TREATING BUMBLEFOOT: Part II

The second installment of a 3-part article summarizing lots of different bumblefoot treatments, using (hopefully) medications that are easily procurable where you live.

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THE GENERAL METHOD OF TREATMENT entails a three-fold process:

1 TRY TO KEEP THE SORE CLEAN: Cage debris contributes to infection; washing the afflicted foot with standard soap and water really helps. Try soaking it in warm water to help get debris, like bedding bits, out of the sore. I soaked the foot in Listerine or Hydrogen Peroxide but I stopped when some Ratlisters thought they were too harsh on the skin tissue. Wash the foot, then pat it dry before treating further.

If the bumble is really bloody, some Ratlisters tried wrapping the foot. If you want to bandage it, you can wrap 8's around his ankle and foot with 1" gauze and tie a loose knot around his ankle - he'll chew most or all of it off but it'll keep most of the crud out.

In an effort to keep the foot clean, I dipped the foot into cornstarch after I washed it.

2 ANTIBACTERIAL to treat infection

3 DRYING AGENT to prevent regrowth of new bacteria

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HOW TO CHOOSE A TREATMENT

COST: If you can afford it, I'd say, don't bother reading this article -- just run to your vet.

AVAILABILITY: I know you can't get Blu-Kote or Gentian Violet in Australia, so research what you can get where you live and through the Internet and choose a treatment that's easily available to you.

EFFICACY: Try some of the treatment methods and/or medications for a week or so and see if there is any improvement. If you find one that works, stick with it.

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THE TREATMENTS

BLU-KOTE TREATMENT The common OTC treatment in the USA is Blu-Kote, a wound treatment for horses. In the US, you can get it at a feed store or online. a) Prepare for treatment: Blu-Kote stains! So wear an old shirt and put newspaper around the room wherever you're going to administer the treatment. b) Apply Blu-Kote to the bumble 1-2x a day. Since Blu-Kote has alcohol in it, expect the rat to be jumpy. Blow on it to dry it.

MISSY'S TREATMENT a) Clean the bumbles several times every day with Chlorhexiderm Flush. http://craftycreatures.com/forferretsonl...

b) Apply Betadine several times each day.

c) Apply DILUTED Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) directly to the bumbles several times each day.

d) Apply DILUTED tea tree oil to the bumbles several times each day.

e) Give Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) orally. Use the recommended pet dosage of 1 drop per 10 pounds of rat. I count drops of fruit syrup and drops of GSE into a dropper bottle. 1 drop GSE for 9 drops fruit juice. Mix a bunch up and store it in the 'fridge.

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