'balloon chicken'

[beauh]

One of my chickens was attacked by a fox, it survived as well as a few of it friends- 4 didn't. I was wondering if it had got a disease. It is like a balloon on one side of its body, where i think a fox scratched it, although it is only small, dosen't even draw blood. Any ideas
It is soft and feels like its full of water or liquids.

 

[NovaAman]

Scratches can become infected as well. You're going to need an antibiotic and a heat lamp. Or you are going to have to cull the bird. You could try draining.

Sorry for your losses.

 

[beauh]

Its still has healthy as its friends- running, dirt bathing, eating, drinking. What antibioic do you think would be best, also the weathers still hot, no need for a heat lamp. I don't believe in culling, if its alive it has a chance of life, like some of other birds who have got sick over the past years....
any advice on how to drain it, or should I take it too the vet or leave it to do it naturally.

 

[klmclain1]

How big is this balloon? Is it 1 inch? 5 inches?

 

[beauh]

It is quarter the size of an apple, and only on one side of the chicks body.

 

[klmclain1]

It needs to be drained. You'll need to sterilize a scalpel, X-acto knife, razor blade... something sharp. Wipe the area with alcohol, or betadine, or something similar. Lance it with a pretty good opening. Once you've drained it out as well as you can, you'll want to flush it with an antiseptic like a betadine/water solution. Then I would spray it with Blukote. I'd segregate her in a clean, dry area, away from the others. You'll want to monitor it twice a day. If you can clean it daily with the antiseptic that would help. Have you ever cleaned a cat abcess? You have to swab the inside of the abcess twice a day with a q-tip and the antiseptic. It heals from the outside edge towards the center so you're swabbing less and less every day. Does that make sense?

 

[beauh]

Yes- but I don't if I could do it- seems gruesome (although will do it for the chick!!!!)

 

[klmclain1]

get a helper to hold the chick.. and put a lightweight sock over her head. Helps to keep her calm. You can do it!

 

[beauh]

Could it explain it for dummies- don't want to hurt chick, please???

 

[charsbird]

Could it be air? If an airsack is injured, it can resolve itself. But if it's extreme, you can let air out with a needle. Do a search on BYC to see how other people have done this.