Bumble Foot!
No, it’s not the latest hottest Xbox game…and it’s not the name of the newest outrageous garage band discovered on YouTube. Bumble foot is a serious, sometimes fatal, condition that affects millions of animals each year.
After helping Carolina Waterfowl Rescue with a goose rescue on a golf course, Stuart’s Mom Samantha asked Jennifer (the director of the rescue group) and her daughter to look at some blisters on Stuart’s feet that had their vet stumped. The little girl immediately said, “it’s bumble foot!”
Jennifer explained that bumble foot is a condition where sores appear on the feet and if not treated properly can result in a serious infection that can cause a bird to go lame, or worse, the infection can enter the bloodstream and be fatal.
The local resident who contacted Carolina Waterfowl Rescue for help rescuing the geese suggested they take Stuart to her home to treat his feet. She provided some first aid supplies and Jennifer went to work on Stuart’s feet. After draining the blisters, applying medication and bandaging Stuart’s feet, Jennifer suggested that Sam find an avian vet as soon as possible.
An online search led Samantha to Dr. Greg Burkett.
Dr. Burkett is board certified and has an avian specialty practice in Durham, North Carolina. He is also a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). During their first visit with Dr. Burkett he told Stuart’s Mom that Jennifer’s timely treatment of Stuart’s feet probably saved his life.
Oh yeah……so there IS a band called Bumblefoot…go figure!
The JP Crew!