Pododermatitis,symptoms and treatment!

Pododermatitis, or bumblefoot, is a relatively common condition of older pet birds. It is a general term for any inflammatory or degenerative condition of the avian foot and can range from mild redness to bony changes. Bumblefoot develops most commonly when birds are either housed with inappropriate perching or secondarily to an injury in one leg, which causes the bird to shift its weight to the other (good) leg and creates increased pressure and potential ulceration on the plantar surface of the foot. Birds most at risk are birds with leg fractures; arthritis of a hip, stifle, or tarsal joint; and obese birds or birds on a poor diet (eg, vitamin A deficiency). These are the same conditions that can predispose a bird to arthritis. Bumblefoot is often a sequela of osteoarthritis. Pododermatitis is a progressive disease. A localized hyperemic lesion develops, followed by ulceration and, if untreated, abscess formation and osteomyelitis. Initially, the skin on the metatarsal and digital pads becomes flattened and smooth. The skin may become proliferative and then ulcerate, allowing bacterial access, which leads to inflammation and infection. As the infection progresses, tendon sheaths become affected, and osteomyelitis and septic arthritis develop.

Birds may present with lameness, depression, and anorexia due to the inflammation, pain, and infection. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, physical examination findings, radiographs, and culture results. Affected birds should be examined thoroughly for predisposing injuries or illness.

Treatment includes correcting inappropriate husbandry (adding padded perches or perches covered with artificial grass) and conversion to a healthier, preferably formulated diet. Weight loss and exercise should be encouraged in obese birds (flying, climbing, or walking). In early cases, this may be all that is necessary.

As the disease progresses, a bandage may be necessary to relieve the pressure on the lesion. The lesions should be kept clean. Strict sanitation of the perches and feet is important to prevent bacterial infections. If a scab is present, it should be softened and removed or surgically debrided. Antibiotic use should be based on results of culture and sensitivity testing. Staphylococcus spp is most commonly identified; other reported bacteria include Escherichia coli and Proteus spp. Effective antibiotics are amoxicillin/clavulanate (125 mg/kg, PO, tid), enrofloxacin (10–15 mg/kg, PO, bid), and marbofloxacin (5 mg/kg/day) for 10–14 days. Pain management is important and includes a combination of NSAIDs and/or opioids, depending on the severity of disease and after any surgical debridement. One regimen is meloxicam (0.5–1 mg/kg, once to twice daily) along with tramadol (15–30 mg/kg, PO, bid-tid), and, in severe cases or after surgery, butorphanol (0.5–3 mg/kg, IM, every 4 hr, depending on species). Local anesthetics may be helpful after surgery.


