Compound Leg Fracture -- Injured 5 days ago

[SCole07]

My 3-mo-old Princess Calico was attacked on Saturday (5/12) by (we think) a raccoon. I could tell right away that her leg was broken (near the joint), but didn't realize how badly until last night.

Initially, I cleaned with warm water and wrapped in clean gauze. She was alert, eating/drinking/pooping normally.

Yesterday, I unwrapped, cleaned again in warm water and reassessed the wound, and that's when I discovered the bone protruding through the skin.

At this point, it is not feasible to take her to a vet and have her treated. My first question is: Is there anything I can do on my own at home, or is "humane euthanasia" best at this point?

I am concerned about an infection, since the injury is now 5 days old. Antibiotic ointment is the only "treatment" I have available in that regard. Is there anything over-the-counter that would help?

As far as trying to set the break on my own, I am not opposed to it, but she seems to be experiencing pain/discomfort when I touch the wound directly. Any "home remedies" for anesthetizing a chicken??

She is currently isolated in a plastic tub lined with pine shavings, and still eating (grower feed)/drinking (water)/pooping (looks normal). The foot still has good color and warmth, so I don't think "limb death" is a present concern.

Any advice is appreciated!!!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Pics would be helpful!

 

[Al Capon]

Can you set the foot and wrap in a splint by yourself?

A bud of mine lost 23/26 chickens this Winter to a bobcat before we could catch it. One of the casualties was one of his 3 remaining Leghorn hens. She accidentally stepped in an MB-550(big, strong foothold trap) that was set for the bobcat. It broke the leg-bones clean but did not puncture the skin.

I felt bad, was thinking about if she should be put down. She huddled in different areas of the barn with the other farm animals and when standing stood on the one good leg. I threw her scratch and tried to provide some drinking water for her. She didn't do a whole lot of moving for about 2 weeks. Then one day when I was trying to get a look at her, she got up and hobbled away fast enough that I couldn't catch her without a struggle, I let her be. Over the next couple weeks, she improved drastically. She started roosting back in the rafters with the other two survivors, 16ft up in the barn.

Now, she walks on it fine with a bit of a limp. There's a big knot where the bones fused back together, but otherwise her foot works well enough for her to get around, eat, roost, do chicken things. I'm glad I didn't put her down.

Point being, chickens are pretty tough. If you can set that bone, wrap it up, keep infection at a minimum, give it food and water, it might surprise you.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use betadine to wash the open wound, and try to realign the bones. Pad and splint the leg, and keep her in a dog crate with food and water or in a chicken sling for several weeks. An oral antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Fish Mox available on line) or injectable procaine penicillin froma feed store, may be needed. Let her out of the sling for periods of rest and to sleep. Here are two good links about compound fracture treatment and splinting:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2014/02/BrokenLeg.html

 

[SCole07]

Pics would be helpful!

Sorry, not sure why there are multiples of the same pic... I'm new here, so I'm sure I just did something wrong.

(Picture taken on Saturday, protruding bone not clearly visible; shows that break is near the joint)

 

[SCole07]

I would use betadine to wash the open wound, and try to realign the bones. Pad and splint the leg, and keep her in a dog crate with food and water or in a chicken sling for several weeks. An oral antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Fish Mox available on line) or injectable procaine penicillin froma feed store, may be needed. Let her out of the sling for periods of rest and to sleep. Here are two good links about compound fracture treatment and splinting:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2014/02/BrokenLeg.html

My biggest concern is inflicting pain during setting/splinting. Any ideas for anesthesia??

 

[SCole07]

Update: We were able to consult with a vet last Thursday, and his recommendation was either amputation at the knee joint or euthanasia. As it was one of several chickens, and certainly not a prize/bread-winner, we opted for humane euthanasia. A sad but necessary choice.