Emu had nail in foot- now it is infected

[saltoftheearth]

My female Emu stepped on a nail. I have managed to get the nail out, but the foot is infected. I would like to lance the wound, but those feet...I can just see that having bad results. Does anyone know anything about antibiotics for Emus or how to sedate them?

Thanks!

 

[Tala]

I assume birds get tetanus like everyone else.....I think if you have a serious infection in a puncture type wound, not good.
If you are considering lancing the wound, I'm going to assume that it is way past "keep it clean with peroxide" stage and you are probably gonna be looking at a blood infection going septic, if you don't get the right antibiotic FAST.
Hope someone knows about emus!!!!

 

[chickenzoo]

i don't know how to sedate an emu, but I know you can lead them into a stall,horse trailer etc... put a dark sock over their head to calm them and make them lay down. Might have to ziptie those legs together. If your emu is tame enough I'd put down a tarp, kiddie pool etc.. in a small enclosed area, fill it up with as much warm water as you can and add epsom salts. Have the emu stand in their and that way it will be soaking it's foot while standing or if they are like mine they will lay down. I'm not sure what antibiotics are safe for them.....epsom salts work good for a lot of things. You can also take some corral panels and make a squeeze shoot to hold them in one spot, but the calmer they are the better for you. I would talk to a local vet about the antibiotics but I know I give my emu horse EE & WEE plus tetanus shots as well as West Nile, so that might be helpful to give a tetanus shot. If you can get it to lay down, then take a large syringe full of epsom salt and flush the wound, then some iodine and vet wrap. Be careful........ I clip mines nails some before I handle them, just encase.....

 

[chickenzoo]

Any news?

 

[saltoftheearth]

Hey...update

She is doing fine. Luckily we have a nurse at this farm . She has been getting daily doses of amoxicillan (sp?) and bacitracin (sp?) and the swelling has gone down. She is still favoring the other foot, but we are definitely on the upward slope now. Thanks for you guys time!