Anything for swelling and pain?

[Trevorusn]

So my buddy Ruger has swollen wattles due to frostbite.

He seems to be bearing his pain stoically, but he is also definately not his normal self. Is there anything I can give him for the pain/swelling? Also, we have single digit night temps predicted for Thursday and Friday, would it be best to set him up in the house to heal or just leave him and the flock dynamic alone?

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I think I remember hearing people coating the combs and wattles with Vaseline to fight off frost bite? Not sure as I don't live in freezing climates.

 

[Trevorusn]

I think I remember hearing people coating the combs and wattles with Vaseline to fight off frost bite? Not sure as I don't live in freezing climates.

Vaseline is a barrier against moisture, it can help but won't always prevent frostbite. And you cannot apply anything once the frostbite has taken hold as it could cause pain.

 

[CatWhisperer]

I recommend looking for a way to prevent frostbite. You rooster has it, so others are suffering from the same cold. Get a safe heat source, seal any drafts, make sure there is adequate ventilation in the coop, keep it dry-remove waterers, keep poop cleaned up.

 

[Eggcessive]

He will eventually heal on his own, but may have shorter wattles and a rounded comb. If you could bring him inside for a few days, you could use Vetericyn or Theracyn or similar wound spray from your feed store to spray on the wattles and comb. But don’t use those if you cannot being him inside. Do not handle or massage/rub his wattles or comb since they are painful and it can damage them further. Most chickens with those huge combs and wattles are in danger of frostbite in severe freezing temps. Waterers which they can get their wattles wet, can add to frostbite. Raising them higher might help. Dampness and drafts may cause frostbite. High overhead ventilation can help to remove moisture from breathing. Here is a good article to read:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

 

[Trevorusn]

He will eventually heal on his own, but may have shorter wattles and a rounded comb. If you could bring him inside for a few days, you could use Vetericyn or Theracyn or similar wound spray from your feed store to spray on the wattles and comb. But don’t use those if you cannot being him inside. Do not handle or massage/rub his wattles or comb since they are painful and it can damage them further. Most chickens with those huge combs and wattles are in danger of frostbite in severe freezing temps. Waterers which they can get their wattles wet, can add to frostbite. Raising them higher might help. Dampness and drafts may cause frostbite. High overhead ventilation can help to remove moisture from breathing. Here is a good article to read:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

I've perused that article many times this winter lol, I already opened up ventilation, and he is the only one who has it thanks to his pendulous wattles getting in the waterer. He is so tall that there really isn't anywhere I can raise it further and still have it be accessible to the ladies. I'll try bringing him inside tomorrow, thanks for the tips on Vetericyn and Theracyn, I'll give them a try.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Aspirin is a chicken-safe painkiller, if you want to explore that avenue.

 

[Trevorusn]

Aspirin is a chicken-safe painkiller, if you want to explore that avenue.

I was curious on this, any old aspirin or is it more specific?? Should I crush it and give pieces to him orally?

 

[sean_wonder]

PRID: it’s a drawing salve that reduces swelling but can also help with things like bumblefoot!

In the future, apply Vaseline generously when it gets below freezing to his wattles & comb to prevent further frostbite.

 

[sylviethecochin]

• CAUTION: Do NOT give Ibuprofin (Advil, etc.) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.) to birds! Those are harmful to them.
• Buffered aspirin(such as Bayer, etc.) can be used for a chicken to help reduce:
  • Stress, listlessness, discomfort, pain
  • Fever
  • Swelling / inflammation.
    Caution:
    Aspirin thins blood and keeps it from clotting as quickly as normal.
    • You should wait until internal and external injuries have begun to heal before using aspirin.
    • Birds bruise more easily when on aspirin.
    • Aspirin carries risk of some damage to digestive system lining. The risk is higher if old, non-buffered, or broken-up pills are used; or if given in high or frequent amounts.
  • Note: A standard baby Aspirin is 80 mg, and a standard adult Aspirin pill is 325 mg.
  • Dose for chickens: Approx. 25 mg per pound of chicken's body weighteach day.
    • Examples: For a 6-lb. Large Fowl Leghorn rooster, give 1 baby aspirin or 1/4 of a regular aspirin for a morning dose, and the same amount for an evening dose ( = ~150 mg total per day).
      For a Bantam 1.6-lb. Bantam Leghorn rooster, give 1/4 of a baby aspirin for a morning dose, and the same amount for an evening dose (= ~40 mg total per day).
  • To administer:
    • To give immediately or in individual administrations: Crush up and split dose up into 2 or 3 administrations per day. Sprinkle the powder on a small tasty treat such as fruit or yogurt and give to the chicken.
    • To have the chicken self-administer throughout the day: Crush up the total daily dose and dissolve in the approximate amount of water that the chicken drinks each day. Pour into chicken's drinking container.

https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry