1. What is "bumblefoot"?
“Bumblefoot” is the common term for
inflammation or infection of the weight-bearing surface of the foot.
“Bumblefoot" is a form of pododermatitis (foot inflammation).
2. What species of bird are affected by “bumblefoot”?
It is very common in budgies, cockatiels,
galahs and ducks though it can be seen in any bird.
3. What are the clinical signs of early “bumblefoot”?
Initially there may simply be a loss of the
normal scale on the feet and the skin may be red and thin. As the conditions
worsens ulcers may form on the pads of the feet.
4. What are the clinical signs of more serious forms of
“bumblefoot”?
It becomes very serious when the foot is
swollen and there are plugs of necrotic (dead) tissue on the weight bearing
foot surface. In the worst cases the bone of the foot becomes infected, the
foot becomes swollen and the foot’s digits cannot move. These birds are
severely lame and often very difficult to repair.
5. What are the causes of “bumblefoot”?
Hard plastic or dowelling
perches and sandpaper around perches, as well as diets of poor nutritional
value and high energy will lead to obese birds with vitamin A deficiency. If
the perches are unclean, bacteria will build up and can move onto the foot as
the foot has lost its protective scales. Any disease that affects birds can
make your bird susceptible to “bumblefoot" as the bird will use its energy
to fight the other problem.
6. What is the treatment for “bumblefoot”?
In the early stages of “bumblefoot” the best treatment is simply to
soften the perches with bandages or strips of cloth wrapped around the perches.
At the same time, improve the diet by including, among other changes, more dark
green vegetables for vitamin A or, better still, move your birds onto a high
quality pellet or crumble food as well. For ducks, put down astroturf or
grassed areas and make sure they have a clean deep wading pool.
7. What additional treatment procedures may be needed?
Antibiotics will be needed as well as
anti-inflammatories and antibiotics topically on the feet. If the
"bumblefoot" is in the very severe category, a ball bandage may need
to be adhered to the feet with regular changes necessary. In these severe cases
samples of the foot infection to send to the laboratory to find out the type of
infection may be needed. Blood samples may also be taken to check for other
problems. The severe cases of "bumblefoot" can take weeks to months
to improve.
8. What preventative measures are needed?
An avian veterinarian will always check the
base of the feet at a bird’s annual health check but the feet should be checked
at home at least fortnightly as well.
Content
© Copyright Bird Veterinarian
All care has been taken to ensure that the
information contained on, and accessed through, this web site is correct but
Bird Veterinarian accepts no responsibility nor liability for, and makes no representations
with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the information on this web
site. The information contained on the Bird Veterinarian web site is intended
as a general guide only and should not be relied on in place of professional
veterinary consultation.