FINCHforum

I have recently been reading some threads from our forum on bumblefoot. I seems like its a very complex issue and a lot has been written on it. I have a question that I couldn't seem to find the answer to in the threads... Is it is contagious? Does one bird get it, and then others get if from that bird... or is it due to bad husbandry, so all of the birds show symptoms due to the bad living conditions?

Bumblefoot is really a complex problem that probably has more than one contributing factor. There are also different stages that vary in severity and course of action for treatment. From what I've read, the most likely causes are too much protein in the diet, not enough vitamin A, a compromised immune system and lack of perch cleanliness and size assortment. Being that the final stages are a staff infection, I would say it can be contageous, but only if the other birds are subject to the other causing factors. JMO. Bob

thanks bob for the info!

30 Seconds to Bob wrote: Bumblefoot is really a complex problem that probably has more than one contributing factor. There are also different stages that vary in severity and course of action for treatment. From what I've read, the most likely causes are too much protein in the diet, not enough vitamin A, a compromised immune system and lack of perch cleanliness and size assortment. Being that the final stages are a staff infection, I would say it can be contageous, but only if the other birds are subject to the other causing factors. JMO. Bob

I had always thought it was as a result of a puncture wound on the bottom of the bird's foot or a circulation problem and also poor hygiene
I also consider a bath essential in keeping the feet clean at the very least
Had no idea the causes were so many and varied
Good post Bob
Regards , Mick M

An interesting article:
http://www.avianweb.com/bumblefoot.html

debbie276 wrote: An interesting article:
http://www.avianweb.com/bumblefoot.html

Excellent post Debbie , very extensive
Regards , Mick M.

Thanks! The article was very helpful

Reading about bumblefoot, (the causes,and symptoms), it reminds me a lot of the avian gout we used to discuss on an old canary forum. I wonder if they are one in the same or somehow related? Bob

I had heard - and from the old canary books I've collected, they ascertain it can be caused by a lack of different in size and shape for perches, eg. using all wooden dowel perches. Not sure about the immunty factor. I've always given my birds cleaned/disinfected (though natural) perches which are changed regularly. Never seen this issue, even in my very old 11 year old canary - though he does have thickened scales on his legs.