The foot is protected by a thick layer of stratified squamous epithelium over which a thin layer of keratin flows. On the plantar surface, there are rough papillae that help to grasp prey. The foot is anisodactyl type, with three toes facing forward and one toe facing backward. The first metatarsal is located at the distal end of the tarsometatarsus.

However, it is used to articulate the digit I, the hallux, which is a short finger directed posteriorly, consisting of two phalanges. The digits II, III and IV, have three, four, and five phalanges, respectively. The distal phalanx of each digit is a claw that, during the bird’s life, is covered externally by a corneal claw.

What is bumblefoot in Chickens?

The falconiform feet’ vascular network is composed of the digital arteries of digits I, II, III, and IV. In the region of the metatarsophalangeal joint, there are pulmonary arteries to the metatarsal cushion. The various metatarsal arteries form a plantar arterial arch that connects the lateral and medial vessels, deep in the sole, irrigating the plantar pad.

The foot’s microcirculatory bed, particularly the toes, has several arteriovenous anastomoses, which are supposed to be related to the conservation or dissipation of body heat. The foot’s largest vein is superficial, the medial plantar metatarsal vein, which runs under the podoteca.

Definition of Bumblefoot

We can now define Pododermatitis: A necrotic inflammation of the fingers and sole that can spread to the joints and tendons, being one of the most frequent diseases affecting birds of prey that live in captivity.

It can progress to deep infection, including necrosis of the tendons and osteomyelitis (septic inflammation of the bone marrow and bone, most often produced by bacteria lodged in the metaphyseal areas of long bones and vertebrae).

Symptoms of Bumblefoot in Chickens

The disease has different stages. Are they:

– Level I

It is usually moderate and localized, often involving only a finger or small point in the footpad center. It can be proliferative with the appearance of a “popcorn” or button, which can be confused with a cutaneous form of smallpox lesion, or degenerative with depression and thinning of the epithelium and, in some cases, ulceration.

Both cases can develop into a crust and are generally benign. Most of the time, there is no isolation of any microorganism. Injuries of this type are usually associated with improper perches or keeping the bird on abrasive surfaces, which end up injuring the feet’ skin and the sole.

– Level II

It is more extensive and is invariably associated with a pathogenic bacterium. There is an acute inflammatory lesion, and the histopathological examination usually shows an inflammatory reaction with the presence of fibrous tissue and mononuclear cells.

Many cases result from the evolution of an untreated type I lesion, although some can occur spontaneously. A common occurrence is the overgrowth of the hallux nail due to lack of wear, and consequently, an injury to the footpad when the bird claws over the food.

– Level III

It is chronic and invariably results from the evolution of a type II injury. The infectious process is present, but there is already fibrous tissue, with the presence of one or more bags filled with fibrin-purulent material and even cheesy in more advanced cases.

Mostly, the bones and joints are compromised. In these situations, only surgical intervention can solve the problem, since there is an initial response with antibiotic therapy, but the swelling reappears as soon as the treatment is stopped.

How to Treat Bumblefoot in Chickens

Treatment is daily. Firstly, the entire affected area must be cleaned, and ointments are used that have benzathine Penicillin G, Penicillin G procaine, Dihydrostreptomycin, and especially Urea, which is excellent for removing necrotic tissue. Continue daily application and removal of necrotic tissue with tweezers’ help until necrosis disappears, and live tissue (pink color) appears.

So it’s time to change the ointment.

In this stage, ointments will be used that have clostebol acetate, phenoxyethanol, and neomycin sulfate in their composition. These promote regeneration, or rather, the growth of new tissue, accelerating the healing process.

It is also recommended the concomitant use of some antibiotics in the drinking water to avoid the possibility of a systemic infection. This would be Norfloxacin, following the dilution and dosage instructions.