Bumblefoot has a nasty case of bumblefoot, a "pressure ulcer" to you humans.

Bumblefoot, an Antarctic Emperor penguin, has a nasty case of bumblefoot (pododermatitis), which is common in raptors because they stand around on one foot a lot, and in sedentary penguins who also stand around on one foot a lot.  Bumblefoot is a serious disease, which if left untreated can lead to the death of my penguin buddy of the same name.  Pressure ulcers are no less serious in humans.  A bed sore can kill you.

Bumblefoot's day to day behavior can be compared to that of a human couch potato.  He has deficient nutrition, rarely exercises, is not big on personal hygiene, and rarely takes the advice of his doctor or, in the case of Bumblefoot, his avian vet.  Fortunately for couch potatoes, most do not develop bed sores.  Every now and then, they do get up to visit the frig, the packy and their beds.  Bed bound humans are not so lucky.  They share most, if not all of the contributing factors to Bumblefoot's complaint and they do get pressure ulcers.  Bumblefoot is a huge problem in zoos.  Bed sores are a huge problem in hospitals, nursing homes and for any human who sits immobile in a wheelchair or who cannot, or does not, move around much in bed.

The Association of Avian Veterinarians have more to say about bumblefoot.  The European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) and American National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) have a lot of helpful things to say about bed sores.

More on each later: