If you have a bird, you may have heard the term bumblefoot. While this may sound like a whimsical term for a clumsy pet, in actuality, bumblefoot is nothing to laugh at. Bumblefoot—despite its cutesy name—is a foot infection in our feathered friends. This condition can be both painful and dangerous for Polly! Here, a Crown Point, IN vet lists some ways to prevent bumblefoot.
Provide A Clean Cage
Polly spends the vast majority of her time in her cage, so making sure that it stays nice and clean is very important. This is easiest if you break cage cleaning down into daily, weekly, and monthly chores. Every day, you should remove waste and uneaten food, wipe down the cage, and clean your winged pal’s dishes. Once a week, wash the tray; remove and scrub the gate; and clean, disinfect, and rotate your bird’s toys and perches. Every month, thoroughly deep clean and disinfect the entire cage. Ask your vet for more information.
Check For Sharp Edges
Check your feathered pal’s cage, toys, and perches regularly. Make sure all of the edges are smooth. Even a small splinter can cause problems!
Proper Perch Setup
Perches are crucial to our feathered buddies. Polly uses her perches to groom herself, socialize, play, exercise, and sleep. It’s important to give your winged friend a few different perches, all of different strengths and materials. Perches should be less than 18 inches off the cage floor for most birds, though you’ll want to check with your vet for specific advice. Be careful not to place them over your cute pet’s food bowls! Choosing the right size is also important: perches that are too big or too small can cause serious issues with your bird’s feet and legs. Change perches out regularly to keep things fun and interesting for Polly. Finally, as mentioned above, perches should be cleaned, disinfected, and inspected weekly.
Good Diet
Poor nutrition can cause, aggravate, or contribute to many different health problems, including bumblefoot. Follow your vet’s nutritional recommendations.
Watch For Warning Signs
Keep a close eye out for symptoms. Lameness; weight shifting; sores; scabs; unwillingness to walk, land or stand; redness; swelling; and thick skin are some of the common ones. Ask your vet for more information.
Please contact us, your Crown Point, IN pet hospital, for more information about bumblefoot. We’re here to help!
