Can I inject Penicillin to stop the infection?

[HenJo]

Okay so my Barred Rock hen got a chunk of her thigh bitten off by some animal. I've been treating her with some peroxide, saline solution, and some cream. I've been treating her on and off for some 4 weeks already. The wound has healed a lot but it stinks really bad. I went to Tractor Supply looking for some more antibiotics and told them bout my situation and said that if the wound stinks then it is an infection and it's probably already in the blood. So they recommended I would give her an injection of penicillin to get rid of the infection. They told me go to to the vet but they don't accept chickens there. I've cut all the feathers that I could around the wound so it can air out. I really don't know what to do for her, I don't want to put her down. What can I do?? Should I wash the whole part of the wound so I can get all cleaned?

Pictures can be posted if they are needed

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Tylan injection is what I would use. TSC sells it...personally I have the one that is 50mg/cc and I give about 3/4 cc to my bantam hen so if it is a standard size chicken you could probably give her 1 cc. Give it every day for 4 days...per my vet. Others may have a different idead for how long to give it. Good luck...you should be able to clear it up without having to put her down.

 

[MissPrissy]

Peroxide kills healthy tissues and may have caused the wound to linger londer. Iodine wash is best.

I don't medicate my birds and practice heavy culling so I can't advise on antibiotics. The stink indicates heavy infection. Often they won't recover from the infection going septic.

 

[HenJo]

Thanks guys for the quick responses.
How can I make an Iodine wash?
I got something like called de-colorized iodine in a bottle.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Put about 1 oz of iodine (betadine or povidone-iodine generic) with about 5 oz of water and wash all the gunk off with that using guaze or papertowels.

Then cover it WELL with polysporin ointment. YOu don't need to cover it. Also, it would be a great idea to bring the hen inside in a cage/box, etc. and keep her in while she heals. Give her some chopped up boiled egg, cooked oatmeal, yogurt, etc for some extra protein. It would hurt to add a couple drops of polyvisol without iron baby vitamins to her "treat" once a day.

Just because it smells doesn't mean that she is septic at this point. I agree with Miss Prissy that if she quits eating and drinking...she's probably in trouble. A couple of days of intense treatment may just turn her around.

 

[HenJo]

Great!
She is eating, drinking, and pooping.
Is polyspirin like neospirin?

 

[the1much]

Quote:
would you just cull it and bury,, or eat? ,,, with the infection this hen has?

 

[HenJo]

Quote:
would you just cull it and bury,, or eat? ,,, with the infection this hen has?

??

 

[HenJo]

Quote:
can i give her some vitamins, any kind?

 

[kinnip]

Poly-vi-sol is your best bet for vitamins, three drops twice a day (do not use the one with added iron). You'll want to go to the feed store and get some Penn-G and some 1" needles and syringes. You can administer it SQ (subcutaneous), but I find IM (intramuscular) is easier. I too have heard different things about dosage. I use 1/2 cc in the breast muscle once every other day for 7 days. The reason for skipping days is because of the possibility of toxic build up at the injection site. If you change sites each day, this likely won't be an issue. It's easiest to give if you have a second set of hands, but can be done solo. Find a good thick spot on the breast and push away the feathers. Stick the needle in fast and deep, then pull out the plunger. If you draw up blood, pull out the needle, expel the blood and start over. If you inject the penicillin into a vein, the bird will die almost immediately. Be aware that occasionally a bird will be allergic and anaphylaxis will occur. There is nothing you can do if this happens, but from the sound of things, you don't have much to lose by trying.