Aloe Vera

[Falcon]

Ok I was chatting with a landlord at one of the local pubs the other week (he has flown all sorts of raptors before and was a chairman of a falconry club in Kent) and we were discussing Bumblefoot. He said the best thing that works on bumblefoot is Aloe Vera!!!!!!!! So has anyone else used this (and I'm not talking about a certain brand of toilet paper either :lol: :roll: ) or have you used it for anything else? What are your opinions on this.
I know Jenny from IBR had done a write up in the IBR directory and used to sell various Aloe Vera products especially aimed at bird keepers (raptors being the main ones).
Or we can discuss any other alternative therapies or the likes on here too!!! :D

[Saker-Clive]

I regularly use Holland & Barrett's Aloe Vera gel on the birds legs and feet; it is something that I've always done, without any prompting from anyone.
The feet and legs are a vital part of their make up, catching prey etc. so why not look after them? It also helps to keep them clean.

[Bod]

Tea Tree Skin Cream is another 'natural' product, which is mildly antiseptic. I have used in on show Canaries legs without detriment. It cleans the skin and helps heal minor cuts etc.
The one I use is made by Johnson's and cost me £2.39 for a 50 gramme tub.

[Falcon]

Great that is exactly what I wanted to hear on this thread, I've never used either product myself and I'm really interested in alternative therapies and all!

[Claire]

we grow aloe plants and use it direct from the plant its great for the birds feet and wont hurt them if they decide to have a nibble lol. we had a female harris who objected to having her feet touched she would bite your hand. After she had been flown we used to spend 5 mins massagine aloe vera into her feel it feels nice and cool and the result is she learned to accept us touching her feet. Also i use aloe on my daughter if she has a cold and a red nose lol

[FalconerUK]

one of the best aloe vera products is one called Aloe propolis creme propolis is a natural agent used by bees to maintain the health of a hive.
it is a antimicrobial substance which fights bacteria,virruses & fungal infections added with aloe keeps the infection etc moist while the propolis works on the infection it can reduce scaring by a third on injurys using this creame costs around £13. i use it on all our birds & had no foot probs

[Sparrow Hawker]

Hi,

Great thread, I have used Tea Tree Cream in the past which is good. Although I haven't used Aloe Vera I have heard how good it is.

All The Best,

HH

[FalconerUK]

if anyone wants any info i can send you via post we sell products just send me SAE . REGARDS MICK

[Sprout]

Not overly up to date on alternative remedies etc but sure they all have some benefits. As far as bumblefoot goes there is no substitute for good perching and hygiene. The act of massaging an ointment into the foot is probably more beneficial than the actual ointment. One thing to be careful about is the base for the cream, remember an oily cream will matt the feathering. I used to use preparation H which is ok so long as skin not broken/infected and acts as a vascular stimulant so in cases of bumblefoot will be beneficial. I now use dermisol routinely as it helps remove necrotic tissue and stimulates healthy granulation tissue so this time useful with wounds but again both are oily so must be massaged in VERY well to prevent oiling the plumage