Fly Strike

[PrincessTrudeia]

My poor pet hen has been going through so much lately. She had coccidiosis and was treated them she was attacked by a raccoon, both over a month ago and now I believe she has fly strike. The poor thing was nearly on death's doorstep 2 days ago. I thought it was coccidiosis again and was treating again. That's when I noticed all the worms all over her (maggots, I assume). Lots of Googling told me it was likely fly strike. So into the bath she went. She spent a good hour or so in there. She had a pocket of maggots under her skin, but we poured water on her and agitated the bath and got rid of them (likely not totally). This was two days ago. She's SO much better now, eating and drinking and dust bathing herself. We've been giving her electrolytes and piperazine dihydrochloride because we thought worms at first (as suggested by the farm supply because the vet is away and there's no other vet on the island for poultry).

Is piperazine dihydrochloride even helping? What's the best way to help her? I've read daily baths, but I don't know for how long. We were about to leave on holidays too, but I don't want her degrading while we are gone

 

[SmiYa0126]

Bath for 30 minute increments and then check for any leftover maggots. You'll need to bathe every day until all the eggs hatch . How's the wound looking?

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

Bath for 30 minute increments and then check for any leftover maggots. You'll need to bathe every day until all the eggs hatch . How's the wound looking?

For how many days? Until I don't see any maggots? I would assume weeks though?

 

[Eggcessive]

Maggots will continue to hatch for a day or so, so it is good to repeat the soaks for a couple of days until you see none. Betadine or chlorhexidene can be added to the water for soaks. Remove any remaining maggots with tweezers using a magnifyer. Make sure that she is eating and drinking. Keep her away from flies and separated from other chickens. Here is a good article to read about flystrike:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

Maggots will continue to hatch for a day or so, so it is good to repeat the soaks for a couple of days until you see none. Betadine or chlorhexidene can be added to the water for soaks. Remove any remaining maggots with tweezers using a magnifyer. Make sure that she is eating and drinking. Keep her away from flies and separated from other chickens. Here is a good article to read about flystrike:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

Ok that's to know. Thank you.

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

Bath for 30 minute increments and then check for any leftover maggots. You'll need to bathe every day until all the eggs hatch . How's the wound looking?

I actually didn't think there was any open wound. Her vent area is really dark almost black, but the skin looks dry...

 

[SmiYa0126]

Ok, that's good! No oozing?

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

Ok, that's good! No oozing?

No nothing. Just finished her bath and blow dry. The wound was actually above her vent. It's black but no oozing anywhere. It looks fairly healed. Make it was just a pocket of maggots under the healthy skin?

 

[SmiYa0126]

Maybe! Did you see anymore maggots after the bath?

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

Maybe! Did you see anymore maggots after the bath?

2 How long do the eggs take to hatch I wonder. I'm hoping she is on the mend...