Deep wound care

[Chickidychick777]

Hello,

I've been caring for our pullet who was attacked by a coyote 2 weeks ago. I have been cleaning her shoulder that appears to have a pocket to it. I do belive it's become bit shallower over the course of two weeks but is still a major concern since it can harbor infection, bacteria and bugs. It does not smell...Again, I clean each day with betadine and follow with saline rinse, packing with silver sulphide cream (ssd), and vet rx gel spray...sometimes neosporin. She gets wrapped with gauze and is healing inside in a heated and sterile space.

She's currently on baytril for a few more days...

At this point, is it wise to close this with a butterfly closure bandage or will it increase risk of infection?

Will it granulate and debride itself with proper dressings?

Here's a few photos...

I have no experience with wound debridement... not sure what to look for or how to help her

 

[MarlaMac]

It looks like it is healing. After 2 weeks without infection you are probably on the safe side.

If it were my chick I would dispense with the daily washings and just keep applying triple antibiotic ointment 2x daily to keep it moist. Keeping it moist will promote healing.

We had a hen with a severe injury to her neck. It took a long time to heal, but after the initial flushing to disinfect, I stopped the daily washings and simply kept the wound moist until the scab fell off. Even now, I can tell which of my 14 black australorp hens is LC b/c she looks like a turkey with the chunk missing from her neck/shoulder area from the attack.

Here is a documented account of LC's story and all I learned in that time.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hen-attacked-by-what-i-dont-know.1559978/#post-26455825

Good luck, but it looks like the worst is over for you/your pullet.

 

[Chickidychick777]

It looks like it is healing. After 2 weeks without infection you are probably on the safe side.

If it were my chick I would dispense with the daily washings and just keep applying triple antibiotic ointment 2x daily to keep it moist. Keeping it moist will promote healing.

We had a hen with a severe injury to her neck. It took a long time to heal, but after the initial flushing to disinfect, I stopped the daily washings and simply kept the wound moist until the scab fell off. Even now, I can tell which of my 14 black australorp hens is LC b/c she looks like a turkey with the chunk missing from her neck/shoulder area from the attack.

Here is a documented account of LC's story and all I learned in that time.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hen-attacked-by-what-i-dont-know.1559978/#post-26455825

Good luck, but it looks like the worst is over for you/your pullet.

Thank you for linking your experience! The fish biotics is genius! Ive already hd her on tylan now baytril so im hesitatant to do anything else rn and let her system catch a break. First time dealing with a deep wound...and second wildlife attack within two week span. Gonna have to play defense with the run after chicken heals! Really appreciate your helpful suggestions

 

[MarlaMac]

Thank you for linking your experience! The fish biotics is genius! Ive already hd her on tylan now baytril so im hesitatant to do anything else rn and let her system catch a break. First time dealing with a deep wound...and second wildlife attack within two week span. Gonna have to play defense with the run after chicken heals! Really appreciate your helpful suggestions

You are welcome. The fish antibiotics are not longer available OTC.

However, if you want to have something on hand for later use Jedds has some for pigeons. You have to decipher the dosage yourself, but it is better than nothing. If you have a cooperative vet, he/she might give you a prescription for 100 250mg tablets to have on hand for your chickens.

Note, I never used any antibiotics on LC during her treatment as she never got infection in the wound.

If you have had 2 predators in the last 2 weeks, they definitely think of your coop/run as the local diner. If you post some pictures of your set up and ask for advice you will get plenty from people on this forum about how to secure it.

Good luck.