All, I thought I would update you on my hen and procedure. My vet friend was able to help me, and in agreement with my British vet connection, thought Amoxclav (UK version) /Clavamox (US version) antibiotics should be administered for ten days, as well at Metacam, an NSAIDs that helps with pain and swelling. We gave her Metacam 30 mins before the procedure. My vet pal was also shocked that the foot procedures are often done at home without serious pain meds, and she injected her with some pretty strong stuff (I think an opiate, but can confirm if anyone's interested). This left my hen nicely stoned for the procedure, and while not loving her foot getting sliced into, she was probably a good bit more comfortable. We didn't remove a kernel, as things looked clean and healthy once we cut the scab off. We then used multiple layers of moleskin to cut a small donut-shaped bandage to place around the wound. This would ensure less pressure was on it while it healed, and could stay on through multiple gauze and vetwrap changes over the days ahead. We put ointment on the wound, some gauze, and as minimal vetwrap as possible, loosely wrapped, to keep it comfortable. The limp immediately went away and so far, a couple weeks later, hasn't returned. I've stopped the vetwrap now, and there's still a scab, but she's walking normally. I'll keep an eye on the scab, which might be more from the procedure at the point.
