Belladonna's feet. Binx has it too. "Bumblefoot." Doesn't look good. Apart from antibiotics, Bella may need surgery and mum says we don't have the finances to take her to the vets for that.
I know quite a bit about what is involved in this surgery, and it seems very simple. I have done similar things before, and I have actually treated her infection already by soaking and pulling off the scab and clearing out much of the hard, rubbery puss. All I need to do is make an incision and clear out the gunk inside, then wrap it up and continue antibiotics. "Surgery" makes it sound daunting though. Farmers treat their stock all the time, right?


First State Veterinary Supply - Bumblefoot

[Jag]

I don't know... hit an artery or a nerve and the bird could die or be unable to use that foot.... sounds too iffy for me!! There are some things that sound easy that really are, and some things that sound easy but are only easy for people trained and who have experience.

[Ashling]

Simple, but perhaps not very easy, I agree. That's the concern, isn't it? Hitting an artery or nerve. This is what it says on the site:

"Make your incision with a new scalpel and just go slowly and avoid any tendons and blood vessels and slowly make your incision across the affected area making sure that you keep the incision as small as possible."

I have a good eye, and I am quite confident, as this is basically what I have been doing for the past 2 days with her. The only difference is I'd be using something sharper, opposed to tweezers, in order to remove the puss. Tweezers haven't allowed me to really get through the already hard pus to get the rest out and let it heal. A blade would just make it easier, and probably less painful for poor Bella. She has been very brave so far, and doesn't make a fuss. It must feel good to get some of the infection out. There is a risk of course, but the other risk is that she dies from infection.
If it were my choice, and my money, she'd be off to the vet.

[usamma]

I read that article, and most of those bacteria are very nasty-- I learned about them in microbiology. Make sure to wash your hands very very well.

If you want to treat at home (not that I'm giving you the advice to do so!), think about a soak in epsom salt. Don't cut the foot open too much, just make a skin level puncture with a disinfected needle or pin. Squeeze. Then soak in a solution of hydrogen peroxide ( 1 capful per 8 oz of water) and 8 drops of grapefruit seed extract. Do this every 12 hours. Keep her out of the dirt in a clean cage between treatments. See if the vet can at least prescribe oral antibiotics for 10 days or so.

Be prepared for a call to the emergency vet right away in case it starts to look worse.

[loyallyroyal]

Most farm vets are willing to haggle or at least give you a good deal. I dont know about where you live but I would look for one that come out and treats livestock. See if you can bring them over to a farmer/rancher that is having their livestock looked at and see how much it would cost to have it done.

Im a strong believer in proper vet care.

[hollyhawkz]

Wow Ash, your one brave young woman! If you have no option I wish all the power to you, and wish you all the best sucess! Keep us posted!

[wingedheart]

I sure hope you consider how much pain the bird would be in if you attempt do the "surgery" yourself. You would not want surgery without anesthesia, would you? Please reconsider and take the bird to a vet to have this done! The risk of major infection is also great.

[Ashling]

It's a simple operation much like treating abscesses (which many pet owners do themselves and I have done myself in the past) In the poultry business it is common to treat bumblefoot yourself. I have done a lot of research and contacted a lot of people. Bella hardly reacts when I dabble with her feet, the hard puss is all that needs to be cut out and there are no nerve endings in pus! I also have a numbing cream to use so she won't be in pain anyway. Just to let everyone know, she is perfectly fine today walking around outside in the sunshine with the rest of the gang and not limping anymore :) Thanks for your concern on Bella's behalf, I'll keep you all posted!

[expressmailtome]

I am so glad that she is doing better! I hope that things continue going that way!

Matt

[Newticus]

If I were in your situation and it was a question of putting Bella down because her quality of life is not great because of her infection and trying to treat it myself because of the cost for vet care I would do it too.
I have treated a number of animal ailments myself.
If you have done the reasearch and are confident enough I don't see an issue because it just might save her life.

Good luck!

Melanie