Bumblefoot is a term used to describe an infection called plantar pod dermatitis on a chicken’s foot. It is marked by swelling, sometimes redness and often, a distinguishing black or brown scab on the bottom of a chicken’s foot. Bumblefoot occurs when bacteria, such as Staphylococcus invade and cause infection in the skin of a chicken’s foot, creating a pus-filled abscess. The most common behavioural symptoms of bumblefoot include limping and lameness. Bumblefoot, if left untreated, can be fatal, as the infection can spread to other tissues and eventually to the bones.

Treatment involves the following apparatus to clean and wrap the chicken’s foot:

• Saline solution;
• Vetericyn wound and infection spray
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Gauze pads
• Vet wrap
• Electrical tape
• Scalpel
• Epsom Salt

Soaking the affected foot in warm water and Epsom salt (or an antiseptic, such as Betadine), and then applying an antimicrobial, such as Vetericyn VF, on the surface of the foot is significant to kill the bacteria causing infection.
Other cases of bumble foot may be treated by excising the scab with a scalpel, applying an antimicrobial to the abscess, covering the wound with non-stick gauze and wrapping the foot with an elastic bandage, such as Vet rap. An antimicrobial is reapplied two to three times a day, and the wound is re-covered until healed.

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However, not all cases of bumble foot respond to this superficial treatment. More progressive abscesses must be surgically removed. In some instances, antibiotics might be necessary.

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