HELP - I don’t want her to lose her leg!

[Sally PB]

I can't remember all of it, but in the Matilda thread, I think what happened is that the chicken's body basically "sealed" off the dead tissue with scar tissue. The dead tissue eventually fell off, leaving stumps.

I know Matilda's person did some wound care, but can't recall what. That's why I suggested OP read that thread.

 

[Eggcessive]

It can be hard when they loose part of the leg and lose just part of the foot on the other leg, since the stumps will be of different heights. But that looks like what will happen. Anything black is going to come off. Once that happens, you will be able to judge more about how she will be able to get around. It can take 6-8 weeks for limbs to come off as far as I know from reading a lot of threads here.

 

[korpse]

I’ve decided to document my girls progress for future users!
I’m Kyra, and my hens name is Trash (and she’s named that with all the love in my heart, I swear )
Trash is a polish hen, hatched April 27th, 2021, so not quite a year old. She’s small (I think?) at 2.2lbs, but the vet wants her to gain some weight.
We aren’t sure exactly how this frostbite happened since no one else in the flock is experiencing this (except on combs).
The flock is actually my sisters and it resides at her home, and although Trash has always been part of the flock, she’s always been mine. The coop my sister built is really cool and ergonomic, but is NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST meant for our Wisconsin winters. Hopefully Trash’s frostbite adventure will convince her to build a winter coop.

February 10th is when my sister texted me that Trash was limping. I rushed over and looked, but I chalked it up to a possibly broken nail. Looking back now, that was an obvious first sign of frostbite. A few days later, she messaged me that Trash couldn’t walk and that they took her inside. I assumed it was frostbite, but unfortunately we didn’t have the foresight to actually research what to DO about it until later.
I left on the 16th and left Trash in my sisters care until I returned on the 22nd. It was then that I realized Trash NEEDED a vet. There was what I called “blistering” (which the vet informed me was actually bumblefoot). The vet was wonderful and wanted us to come in right when they opened in the morning so she could get a look at Trash before her surgery clients came in. That was February 24th.
The vet prescribed enrofloxacin to be injected daily in her breast muscle, some antibiotics for her water, told me to soak her legs and feet in warm epsom salt water daily for 30 mins, then wrap the wounds/infections in cotton gauze to seal out bacteria. I’ve also been spraying some chicken wound care spray that I got at Tractor supply on her wounds.
I’ve been diligent doing all this, I’m desperate to save my sweet girl

The good news: She can walk and hold her weight! Should she though? I have no idea. Perhaps since she can walk on her leg, maybe there’s a chance she won’t lose the whole thing?

 

[korpse]

It can be hard when they loose part of the leg and lose just part of the foot on the other leg, since the stumps will be of different heights. But that looks like what will happen. Anything black is going to come off. Once that happens, you will be able to judge more about how she will be able to get around. It can take 6-8 weeks for limbs to come off as far as I know from reading a lot of threads here.

Thank you! Technically, the foot is black, but the leg is just….. darker than normal.
I know, I’m digging. But the vet seems to think there was still some circulation to that leg, so I’m praying that she’ll keep atleast a little bit below the lesion.

 

[korpse]

My beautiful Trashbird this last fall. I feel terrible that she’ll lose parts of her beautiful blue legs/feet

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Hi @korpse . I read your thread and am sorry your little hen has experienced this.
If your vet thinks Trash (hee!) possibly still has circulation in her leg, ask about treating her with Pentoxifilline. It is an Rx used to minimize tissue damage and increase vascular flow. I came across the med while researching frostbite, but maybe it will also work to help heal the infected leg.

 

[korpse]

Hi @korpse . I read your thread and am sorry your little hen has experienced this.
If your vet thinks Trash (hee!) possibly still has circulation in her leg, ask about treating her with Pentoxifilline. It is an Rx used to minimize tissue damage and increase vascular flow. I came across the med while researching frostbite, but maybe it will also work to help heal the infected leg.

Oh my goodness!! I didn’t realize there was a drug like that!! It makes sense, I guess that just never crossed my mind! Thank you so much, I’m going to look into this immediately!

 

[korpse]

@Allsfairinloveandbugs also, thank you so much for responding! I finished reading your whole thread, and I read the part about you having to drive into town to be able to respond on these threads! It means a lot!

 

[Chickens are awsome]

I have a silkie that is facing the same issue with her feet (hoping not the legs) I have been soaking her feet daily and petroleum on her feet/legs as well. hopefully, Trash doesn't lose her whole leg but if she does there are some prosthetic options for a reasonable price I have found (I can link if you'd like).

Good luck to both you and your beautiful girl.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

@Allsfairinloveandbugs also, thank you so much for responding! I finished reading your whole thread, and I read the part about you having to drive into town to be able to respond on these threads! It means a lot!

You are very welcome. Please let us know if your vet prescribes her pentoxifilline. The med won't help after tissue has died/become necrotic, & often people with frostbitten birds don't realize the damage until it's too late. Really hoping it will save Trash's leg If the leg still has vascular flow.

I have a silkie that is facing the same issue with her feet (hoping not the legs) I have been soaking her feet daily and petroleum on her feet/legs as well.

Im sorry about your Silkie too. I haven't seen any recommendations that advise coating frostbitten damaged tissue in vaseline/petroleum gel, but maybe i missed something. Some recommend coating combs with petroleum to help Prevent frostbite, while others say it doesn't prevent frostbite, and even worse petroleum can freeze and cause frostbite to be more severe.