source :  http://www.msdvetmanual.com/

What are Pododermatitis? Pododermatitis can include a number of changes to the avian foot such as lesions, redness, ulcerations, and abscesses. This condition is fairly common among older birds. This condition, also known as “bumblefoot”, is pretty common among older birds and can range from mild redness (a sign of inflammation) to more serious bony changes in the foot of the avian. Pododermatitis is found predominantly in birds of prey, waterfowl and other marine birds which are in captivity or some sort of rehabilitative care. This condition is frequently found in birds of the Psittacine family as well as heavy-bodied birds like the Amazon and Hyacinth macaws. Symptoms of Pododermatitis in Birds Pododermatitis is also sometimes called “plantar pododermatitis” as it describes the location of the injury to the foot of the avian. Some of the symptoms you will most likely see if this condition exists in your bird: Lameness Swelling and redness Heat Reluctance to walk Hard, pus-filled abscess located on the pad of the foot - will likely be coated with a black scab Calluses on the bottom of the foot Ulcerations (raw wounds) which may bleed and be open to infections Depression Pain Anorexia secondary to inflammation These symptoms can also sometimes be seen on the toes and hocks as well as the pads of the feet. Types There are four basic types of pododermatitis in birds: Type 1 - Serious chronic infection with disseminated cellulitis (inflammation of connective tissue) in the metatarsal pads of one or more digits (pads near the toes) Type 2 - Similar to type 1 but presents as a lesion on or near the digital or metatarsal pads Type 3 - Presents an independent lesion with thickened skin, localized swelling and redness Type 4 - Characterized by significant swelling or enlargement of the distal (furthest point from where toe attaches to foot) digital (toes) pads resulting from a tendon rupture Causes of Pododermatitis in Birds There are multiple causes of pododermatitis or bumblefoot. Below is a list of some which have been linked to development of the condition: Occurs when birds are housed with inappropriate perching - this is the most common cause Injury to one leg which causes the bird to shift weight to uninjured leg, creating increased pressure with resulting ulceration to the “good” foot Ulceration creates opportunity for the ever-present bacteria, which normally lives in the common avian habitat, to get into the tissues to cause infection Inappropriate substrate or bedding Self-inflicted talon wounds, bite wounds, other wounds from fighting Obesity Sedentary lifestyle Poor environmental hygiene Nutritional deficiencies Any combination of these factors can put your bird at risk for systemic infections which can lead to tissue and ultimately bone damage. Diagnosis of Pododermatitis in Birds Diagnosis is going to be based on the combination of description of your history of the malady to your veterinary professional, his findings from a physical examination and laboratory culture reports from blood and tissue samples he will likely deem appropriate. During his physical examination of your bird, he will be looking for calluses or nodules of hyperplastic epidermis (abnormal skin tissue) along the plantar surface of the feet of your bird. These are the earliest signs of the condition and are frequently not noticed until the condition worsens, progressing to ulceration, infection and ultimately leading to deeper infections in surrounding tissues which includes tendons and bones. Additionally, he will likely require radiographic (x-ray) imaging to add to his findings from the above mentioned diagnostic components. As he collects all of this information, your veterinary professional will be examining and assessing your bird for any illnesses or injuries to which the bird may have been predisposed. Treatment of Pododermatitis in Birds Based on the findings by your veterinary professional, he will likely recommend: Treatment of pododermatitis in your bird(s) which generally consists of correcting any of the perching issues, bedding issues and adjustment of nutrition as needed Fixing potential husbandry issues as well as cleaning and disinfecting your bird’s enclosure will eliminate injuries and stresses associated with those things Frequently, a bird’s diet is found to be lacking sufficient vitamin A and, if this is the case with your bird, recommendations will be made to supplement the diet to increase that vitamin Next, if bacterial type infections have been identified, he will need to address those, whether localized in the wound area or systemic, having spread through the body; cephalexin antibiotics have been used successfully in these cases For some birds, especially in the early stage cases, losing weight and increasing their exercise may be all that is required to remedy the problem Any wounds or ulcerations that are present will be treated and dressed according to their need to encourage healing Surgical treatments, natural healing products, therapeutic laser and even acupuncture may also be recommended, depending on the extent to which the pododermatitis has progressed Recovery of Pododermatitis in Birds It is important to note that many cases of pododermatitis in birds are mild and, when appropriate treatment is provided in a timely manner, the condition will resolve. However, it is also very important to note that, in some cases, the disease doesn’t respond to any of the treatment modalities and the afflicted bird will not flourish. The rate of morbidity is about 50 percent for those birds whose wounds are considered advanced as the opportunity for infection is significantly greater. The prognosis for healing and resolving the condition is better when the lesion is soft and pliable than when the lesion becomes hard as a rock. After the appropriate treatment is recommended and initiated, it may be necessary, especially in the case of open wounds or ulcerations, that you may be required to administer supportive care at home while the healing takes place. You should expect to separate the treated bird and allow it a rest in deep bedding, with recommended dressing changes and nutritional changes. Be prepared for the healing process to take weeks or months of care and close monitoring. In terms of prevention, closely monitor the body of your pet bird with attention paid to any areas of injury, pay particular attention to perching issues especially as they apply to materials used and the height of the perch, environmental hygiene issues involving manual litter removal and keeping the coop clean, providing deep bedding for your avian pets.

