Lizzy I hope that works for you. I would have opened the wound. Not sure if I would have picked the scab, but you do need it open to heal.
That reminds me I found a cochin pullet with a huge (what I thought was an abscess all across her front and down to her wing.) I gave her a shot of baytril and punctured the abscess and only air came out. She started wheezing but she wasn't feeling good at all so I attributed it to that. Then yesterday I noticed she was every bit as swollen again so I gave her another shot and this time I made an incision in the big "abscess" and tried pressuring out the air. This time I could see she was in real distress. When I let the air fill back up she was fine. Apparently she has an open air pipe or open lung and all that air is what she is breathing. I put some antibiotic and some more alcohol on the incision hoping I didn't prevent her from breathing. I checked later and she was running around feeling great. At least the medicine is helping her feel better. I doubt she will live very long because there is no way to protect her from being punctured with something. Of course it had to be a pullet. I will have to do an exploratory home necropsy when she dies to see what is actually going on. I would be thrilled if she lived and thrived though. She is a very sweet little girl and is getting used to being handled.
I was out working but can't see for the sweat running in my eyes. It's miserable hot and humid out there. The ice melted in my water jug so it was a good time to come in and check in on you guys.
Guess I'd better get back out and see what damage I can do.
I'm sorry to hear about your pullet. I hope she survives and thrives!
For my duck, how would you have opened the wound without picking the scab? Would you have made a new incision instead?
