Hen has some kind of maggots, need advice quick

[Nif]

Here's a different shot and her vent is just in view at the top of the photo. There's this wound under her vent, and then a few inches down her belly is another...more of a puncture and that is the one I had a hard time getting the maggots out of. Now that it is dried up and they are gone, it is looking a lot better. I did what you said and left it dry today, the neosporin did great, and Hazel is cruising around with her girls...no one picking on her. For an old hen she is quite resilient.
I think she may have even laid an egg yesterday...it really looked like a Hazel egg. (but I'm not positive on that)
My next photo will be of her all healed up, I promise!

 

[threehorses]

I wouldn't be surprised if she laid an egg. Her vent is dilated and relaxed, perfect for laying an egg.

That's good news!

Yeah, the drying up - funny isn't it? I used to worry over wounds. Then I learned once that cleaning the ever loving heck out of it the first time, dressing it, and then leaving it alone (aka doing nothing) tends to work better. Go figure!

There's an old addage that applies more often than not: "Dry wound, wet dressing. Wet wound, dry dressing." This is a bit of a wet wound - and letting it dry up (after getting the infection and maggots in control of course) apparently worked.

 

[Nif]

I agree that cleaning it really well the first time is important. I did that with my Cochin girl that got slammed by the hawk, the one I was able to catch in the act...I put a saline/silver solution on a little hole on her wing and I swear within a week her feathers were already growing in. I didn't even put any ointment on it...just cleaned it really well a few times...and as soon as it happened. There's a reason why birds have been around for as long as they have! They are tough little buggers.

 

[Nif]

Cleaning it once well, putting antibiotic ointment on for a few days, and then just letting it be...letting it dry out, was a successful path to take with Hazel. She's completely recovered and her giant scab is half way peeled off. Her skin looks like nothing happened under the area where the scab is already peeled away.
I will post recovery photos later this week when the scab is gone.
Threehorses was my savior!

 

[threehorses]

SUch wonderful news! Yes, my saying is "clean it like you mean it". I really believe in cleaning it thoroughly the first time (including a last cleaning with thinned iodine which continues to kill bacteria) as that's the way I was taught by vets. It works. It also saves a lot of recleaning.

(I'm lazy - hey what can I say?)

Then letting it rest. And turn leathery. And heal. The body is remarkably equipped to protect its own wounds.

I'm so glad to hear that your girl is doing so well. YAY! Thank you for the update (and your remarkably kind words); you've made my day.

 

[Nif]

Here's a photo of Hazel's wound mostly healed now. This was taken last Friday, and when I looked at it last night it was looking even better. Just to the right of the really pink skin is where the bigger wound was from the first photo, and then down below that is the scab that is peeling off...it's kinda stuck in those feathers that are still hanging on. There's absolutely no scar and last night there were tons of new 3 inch long feathers all along her belly. She's doing great, and I really couldn't have done it without all of your input!
I'm glad I could save her, she's one of my original hens, she's pushing 6 and still lays awesome eggs! She's also very sweet.

 

[threehorses]

Six years - what a wonderful age! I'm so glad to see your chicken's tush! LOL seriously, I am!

She looks really nice, and what a good thing those new incoming feathers will be to her.

Good job on doctoring her up!

 

[Nif]

Thanks for your help, I couldn't have gotten through that without your advice and encouragement!

 

[threehorses]

Oh it's always my pleasure to try and be of help.

That's what chicken-buddies are for, yes?

 

[Nif]

Thanks!
Been using the BZ oil on Hazel...it was pretty awesome, hope you get your package soon!