Bumblefoot infection, known as ulcerative pododermatitis, is an inflammatory reaction and bacterial infection affecting the feet of rodents and birds. This condition is more common in captive animals than those living in the wild.

Treatments of bumblefoot on birds include changes in husbandry, performing regular flying exercise and applying hemorrhoid creams on the infected foot. When penetration occurs, antibiotics may be necessary. However, when damages to the foot arise, bumblefoot becomes untreatable. Topical antiseptics and injected antibiotics could treat bumblefoot in rodents. However, when left untreated, this infection could be fatal.

On birds, symptoms include reddening of the infected area, which may sometimes become shiny. Another type of bumblefoot can sometimes cause penetration. A severe type of bumblefoot develops severe distortion of the foot or toe’s contours, which results in total damages to the foot. Inflammation and swelling occurs on rodent’s foot when infected with bumblefoot.

On birds, bumblefoot is caused by inappropriate perching and badly-fitted furniture. On rodents, bumblefoot is caused by genetic factors and unsanitary environments.