Rehabilitation

from the CLINIC - Bumblefoot by Katherine Tate, BS, RVT

Bumblefoot is also known as Pododermatitis. Essentially, this condition is inflammation of the feet. Bumblefoot can be a management problem, but can also develop due to an injury.  The cause of bumblefoot is due to the bird being in captivity for extended periods of time. This condition begins with the bird placing abnormal amounts of pressure to the feet. The unequal distribution of weight is due to inappropriately shaped perches, incorrect perch substrates, and enclosure layouts that cause the bird to injure the pads on their feet.

There is no treatment for Bumblefoot, only management of the problem. One of the most important husbandry rules to follow with raptors is to rotate their perches about every 2 weeks. This prevents them from favoring a perch/ substrate and decreases their likelihood of developing bumblefoot. Management techniques depend on the severity of the pododermatitis lesions. Early/minor bumblefoot will be cleaned and a skin protective material, like New Skin, will be applied. Moderate to severe lesions may need to be surgically debrided, cleaned, and a bandage applied. All bumblefoot lesions will be monitored. Since there is no treatment for this condition it is crucial to get rehab birds in and out of rehabilitation facilities as quickly as possible.

Case study L. Yellow RTHA: This patient originally presented with spinal trauma and leg paralysis on December 31, 2016. He developed bumblefoot on June 14^th, 2017.  The leg paralysis has prevented this patient from the full use of his right limb. He is unable to grasp the perch or his food with his right foot. As a consequence of this, he developed pododermatitis on P1 of both the right and left foot. P1 is also known as the hallux. Since 6/14/2017, the lesions have been cleaned with betadine and saline and toe bandages have been applied weekly. This patient has also been able to put weight on his right foot which he was unable to do previously. A round perch has been added to his enclosure to give him a variety of perches and substrates to perch on. The bumblefoot lesions are currently static and the scabs are healing. New, pink skin is developing under the scabs.