Deep wound care: GRAPHIC IMAGES*

[Chickidychick777]

Hi BYC community,

**GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW**

A pullet of mine, affectionately named Glinda was attacked by a coyote on Saturday. She escaped his clutches but there is noticeable damage.

While she is alert and eating her shoulder has a chunk missing (muscle shows) . Her wing is bent from underneath and seems painful to lift. I am looking to address the wound first and foremost as I don't want infection to set in.

I've got her on tylan 200 at moment. Worried the green around her wound is becoming infected.

I have cleaned with vetrycine wound spray and wrapped with clean guaze and vet wrap daily to keep secure and prevent flystrike. Yesterday I gave her a mini wash with mild soap and then washed that away with the vetrycine spray. Been slabbing neosporin on too.

Note:
I have penicillin G on hand but am waiting to see if I need it...I'm at a loss what is readily available for gangrene in chickens (and don't know if that would even help?). Tetracycline (LA 200) would be my go to for this issue but it is only available by RX now!

Help!! Recommendations very welcome.

I will get better photos. These are from yesterday.

 

[casportpony]

Wow, great cleaning job!

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

It looks good. Lucky chicken. It would be nice if a vet could stitch it... that seems to be the right thing here, and a drainage tube in my humble estimation.

 

[Chickidychick777]

Here are photos taken from tdy. I've reached out to a farm vet for assistance. Wound is darkening and worrisome.

 

[Chickidychick777]

It looks good. Lucky chicken. It would be nice if a vet could stitch it... that seems to be the right thing here, and a drainage tube in my humble estimation.

Posted photos from today. Do you still think it looks normal/ good? Have yet to hear back from our vet. Fingers crossed she responds soon!

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Posted photos from today. Do you still think it looks normal/ good? Have yet to hear back from our vet. Fingers crossed she responds soon!

I am less educated on full thickness wounds that turn black. I dont think I am the best person to ask. Thinking out loud the wound seemed to show a full thickness depth that exposed muscle to air. Ideally the wound would have remained moist in some way, either with ointment or by covering it or by the aforementioned stitching.
In your newest picture the tissue appears dry and black. Which may indicate tissue death to some degree. Or just the effects of oxygen on hemoglobin(?) I am not seeing pus or additional redness around the wound which would indicate infection. But i am wondering what kind of interventions at this point would be recommended, if any.

 

[Chickidychick777]

I am less educated on full thickness wounds that turn black. I dont think I am the best person to ask. Thinking out loud the wound seemed to show a full thickness depth that exposed muscle to air. Ideally the wound would have remained moist in some way, either with ointment or by covering it or by the aforementioned stitching.
In your newest picture the tissue appears dry and black. Which may indicate tissue death to some degree. Or just the effects of oxygen on hemoglobin(?) I am not seeing pus or additional redness around the wound which would indicate infection. But i am wondering what kind of interventions at this point would be recommended, if any.

I really appreciate your input. I concur with most of what you mention. She is alert. I had her clutch mate in her recovery cage with her and she was fighting her for food this morning so I removed her of course. (The injured pullet remained banadaged at all times and her clutch mate is special needs so i knew she would not pose any harm to her). I consider that to be a good sign of health.

The wound this morning did look slightly deeper than before. I am hoping it's not result of necrotic tissue. I've kept it extremely clean and moist and covered to prevent flystrike. She has a one more day of antibiotics left...do you think I should do a few extra days or try something stronger? What would you recommend?

 

[CabritaChicks]

I am less educated on full thickness wounds that turn black. I dont think I am the best person to ask. Thinking out loud the wound seemed to show a full thickness depth that exposed muscle to air. Ideally the wound would have remained moist in some way, either with ointment or by covering it or by the aforementioned stitching.
In your newest picture the tissue appears dry and black. Which may indicate tissue death to some degree. Or just the effects of oxygen on hemoglobin(?) I am not seeing pus or additional redness around the wound which would indicate infection. But i am wondering what kind of interventions at this point would be recommended, if any.

You are quite right. The chicken was attacked by a coyotes and now has exposed muscle—did the vet prescribe any antibiotics? Why are they not answering? Coyotes have significant bacteria in their mouths.

I’m a bit confused as to why stitches weren’t used, since leaving the muscle exposed like that increases the risk of drying out, bacterial contamination, and possible tissue necrosis.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

I really appreciate your input. I concur with most of what you mention. She is alert. I had her clutch mate in her recovery cage with her and she was fighting her for food this morning so I removed her of course. (The injured pullet remained banadaged at all times and her clutch mate is special needs so i knew she would not pose any harm to her). I consider that to be a good sign of health.

The wound this morning did look slightly deeper than before. I am hoping it's not result of necrotic tissue. I've kept it extremely clean and moist and covered to prevent flystrike. She has a one more day of antibiotics left...do you think I should do a few extra days or try something stronger? What would you recommend?

I strongly suggest you get a veterinarian on the line to advise you further. This may be one of those wounds that can turn quickly and you really do need someone knowledgeable with woundcare and the type of antibiotic you are using to help guide you.

 

[Chickidychick777]

Thank you.Yes, We were able to find a second farm vet to assess over the phone. They should be in touch this afternoon ti decide what the best course of action is and if a house visit is necessary to close the wound.Or if stronger antibiotics are needed. We have not heard back from the initial vet that we reached out to yesterday... keep everyone posted.