Fly strike…again :(

[hwrights04]

My 8.5 year old RIR has fly strike below her vent. This is the second time this year. The first time she healed pretty quickly and was able to go back to the coop with her sisters once her wound was all healed up.
This time we had to bathe her and clean her up 3 times within two days. The wound is looking better (treating daily w/ Vetericyn spray, but she refuses to eat or drink. She is inside in a crate with access to food and water at all times. I’ve even cooked her favorite foods (scrambled eggs, plain oatmeal) and offered her favorite treats (strawberries, meal worms, grapes)…she will take like one bite and then refuse to eat more. I’ve been giving her water and electrolytes + probiotics by syringe and she still makes a fuss about taking that! She doesn’t seem weak or lethargic, but it’s like she’s pissed off that we bathed her several times and put her in the pin inside. She’s been inside for several days! Could this just be stress??? Should I try giving her a dewormer- I have liquid safeguard for goats on hand?? Or would this stress her system more? Any advice appreciated.

 

[hwrights04]

Forgot to add:
Last time I gave her antibiotics that I would mix in her food. I planned on doing that this time too, but the no eating
I also gave her a dose of Miconidazole incase she has vent gleet thats causing this reoccurrence. Maybe I should keep giving her that several more days?

 

[hwrights04]

…

 

[Jener8or]

If the flystrike is being caused by vent gleet, I probably wouldn't give her antibiotics, unless you are thinking the flystrike is so severe to cause an infection (since the antibiotics will be killing off beneficial bacteria as well).

Hopefully the flystrike is all treated (no more maggots?) I would dip mine in a pyrethrin dip or use Catron IV spray on them until it was controlled.

I would focus on getting her healthy gut bacteria built up--mix molasses and apple cider vinegar in her water and give her some plain yogurt.

Do you think you have a crate or space big enough to bring in a friend for her? Maybe that will help to perk her up. Best wishes to you and your chicken!

 

[hwrights04]

If the flystrike is being caused by vent gleet, I probably wouldn't give her antibiotics, unless you are thinking the flystrike is so severe to cause an infection (since the antibiotics will be killing off beneficial bacteria as well).

Hopefully the flystrike is all treated (no more maggots?) I would dip mine in a pyrethrin dip or use Catron IV spray on them until it was controlled.

I would focus on getting her healthy gut bacteria built up--mix molasses and apple cider vinegar in her water and give her some plain yogurt.

Do you think you have a crate or space big enough to bring in a friend for her? Maybe that will help to perk her up. Best wishes to you and your chicken!

That may help trying to bring in her sister. I’ve not even witnessed her drink any water by herself I have been giving her the electrolytes and probiotics in a syringe by mouth.

 

[Jener8or]

Yes, sorry you did say that you were. I didn't clarify in my post to give both fresh water and acv/molasses water separate or switch them out after a few hours or so. Other than that, to my knowledge you are doing the very best you can for her!

 

[hwrights04]

Yes, sorry you did say that you were. I didn't clarify in my post to give both fresh water and acv/molasses water separate or switch them out after a few hours or so. Other than that, to my knowledge you are doing the very best you can for her!

Thank you so much! I will try that!

 

[hwrights04]

If the flystrike is being caused by vent gleet, I probably wouldn't give her antibiotics, unless you are thinking the flystrike is so severe to cause an infection (since the antibiotics will be killing off beneficial bacteria as well).

Hopefully the flystrike is all treated (no more maggots?) I would dip mine in a pyrethrin dip or use Catron IV spray on them until it was controlled.

I would focus on getting her healthy gut bacteria built up--mix molasses and apple cider vinegar in her water and give her some plain yogurt.

Do you think you have a crate or space big enough to bring in a friend for her? Maybe that will help to perk her up. Best wishes to you and your chicken!

Here is the crate I have her in. Do you think this is big enough for two full size hens?

 

[Jener8or]

Hmm, it'd probably be a little tight. You wouldn't happen to have 2 of those kennels? You could maybe take the front off and put them together? It'd be kind of a hassle working around that, but might give them twice the room. Is there still a chance of flies getting to her? If she's all healed, maybe she's ready to find a spot outside, where she could see her friends?

 

[hwrights04]

Hmm, it'd probably be a little tight. You wouldn't happen to have 2 of those kennels? You could maybe take the front off and put them together? It'd be kind of a hassle working around that, but might give them twice the room. Is there still a chance of flies getting to her? If she's all healed, maybe she's ready to find a spot outside, where she could see her friends?

This is the only crate we have unfortunately:/ She’s inside in our laundry room so no flies are getting to her, but her would is not scabbed over. It’s about the size of a quarter