What is Bumblefoot?
Bumblefoot is an oddly playful-sounding name given to a serious condition that strikes the feet, joints and bones of captive birds worldwide. Often referred to as pododermatitis, bumblefoot is an inflammatory condition of the soles of the feet that, if treated quickly and aggressively, can be resolved without causing long-term or significant damage to a bird. In some cases, however, birds beset by advanced and untreated bumblefoot can become so systemically infected that their lives are unsustainable. Bacterial infections that begin in the pads of the foot can ultimately lead to a bird’s death. Many surviving birds endure chronic abscesses and the amputation of a leg.
There are many factors that contribute to the development of bumblefoot, a condition that can easily be avoided with proper husbandry. One factor involves improper perches or surfaces in the bird’s living environment or enclosure. If a bird, for example, stands for extended periods of time on a cement floor, a wooden surface or a perch covered with a rough material like burlap, small cracks or worn-away areas form on the soles of the feet. Over a period of time, the bottom of the feet become mottled with the small, red spots or sores that characterize bumblefoot.
If the bird owner notices the formation of these sores, initiates veterinary treatment, and makes positive changes to the bird’s living environment, the prognosis for healing is good. However, without veterinary attention and environmental improvements, the sores typically turn into painful abscesses, which enable opportunistic pathogens (usually Staphylococcus aureus) to breach the surface of the thinning skin. In due time, the infection encroaches upon joints in the feet and bones in the legs, and surrounding tissues become necrotic. Ulcers may form on the feet, and the bird may become progressively lame.
Birds most at-risk for bumblefoot include obese birds, aging and disabled birds, due to the excess pressure placed on the feet, as well as limited mobility. Birds with any kind of immune weakness must be watched and cared for.
Bumblefoot is an inflammatory condition of the soles of the feet that, if treated quickly and aggressively, can be resolved without causing long-term or significant damage to a bird.
Symptoms of Bumblefoot in Birds
- Scabs on feet – dark, circular
- Redness
- Swelling
- Thickening of skin
- Lameness
- Reluctance to walk
- Ulcers on soles of feet
Causes of Bumblefoot in Birds
There are a variety of causes or predisposing factors behind the development of bumblefoot. Some of these include:
- Hard/uneven/rough floor surfaces
- Improperly designed or covered perches (small diameter, wooden or burlap covers)
- Damp, unsanitary bedding
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Accumulation of feces
- Overall unsanitary environment
- Poor diet
- Overgrown toenails
- Overweight
- Lack of activity
- Previous leg or foot injury
- Fighting among flock members
- Leg or conformation abnormality
Diagnosis of Bumblefoot in Birds
The primary diagnostic tool is an examination of both feet. Bumblefoot may present with redness, swelling, small red sores, or dark colored scabs on the pads of the foot/feet. Depending upon severity and length of time with the condition, there may be lesions, cracks, or discoloration.
Additionally, x-rays will reveal signs of infection, as well as any areas on the joints or bones where there’s been erosion or other damage.
Bacterial samples will be taken and evaluated at a microbiology lab in order to isolate the offending organism. An antibiotic sensitivity test may help determine the best course of antibiotic treatment to rid the bird of this terrible condition, or to manage it in the case of a chronic issue. A blood sample will be taken to check for other possible health conditions.
Treatment of Bumblefoot in Birds
The severity (classified grade of severity), type and path of infection will direct treatment. No matter what, the owner should keep the bird’s feet sanitized, and tailor the living environment to both promote healing and to eliminate destructive perches and surfaces. Oral antibiotics and antibiotic ointment will control the infection. Bandaging may be recommended in order to reduce the opportunity for pathogens to enter the wounds. In more severe cases, surgery (including debridement of abscesses) will help to save the feet, and life, of the bird. Antibiotics will be essential in resolving infection, and the bird can be kept comfortable with pain and anti-inflammatory medication.
