Diagnosis and Treatment of Pododermatitis in Birds


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Gerbaga Özsemir K.

Türkiye klinikleri veteriner bilimleri (online), vol.9, no.2, pp.62-68, 2018 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

Abstract

Pododermatitis (bumblefoot) is a common foot disease encountered in exotic caged birds, rehabilitated wild birds, and poultry. Bumblefoot is characterized by the injury of the integument of the avian footpad, usually the plantar metatarsal pad or digital pads, which leads to superficial to deep ulceration and infection of internal tissues of the foot. Foot lesions are important for health and welfare of captive and wild birds. If not treated, it leads to lameness, systemic infection, loss of efficiency, even loss of extremity. Early diagnosis of the disease will increase the chances of treatment. Owners should be alerted that treatment is often prolong and disease can recurrence. This condition is very common in captive birds but is rare in free living birds. This review explains the anatomy and physiology of the avian foot, lists the most common predisposing and ethiologic factors of avian pododermatitis, and discusses the therapeutics, including surgical, medical and alternative therapies. It aims to be a comprehensive resource to guide veterinarians for management of avian pododermatitis disease.