Read more at: https://www.vetary.com/bird/condition/pododermatitis

What are Pododermatitis? Pododermatitis can include a number of changes to the avian foot such as lesions, redness, ulcerations, and abscesses. This condition is fairly common among older birds. This condition, also known as “bumblefoot”, is pretty common among older birds and can range from mild redness (a sign of inflammation) to more serious bony changes in the foot of the avian. Pododermatitis is found predominantly in birds of prey, waterfowl and other marine birds which are in captivity or some sort of rehabilitative care. This condition is frequently found in birds of the Psittacine family as well as heavy-bodied birds like the Amazon and Hyacinth macaws. Symptoms of Pododermatitis in Birds Pododermatitis is also sometimes called “plantar pododermatitis” as it describes the location of the injury to the foot of the avian. Some of the symptoms you will most likely see if this condition exists in your bird: Lameness Swelling and redness Heat Reluctance to walk Hard, pus-filled abscess located on the pad of the foot - will likely be coated with a black scab Calluses on the bottom of the foot Ulcerations (raw wounds) which may bleed and be open to infections Depression Pain Anorexia secondary to inflammation These symptoms can also sometimes be seen on the toes and hocks as well as the pads of the feet. Types There are four basic types of pododermatitis in birds: Type 1 - Serious chronic infection with disseminated cellulitis (inflammation of connective tissue) in the metatarsal pads of one or more digits (pads near the toes) Type 2 - Similar to type 1 but presents as a lesion on or near the digital or metatarsal pads Type 3 - Presents an independent lesion with thickened skin, localized swelling and redness Type 4 - Characterized by significant swelling or enlargement of the distal (furthest point from where toe attaches to foot) digital (toes) pads resulting from a tendon rupture Causes of Pododermatitis in Birds There are multiple causes of pododermatitis or bumblefoot. Below is a list of some which have been linked to development of the condition: Occurs when birds are housed with inappropriate perching - this is the most common cause Injury to one leg which causes the bird to shift weight to uninjured leg, creating increased pressure with resulting ulceration to the “good” foot Ulceration creates opportunity for the ever-present bacteria, which normally lives in the common avian habitat, to get into the tissues to cause infection Inappropriate substrate or bedding Self-inflicted talon wounds, bite wounds, other wounds from fighting Obesity Sedentary lifestyle Poor environmental hygiene Nutritional deficiencies Any combination of these factors can put your bird at risk for systemic infections which can lead to tissue and ultimately bone damage. Diagnosis of Pododermatitis in Birds Diagnosis is going to be based on the combination of description of your history of the malady to your veterinary professional, his findings from a physical examination and laboratory culture reports from blood and tissue samples he will likely deem appropriate. During his physical examination of your bird, he will be looking for calluses or nodules of hyperplastic epidermis (abnormal skin tissue) along the plantar surface of the feet of your bird. These are the earliest signs of the condition and are frequently not noticed until the condition worsens, progressing to ulceration, infection and ultimately leading to deeper infections in surrounding tissues which includes tendons and bones. Additionally, he will likely require radiographic (x-ray) imaging to add to his findings from the above mentioned diagnostic components. As he collects all of this information, your veterinary professional will be examining and assessing your bird for any illnesses or injuries to which the bird may have been predisposed. Treatment of Pododermatitis in Birds Based on the findings by your veterinary professional, he will likely recommend: Treatment of pododermatitis in your bird(s) which generally consists of correcting any of the perching issues, bedding issues and adjustment of nutrition as needed Fixing potential husbandry issues as well as cleaning and disinfecting your bird’s enclosure will eliminate injuries and stresses associated with those things Frequently, a bird’s diet is found to be lacking sufficient vitamin A and, if this is the case with your bird, recommendations will be made to supplement the diet to increase that vitamin Next, if bacterial type infections have been identified, he will need to address those, whether localized in the wound area or systemic, having spread through the body; cephalexin antibiotics have been used successfully in these cases For some birds, especially in the early stage cases, losing weight and increasing their exercise may be all that is required to remedy the problem Any wounds or ulcerations that are present will be treated and dressed according to their need to encourage healing Surgical treatments, natural healing products, therapeutic laser and even acupuncture may also be recommended, depending on the extent to which the pododermatitis has progressed Recovery of Pododermatitis in Birds It is important to note that many cases of pododermatitis in birds are mild and, when appropriate treatment is provided in a timely manner, the condition will resolve. However, it is also very important to note that, in some cases, the disease doesn’t respond to any of the treatment modalities and the afflicted bird will not flourish. The rate of morbidity is about 50 percent for those birds whose wounds are considered advanced as the opportunity for infection is significantly greater. The prognosis for healing and resolving the condition is better when the lesion is soft and pliable than when the lesion becomes hard as a rock. After the appropriate treatment is recommended and initiated, it may be necessary, especially in the case of open wounds or ulcerations, that you may be required to administer supportive care at home while the healing takes place. You should expect to separate the treated bird and allow it a rest in deep bedding, with recommended dressing changes and nutritional changes. Be prepared for the healing process to take weeks or months of care and close monitoring. In terms of prevention, closely monitor the body of your pet bird with attention paid to any areas of injury, pay particular attention to perching issues especially as they apply to materials used and the height of the perch, environmental hygiene issues involving manual litter removal and keeping the coop clean, providing deep bedding for your avian pets.

Read more at: https://www.vetary.com/bird/condition/pododermatitis