Help Treating Infected(?) Wound - WARNING GRAPHIC

[Bellamore22]

I believe my hen was bitten by a dog or cat on her neck yesterday, and I am not sure how to go about treating the wound. I tried flushing with peroxide and applying neosporin (without painkillers) all over the area, there is no more bleeding, and some has started to scab over already. From the cut to about 3 inches down the side of her neck is just bald, no blood, or even feather stubs. What I am most concerned about are the weird white lumps by the wound site. They feel like skin, but kinda crusty underneath. Also above them, the skin is kinda gray/purpleish. I checked her everywhere for mites/bugs ect. and I can't see anything, vent looks fine, no bumblefoot either.

I am thinking there are other issues besides the bite wound, since she is very lethargic, and when I took her back outside to get a better look at her, she made a big nasty lime green poop. I checked her weight and she is quite skinny, so maybe the green poo is just from a lack of eating...maybe after the shock of getting attacked?

Right now she is eating about a spoonful an hour from my hand of mashed crumbles, but isn't drinking very much. She is resting in a crate next to me, and alternates between sleeping, panting for a few seconds, and then just blinking at me while being very quiet but somewhat alert. Not sure what else to do though. She is a very sweet little girl, so any help would be appreciated.


I included pictures to give you a better idea of the damage:


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[MrsBrooke]

If that white stuff feels like hard cheese, that is chicken puss. Rinse everything with warm saline and do your best to get that out of there. Use tweezers, q-tips, whatever you have to.

Wrap her in a towel and cover her head. That will help with any struggling.

When you're at Walgreens or CVS next (tonight), pick up some chlorhexidine... right by the hydro perox.

I would caution against using hydro perox on chickens. It's unkind to their tissue.

Poor the chlorhexidine liberally in the wound. It may sting, so hold her tight. No antibiotics ointment needed.

Twice a day until it starts to close up.

It does sound like she's in shock. Offer her some boiled eggs and meal worms along side her regular food and water.

If she goes off her food and water completely, let us know.

But get the puss out asap!

MrsB

 

[Bellamore22]

Thank you MrsBrooke! I will pop by CVS and see how it goes. She seemed to perk up a little before bedtime, so

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I will post any updates.

 

[Bellamore22]

Well I tried cleaning up the wound and now she is too stressed out to eat, I waited a while and she just pecks a little at it. Trying to find a catheter to tube feed her but I can't find a store that carries one around Utah County for the life of me.

 

[MrsBrooke]

As long as she's drinking.

It's more important that she remain hydrated. No need to worry about tube feeding yet.

Does the wound have an odor?

MrsB

 

[Bellamore22]

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[Bellamore22]

Does the wound have an odor?

MrsB

Yes it does, but I can't tell if that's a combination of the antiseptic and the food that missed her mouth etc., or actual rot. As I was treating the infection, I just seems to be worse and worse the more I look, and I don't even know what I am looking at anymore. Water is most important, but she is just skin and bones. Really wish I could get the tools to feed her. Thanks for the help so far though. She doesn't seem to have gotten worse at any rate.

 

[Toddrick]

You can just use a fish tank air hose as a catheter. Melt the tip to round it off. It will fit right over a standard syringe. I would add some antibiotics too.

 

[Bellamore22]

That just might work, good idea. Do you know what diameter to use?

 

[Toddrick]

I think all the small aquarium air tubes are the same size. Search this site for Kathy's "go team tube feeding" thread for more info.