HELP- i think my chicken's back was ripped off

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

would fish antibiotics work on my goose? She has an eye infection. Just happened today and I put over the counter eye meds from Tractor Supply in it and finally found my human strength triple antibiotic eye ointment and sacrificed it to be "goose eye goop" now. If that does not do the trick, the bird doc is not open until Wens. I do have some fish Amoxicillin but I would have to check the date...

 

[azygous]

Fish antibiotics are the exact same thing as the human form. They just are called fish-mox or fish-cillin.

For an eye infection, any ophthalmic antibiotic ointment will work fine. You can usually find it in the meds section of feed stores. Your triple antibiotic ointment will do just fine, too.

Fish antibiotics can be bought without a prescription in the US where current laws have limited where we can get antibiotics.

Antibiotics are formulated the same, whether for fish, people, chickens, or horses, or cats.

 

[Eggcessive]

You have been given some great advice, and I believe that your chickens can survive the wounds as long as she doesn’t have any internal damage. When one can walk, eat, and drink, they are more likely to survive.

BluKote, which is alcohol and gentian violet, both antiseptics and antifungals, is good, but only for topical use, never for large open wounds. I would only use saline, wesk betadine, vetericyn, and plain neosporin for wound care.

Plain saline is available at drug stores, but if using homemade, it is made by adding 1 tsp of table salt to a quart/liter of water, then simmering it for 15 minutes. Place in a sterilized canning jar.

Fish mix (amoxicillin) is a good one to use for wounds, but many hens do well without them at all. Dosage is 125 mg twice a day. A good way to keep dirt out of wounds is to use an old T shirt or baby shirt as a hen apron. Please keep us updated on her condition.

 

[LoveChooks9000]

i looked up wound care because it was christmas eve eve, and we have NO vets that treat chickens

All vets treat wounds on any animal, even though a lot of vets don't have much knowledge about birds of any sort. This bird needs to be seen by a vet. The vet can also give you something to give the bird for the pain, which she is undoubtedly suffering.

I know about everyone here on this forum is all about "saving" every animal, and I understand... it's hard to let them go.

Agreed, 100%. It's hard to let them go, but there are some cases where it is far kinder to do so. Knowing the difference is hugely important, and a lot of unnecessary suffering has been caused in this world by people playing amateur vet, and prolonging a life that should have been painlessly ended long before.
This may be one case in point. The bird may or may not survive, but it has already, and will continue to, suffer a lot, no matter what the result ends up being.
Growing up in the country, we had hundreds, probably thousands, of animals that we had to make choices about over the years....our own pets, plus sheep, cattle, horses and so on....and you need to make the right choice for the animal, not for yourself.
If you want to keep trying to treat her, she needs to be seen by a vet to get treatment for pain, and advice on whether or not she may be saveable.
Sorry if that sounds harsh, and I'm sorry that it happened at all, especially on Christmas, but I prefer to call things as I see them.
Best of luck, and I hope you and your family and hen have a merry Christmas.

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

I need to save this post somehow because I am sure this is stuff I will probably need to know one day... though I hope I don't, but birds being prey animals....

 

[Wyorp Rock]

i tried to find an oral antibiotic because i am NOT comfortable giving shots...oh, and i didn't find any oral antibiotics at TSC.

You won't find oral antibiotics at TSC or any feed store (only injectables). If you need oral then ordering fish mox like @azygous mentioned would be your best bet.

we do have a vet here who may be able to help me- he's semi-retired tho, but i've taken one of my chickens to him when a ladder fell on her and she broke her wing. he does do birds...so if she's still alive by tuesday, i'll get her in to him so he can help me with any antibiotics or deep wound care.

This is always a good idea. It never fails that an emergency like this falls on holidays

 

[Latestarter]

The EMT gel is placed directly on the wound BEFORE any other gels/ointments. It takes the place of the triple antibiotic/vaseline/etc. You would apply it after cleaning the wound and before covering with non stick gauze.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Following ... Praying for your girl (Consuela) recovery. You've gotten great advice, keep us updated. Merry Christmas

 

[PlymouthRockExpert]

wow

 

[PlymouthRockExpert]

I hope she gets better!!! merry Christmas. From Autto my most dear and faithful little bantam hen