Guinea Lost its Helmet!

[Jkbaca]

Hi. I'm pretty new to guineas. I have three that were raised by a hen. They act like chickens, roost with them, go to the coop at night.

One escaped the chicken area a couple of weeks ago. One of my turkeys cornered it and scalped it. I intervened as soon as I saw what was happening. I separated it (it's now in a cage in my bathtub). I've been cleaning the wound 2x a day and treating it with plain antibiotic ointment.

Well, I was cleaning it tonight, and the poor thing's helmet-thingy came off! Ack! Thankfully, the tissue underneath is healthy looking and not infected at all. The guinea is eating, drinking, and very energetic.

I'm wondering if anyone has had a guinea revolver from such a wound? I'm sure it hurts.

 

[R2elk]

Hi. I'm pretty new to guineas. I have three that were raised by a hen. They act like chickens, roost with them, go to the coop at night.

One escaped the chicken area a couple of weeks ago. One of my turkeys cornered it and scalped it. I intervened as soon as I saw what was happening. I separated it (it's now in a cage in my bathtub). I've been cleaning the wound 2x a day and treating it with plain antibiotic ointment.

Well, I was cleaning it tonight, and the poor thing's helmet-thingy came off! Ack! Thankfully, the tissue underneath is healthy looking and not infected at all. The guinea is eating, drinking, and very energetic.

I'm wondering if anyone has had a guinea revolver from such a wound? I'm sure it hurts.

There is no reason it shouldn't be able to recover but it is highly unlikely that the casque will grow back. BTW it is fine to use antibiotics with pain relievers when being used as a topical ointment.

I do think you are overdoing it with the twice a day cleanings. I would have painted the area with Blu-Kote and left it alone.

 

[Jkbaca]

There is no reason it shouldn't be able to recover but it is highly unlikely that the casque will grow back. BTW it is fine to use antibiotics with pain relievers when being used as a topical ointment.

I do think you are overdoing it with the twice a day cleanings. I would have painted the area with Blu-Kote and left it alone.

Thanks! I was worried about the wound drying out. This guinea and I will gladly taper it to once a day. I don't care if it doesn't grow back. I was more worried about the hole left behind closing up successfully. I'll keep watching it closely. It's pretty horrific. I'd post pics, but there's no way to do that. It's understandable angry, and I couldn't hang onto it or make it still enough.

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

I’m sorry you have to deal with something like that!
Liquid Silver, liquid bandage, and Vetericyn+ are all very good options!
I hope she,(and you), recover quickly!

 

[R2elk]

Thanks! I was worried about the wound drying out. This guinea and I will gladly taper it to once a day. I don't care if it doesn't grow back. I was more worried about the hole left behind closing up successfully. I'll keep watching it closely. It's pretty horrific. I'd post pics, but there's no way to do that. It's understandable angry, and I couldn't hang onto it or make it still enough.

Wrap it loosely in a towel to help control it.

Another option is to paint the area with New Skin. It does burn at first on an open wound but forms a clear protective coating. It needs to be reapplied every couple of days but will not burn when being put over the initial application.