Bumblefoot (plantar pododermatitis) is an infection caused by staphylococcus bacteria. It is an inflammatory condition affecting any part of Turkey’s feet. Bumblefoot is most commonly found on the toes and pads of a turkey’s foot.
This blog post has put together everything you need to know about bumblefoot in turkeys.
Causes of Bumblefoot in Turkeys
There are several causes behind the development of bumblefoot. It normally starts with a small hard black spot on the bottom of the foot. Some common causes of bumblefoot in turkeys may include:
- Injury caused by uneven, hard, and rough floor surfaces
- Injury caused by improperly designed perches
- Poor diet and vitamin A deficiency
- A messy environment like accumulation of feces
- Overall unsanitary environment
- Walking around on damp, unsanitary bedding for prolonged periods
- Injury caused by overgrown toenails
- Fat, out of condition, or overweight turkeys
- Lack of activity
- Any previous leg or foot injury
- Aggression and fighting among turkeys
- Genetic malformation of turkey foot or leg
- Overuse of Diatomaceous Earth can dry your turkey’s feet out, and cause cracking
Turkeys that have had Bumblefoot before are more likely to get a recurrence.
How to treat bumblefoot in turkeys?
The severity of bumblefoot infection will determine the path of treatment. The turkey owner should keep the bird’s feet clean and sanitized. Adjust the living environment of the turkey to facilitate healing and prevent relapse of the infection.
I have had good success treating bumblefoot in turkeys with this bumblefoot spray.
Oral antibiotics and an antibiotic ointment will also help to control bumblefoot in turkeys. Your vet might recommend bandaging to prevent wounds from getting worse. There is also a technique called soaking which can be used to sanitize and cure your turkey’s bumblefoot.
In more severe cases, surgery will help to save the turkey feet. The turkey can be kept comfortable with pain and anti-inflammatory treatment.
If you have a chicken with bumblefoot, you should check out my article on How to Treat Bumblefoot in Chickens?
Symptoms of Bumblefoot in Turkeys
Here are some symptoms of bumblefoot in turkeys.
- A wound or abrasion on the sole of the foot
- Scabs on feet – black, dark, circular
- Redness
- Swelling in and around the toes, bottom of feet
- Stretched skin
- Thickening of skin
- Fatigue, lameness, and reluctance to walk
- Decrease in appetite
- Ulcers on soles of feet
- Pus build-up
Do not wait for the symptoms of bumblefoot to get worse as untreated bumblefoot can be fatal.
Bumblefoot stages
There are five stages of bumblefoot in turkeys. Stage 1 is the mildest while stage 5 is pretty severe and requires a difficult approach to treating. Obviously, the quicker you treat bumblefoot the better.
- Stage 1: In this stage, the infection begins forming and an initial wound appears. It is the best time to start treating bumblefoot in turkeys.
- Stage 2: In this stage, the original wound area begins to slightly swell. The center of the swollen area will have a dark black spot. In this stage, the infection starts causing some tissue damage.
- Stage 3: In this stage, a well-defined pocket of infection develops. The lesion in the center of the swelling becomes dark black. Affected turkey will show signs of lameness and slightly limping.
- Stage 4: In this stage, the turkey will show signs of injury. The swelling becomes pretty severe and you will observe redness around the lesion.
- Stage 5: In this stage, the entire turkey foot shows swelling. It can lead to damage of the bones and tendons in the foot, deformity and loss of function. In some cases, a turkey with stage 5 bumblefoot can eventually die.
Diagnosis of Bumblefoot in Turkeys
- The primary diagnostic tool is a thorough examination of turkey feet for signs of bumblefoot infection.
- In the advanced stages of bumblefoot, x-rays will reveal signs of infection and the affected areas on the joints or bones.
- Bacterial samples will be taken for evaluation. A blood sample can be taken to check for other possible health issues.
- An antibiotic sensitivity test may help determine the best possible antibiotic treatment.
Turkey bumblefoot pictures
Below is a picture of what bumblefoot looks like in turkeys. As you can see, there is a big bump caused by the swelling. If you notice your turkey has bumblefoot, it is important to treat it as quick as possible.
Final thoughts
Try to never give up on providing your turkey with the best quality of life possible. With good medical care, turkeys have a fair chance of overcoming bumblefoot. If you find that your turkeys are constantly contracting bumblefoot, then it may be time to look into preventative measures.
Your turkey’s weight, diet, and environment play a significant role in preventing bumblefoot. As a responsible pet parent, the best thing you can offer your turkey is a healthy diet and a clean and sanitary environment. It is also important to check in on your turkey daily to ensure they are looking and behaving normally.
