CAUTION! Pics may disturb. Abscess on my rooster?

rebrascora said:

Hi

Maybe just flush it with a sterile saline solution. My vet once told me that using a trigger sprayer to irrigate wounds is really good because the pressure of liquid hitting the site helps to get into any pockets and flush out debris/anything bad without the scrubbing action on the damaged tissue associated with conventional cleaning with a dressing. Certainly works great for horses wounds although I've always used diluted Chlorohexidine in the spray bottle.

As regards trying to draw the abscess, I understand that puss in chickens is not liquid like you would expect but a cheesy textured solid, so s needle wouldn't draw it out. Probably better to cut it open and physically remove like you would with bumblefoot, but see how you go with the antibiotics first.

Fingers crossed the antibiotics help and I would have some probiotics ready to give him once the course is finished... or fermented feed.... to help his gut get back to normal.

Best wishes

Barbara

Click to expand...

rebrascora said:

Hi

Maybe just flush it with a sterile saline solution. My vet once told me that using a trigger sprayer to irrigate wounds is really good because the pressure of liquid hitting the site helps to get into any pockets and flush out debris/anything bad without the scrubbing action on the damaged tissue associated with conventional cleaning with a dressing. Certainly works great for horses wounds although I've always used diluted Chlorohexidine in the spray bottle.

As regards trying to draw the abscess, I understand that puss in chickens is not liquid like you would expect but a cheesy textured solid, so s needle wouldn't draw it out. Probably better to cut it open and physically remove like you would with bumblefoot, but see how you go with the antibiotics first.

Fingers crossed the antibiotics help and I would have some probiotics ready to give him once the course is finished... or fermented feed.... to help his gut get back to normal.

Best wishes

Barbara

Click to expand...

Thanks Barb!

What would you recommend for probiotics to give to him?
-we have electrolytes that we have used before to help give them some juice and energy, would this help?

He is still perky tonight and eating well, also drinking well.

I'm considering giving him a bath and using a hairdryer to dry him off just so I can clean some blood off of him and maybe get a better look somehow after that. I am busy and wouldn't be able to do this till after the Packers game on Sunday but his condition has time to change before that.

Thanks again for all the great info everyone!

Joel

Sick chickens need help to support their immune system, which starts in their gut. The problem is antibiotics kill good and bad bacteria. This means that the gut is stripped of it's beneficial flora that help with the digestion of food. Using a probiotic afterwards helps to restore the good bacteria. This can be done via a manufactured product...I'm in the UK so not sure what brands would be available in the USA (maybe someone else can advise)
or
ferment some feed.
This is a very simple process. Place some feed in a jar/bowl or bucket depending upon quantity required and cover with water. It is helpful to add a few drops/splash (depending on volumes used) of Apple cider vinegar with "the Mother" Add more water after a few hours if it is quite solid....you are aiming for a gloopy porridge consistency. Leave at room temperature for a few days, stirring each day until it starts to bubble and you will smell a yeasty smell. Once it gets to this stage it is ready to use. If you feel that it is too sloppy for him to eat...just add some more pellets/mash into it and mix it up. You can keep the fermentation process going by just adding more pellets and water as you remove some and mixing, but keeping the mix sloppy. Fermented feed is beneficial for all chickens not just sick ones, so feel free to feed it to the rest of your flock too.

I have found that most chickens quite enjoy a warm bath and blow dry once they get over the initial panic. I use a trug or large bucket so that I can cover it with a piece of plywood or a heavy towel. They settle and relax better in the dark, but don't leave him unattended as there is always the risk of drowning.

Regards

Barbara

Update:

He seems to be getting more and more energy, and today with the nice weather we let him run around in the yard and socialize and he was putting a few moves on for the ladies! He is funny to watch. The abscess seems to be getting smaller near his neck but the one near his tail is still about the same size. Definitely eating a lot so that is good. Need to start fermenting some feed, not only for him but for the whole flock I think it would be a good treat! Thanks for all the advice everyone, hopefully he continues to improve.

Joel

Good to hear that he is looking brighter and eating well. Sunshine has huge benefits and grass too so it's great that you were able to let him out to enjoy it. Fingers crossed the antibiotics do the trick.