Recovery of Bumblefoot in Birds
With fast and complete medical care, birds have a good chance of overcoming bumblefoot. While the immediate symptoms may be resolved, other lifestyle and environmental changes will give the bird the best chance for a bumblefoot-free future.
The quality and number of perches will influence your bird’s health. It’s best to supply perches of different sizes (such as diameter), positions (such as corner perches), and materials, including softer rope, braided cotton or different types of synthetic material. Perches must be kind on the bird’s feet. If you are unsure of the best material, please ask your vet or another aviary professional. Be sure to maintain clean perches so bacteria do not enter the feet.
Maintain proper nutrition, including Vitamin A. Since obesity is a risk factor for many health conditions, your vet can recommend an appropriate dietary and exercise regimen.
Some birds with serious cases of bumblefoot require long-term antibiotic treatment, particularly if the infection extended into the joints and bones. Your bird will signify pain by lifting one foot up at a time. Look at the soles of the feet each time you clean the cage. If there is bleeding or excess weeping/drainage, flush with sterile saline solution and keep it bandaged and dry until you can see the vet.
Like all pet owners, the best thing you can offer your companion is a clean, sanitary environment, nutritious food, and clean water.
Bumblefoot Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
I am a relatively new falconer but have over ten years experience volunteering with rehab birds of prey. Their husbandry is very familiar to me. I have a red tailed hawk that I am concerned might be developing bumblefoot, but I am not sure. We had a traumatic experience with getting the creance line getting tangled in a chain linked fence with *just* enough slack allowing the bird to barely touch the sidewalk enough to stand on his talons/tip toes. Of course, he tried to get a grip but scratched the crap out of his feet and essentially "filed" his talons a little bit. I couldn't intervene quickly because I had to run the length of the fence to the other side to pick him up and free the line. He bled quite a bit. When I got back, I hooded him and cleansed his feet, put neosporin on, and put dermabond over the cuts as my vet directed me to do. I've continued putting dermabond on those cuts weekly after cleansing with sterile saline, but the pads are starting to turn dark colored all over. There is no redness, they are not hot to the touch, no swelling, and the bird doesn't seem to mind me touching his feet, even without a falconry gauntlet to inspect those wounds. They seem to be scabbed over, but the dark color really concerns me. My vet is out of the office for a couple of weeks, and I am anxious that this might be the "eschar" I've seen around forums? He seems to not be bothered by them...yet. Thanks for your advice!!
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My budgie has bumblefoot and his toe is heading forward. If I move to the right position, it hurts her? Does it mean the bone is compromised or infected! Or perhaps there is a broken bone?
She can’t walk , wether she is perching or standing up that toe is heading forward and is a bit raised.
1. Does she need x - rays?
2- do you think the bone might be compromised or infected due to bumblefoot?
3- what could mean that by pushing his toe to the right position the budgie shouts and cries (of means it hurst I know ) but is it paralyzed or is showing sign of lameness?
4- should I try to massage her toe as it it stiffed? Or is not recommend it as I could broke a tendon as if I move her toe she shouts?
5- is there something I can do to make her feel better?
6- I wish I could send photographs but there isn’t a way to send attachments here
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Thank you very much! Your advice has been so helpful ! I’m continuing with the treatment I mentioned before and They are getting better step by step in slow motion. I have already talk with my vet About the x ray and she said it would be helpful . Thank you. I will keep updsting this thread
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Hi my budgie has bumblefoot. can see a wound in the center of his foot and it has a crust (I don't know if that is what's called necrotic tissue). It's dark brown. It's been getting smaller but is swelling in the surroundings of the wound. And one of his toe instead of lying backwards it's lying forward. I have tried moving her foot but it hurtaba my female budgie. She is receiving a treatment by desinfecting with chlorhexidine and iodopovidone. And also using one drop directly on the toe of ciprofloxacin. I don't know what else to do. The healing process is too slow. On February all her toes were perfect I don't know when did her foot start heading forward and l wonder if this is a permanent damage or will she recover fully after healing fully of her bumblefoot. The vet told me not to get X-ray yet She told me to let her finish the treatment. I. Sad and hopeless please help me. The vet l trust has moved abroad and the other vet are new for me
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I wonder if the toe that right now is heading forward to the right side horizontally instead of being backwards, would it recover its normal position once the wound of the pododermatitis (bumblefoot) has closed and healed?
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I have a baby canary that gets what looks like a blister on the toe which then fills with blood. The toe nail turns black. This doesn't seem to bother it. Have read about bumblefoot but the problem is not at the bottom of the foot but on top. I have read that it could be "gout" like in birds??? I feed it a quality seeds, lots of greens like romaine lettuce, broccoli, apple, grapes, orange slice. The cage has a variety of perches and they are clean. I clean the cage daily. I also provide fresh spring water with vitamins and sprinkle "Prime" by Hagen on an egg food which the bird loves. This little guy is only 12 weeks old.
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Hi my budgie has bumblefoot. I can see a wound in the center of his foot and it has a crust ( I don’t know if that is what’s called necrotic tissue) . It’s dark brown. It’s been getting smaller but is swelling in the surroundings of the wound. And one of his toe instead of lying backwards it’s lying forward. I have tried moving her foot but it hurtaba my female budgie. She is receiving a treatment by desinfecting with chlorhexidine and iodopovidone. And also using one drop directly on the toe of ciprofloxacin. I don’t know what else to do. The healing process is too slow. On February all her toes were perfect . I don’t know when did her foot start heading forward and I wonder if this is a permanent damage or will she recover fully after healing fully of her bumblefoot. The vet told me not to get X-ray yet . She told me to let her finish the treatment. I. Sad and hopeless please help me. The vet I trust has moved abroad and the other vet are new for me
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I wonder if the toe that right now is heading forward to the left side side horizontally instead of being backwards, would it recover its normal position once the wound of the pododermatitis (bumblefoot) has closed and healed?
The bumblefoot is being treated and the wound is a bit smaller but the area surrounding the wound is swelling and has make his foot bigger and now this toe is heading forward. Please help me and let me know if
1- it will go back to normal after the pododermatitis has healed? How many probabilities does she of recovering the normal position backward of her toe on her right feet?
2- Is it okey to keep using iodopovidone or is too rough for his foot skin?
Please help me I would recommend you but please answer my main questions
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I understand. I asked the vet and she can’t give me an assurance about it either :( we shall see .. I will take the x Ray this week if possible
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I have a normal breed budgie and I has pain its legs I thing its the first stage of bumble foot disease
I don't have a vet in my area so I need help immediately
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My parrot has some problem in his left leg. Something like limping. When he was 3 weeks old felt from the nest, his leg was broken( same left leg). I took him home. Since then his leg is distorted. But he never find any difficulty in walking or running. But when he falls or jump from very height limping happens. But this time nothing happens like that all of a sudden slowly he is finding difficultly in walking. Also i saw a blister kind of thing on his hock joint but that is there since long time. I have pictures of his leg if you want. Please help me. I took him to Vet but they gave him Melonex medicine. And he is not getting well.
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Hi my budgie has bumblefoot. can see a wound in the center of his foot and it has a crust (I don't know if that is what's called necrotic tissue). It's dark brown. It's been getting smaller but is swelling in the surroundings of the wound. And one of his toe instead of lying backwards it's lying forward. I have tried moving her foot but it hurtaba my female budgie. She is receiving a treatment by desinfecting with chlorhexidine and iodopovidone. And also using one drop directly on the toe of ciprofloxacin. I don't know what else to do. The healing process is too slow. On February all her toes were perfect I don't know when did her foot start heading forward and l wonder if this is a permanent damage or will she recover fully after healing fully of her bumblefoot. The vet told me not to get X-ray yet She told me to let her finish the treatment. I. Sad and hopeless please help me. The vet l trust has moved abroad and the other vet are new for me
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