[Gpdd] HEALTH: Ivy's Bumblefoot

[Corinne Webb]

Hi Lisa,

I have just read your post about Ivy's bumblefoot.  My elderly rat Jimmie 
has been suffering with bumblefoot for about the last 9 months and I have 
read everything on the internet and tried pretty much everything to get the 
problem under control.  Jimmies bumbles are in the form of 2 huge growths on 
the bottom of both back feet.

The first thing to do is to line the floor of Ivy's house with layers of 
soft towels or fleece - hay or anything spiky will be really painful for her 
to walk on.  Jimmies house has 3 layers of fleece and 3 layers of towels 
over that.  Keeping the floors spotless is also very important - the towel 
on top is removed and replaced every day.  If he poos, I clear that up 
immediately so he can't walk through it and cause any germs to infect his 
feet further.

He has been on antibiotics (septrin) and a painkiller/anti-inflammatory 
(metacam) twice a day since november.  I have also tried various topical 
treatments, none of which have worked.  No-one really knows the true cause 
of bumblefoot - some say hard floors, some that staphylococcus bacteria is 
the culprit and some really don't have a clue.  My vet is an exotics expert 
and has given lectures around the world about many topics and bumblefoot - 
its possible causes and treatments- has been the most recent: and even he is 
ultimately at a loss.

The most recent topical treatment we are trying is actually an ear drop 
product used for cats and dogs.  This is not available where I live in the 
UK, so I have had it shipped over from the USA.  It's called Zymox Otic and 
contains 1% hydrocortisone.  Its like a gel which you apply over the bumble 
everyday.  You mustn't use anything else on the feet while you are using 
these drops, (don't even wash/clean the feet) as it contains particular 
enzymes which won't work if used with other products.  I have only been 
using the ear drops for four days on Jimmies feet so it's a bit early to 
tell how effective they will be.

I noticed that Ivy's bumblefoot has no sore involved so I'm not too sure how 
effective the drops may be on her feet.

Sorry this post is so long - but as you can tell, the bumblefoot problem is 
something I am dealing with myself - and Jimmie of course!!

If you need anymore info Lisa, please feel free to email me directly and 
I'll do my best to help if I can.

Love and healing cuddles to Ivy.  Jimmie Rat and I both hope she feels 
better soon.

Corinne xx
Slave to Jimmie Rat, Bradley Pigg and Leonard Walter Shuttlecock (guinea 
masters), Dinky and Rudy (gerbils) and Mindy (rescued greyhound)

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