I've dealt with my share of wounds, but they are usually caught early and infection is a rarity. However, this morning I went out to check on the chickens and get eggs. One of my hens had a few feathers missing on her neck (mating) and I grabbed her to check to make sure if was minor (it is!
). However, I felt something slimy on her leg. My mind first though poo, but it smelled different and it couldn't be blood since blood is usually sticky, not slimy. So, as expected, I found an infected wound on the front of her thigh. An odd place and it is a puncture wound, so I suspect she got herself tangled up in something (who knows what! A loose wire in the fencing?). Anyway, I brought her in and cleaned the wound as best as I could. It smells SO nasty!
After an hour or more of cleaning and flushing the wound, I packed it with neosporin. She, of course, is in the house now and she is on Aureomycin (chlorotetracycline), a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
My question is related to the antibiotic though. There is so much talk about antibiotic-resistant bacteria and I know that Aureomycin in not the strongest antibiotic out there. So, how many days does it take before being able to tell if the bacteria is resistant? She currently acts as if nothing is wrong (though the infection is bad enough to stink up the kitchen and living room area!), but I know that infections can quickly take a turn for the worse. I'd rather be prepared and have the Aureomycin work, then be unprepared and lose her because she has a resistant strain.
Thanks so much!!
My question is related to the antibiotic though. There is so much talk about antibiotic-resistant bacteria and I know that Aureomycin in not the strongest antibiotic out there. So, how many days does it take before being able to tell if the bacteria is resistant? She currently acts as if nothing is wrong (though the infection is bad enough to stink up the kitchen and living room area!), but I know that infections can quickly take a turn for the worse. I'd rather be prepared and have the Aureomycin work, then be unprepared and lose her because she has a resistant strain.
Thanks so much!!