Birds Guide

Bumblefoot (ulcerative pododermatitis) is a bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction on the foot of birds of prey and rodents. This infection is much more likely to occur in captive animals than in those in the wild.

Bumblefoot on Birds of Prey

Bumblefoot is, perhaps, the largest cause of referral of birds of prey to a verterinary surgeon. Bumblefoot on birds of prey can be put into three broad types of the infection;

In the first type, a small reddened area, or sometimes a small shiny patch, can be seen on the foot. This is mostly caused by inappropriate perching (or perching for too long), or, less likely, by badly fitted furniture, such as jesses that are too small. To treat this type, one must change the fault in the husbandry, fly the bird regularly, and apply haemorrhoid cream to the effected foot.

The second type is more serious, where there has been some penetration has occurred. While treatment for the first type will help, it is likely that the bird will require antibiotics as well.

The third type involves the bird having severe distortion of the contours of the foot and/or the toes, resulting from the Bumblefoot causing considerable damage in the foot.

Bumblefoot in rodents

Bumblefoot in rodents is not necessarily associated with wire-floor cages, but more commonly with genetic factors, and/or an unsanitary living environment ^[1], although no conclusive evidence yet exists that would directly link this infection to these factors. Bumblefoot is so named because of the characteristic "bumbles" or lesions as well as swelling of the foot pad symptomatic of an infection. Topical antiseptics such as Blue-Kote in addition to oral or injected antibiotics may be used to combat the infection, which if left untreated may be fatal. ^[2]

Notes and references

• Ford, Emma. Falconry; Art and Practice. Cassell & Co 1992. Page 39/40.