What is bumblefoot?
Ulcerative pododermatitis is also known as bumblefoot. The “bumbles” are really a form of an abscess commonly caused by the bacteria Staphyloccus aureus. Treatment usually includes a course of antibiotics and there is a product called Blu-Kote which many rat owners have used with varying degrees of success. Initially, it was commonly thought that walking on uncovered wire mesh floors and balconies was a major cause of bumblefoot. However, some rat owners have noticed that many cases of bumblefoot occur in cages with covered floors. A new hypothesis has been proposed which states that it is the constant exposure to urine (pooled on covered floors) that is causing the bumblefoot to occur. It has not been conclusively proven that covered or uncovered wire is better, but most rat owners choose a solid floor for a cage, and may or may not cover balconies or half floors. Above all, keeping a clean cage is the best prevention for bumblefoot.
