EMERGENCY! URGENT INJURED HEN

[farm2003]

I have a hen with a puncture wound on her back. Should I be giving her penicillin? How much do I give? The wound is open but I did put antibiotic cream on it. I do have a tube of vet RX but wasn't sure if I should close the wound up. She is in the house in a tub alone, she is not eating and drinking much.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have a picture of the wound? Puncture wounds should be cleaned out once with peroxide, betadine, or chlorhexidene, and the antibiotic ointment then should be reapplied twice a day. Puncture wounds should be left open to heal. How did it happen? Usually antibiotics are not required for most wounds, but watch it for signs of infection, such as a bad odor, pus, and redness with swelling.

 

[farm2003]

It is a puncture wound from a dog. I can only find one wound.

 

[Eggcessive]

It doesn't look too serious. With fang bites, I like to clean them out with peroxide and a QTip only once or twice, and apply the ointment. The fizzing action of the peroxide usually clean it out well. The ointment help to heal and prevent infection. I have treated many animal bites with that method. Even if an abscess appears when a bite has gone unnoticed, I have rarely used an antibiotic, since once it is opened the infection comes out. Offer her some chopped egg, tuna, or wet feed to get her to start eating and drinking normally. Fluids are more important at first. Let us know how it goes.

 

[farm2003]

I her in the house right now in a tub, she doesn't have much room to move around, when should I let her go back out to the barn?
I re-cleaned the wound how you said and it looks ok so far. She is drinking, I did give her electrolyte water. she has eaten a little of her layer feed but will try the tuna. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

 

[Eggcessive]

She could go back out now as long as the others don't start pecking the wound. Many use BluKote to disguise wounds, and iodine works too.

 

[zookeepersgirl]

The wound on her is very small. I have a injured chicken in my garage from a dog attack. Mine is getting much better, I separated her and gave her wet laying pellets, and water as a treat I gave her dried mealworms. I cleaned out her wounds with peroxide.