Matilda Marans caught her spur on a metal dog cage during a recent prolonged severe freeze. When i let her flock out around 8am, the temperature was 3 degrees. I found her hanging upside down, suspended only by her right spur, around 1pm. By that time the temp was mid-20s. When i found her, Matilda's right toes were in contact with the metal cage. Her left foot had no contact. I assume she flew up on the cage to get off the snow, & when she hopped back down her spur got caught.
I brought her inside immediately after finding her. Her right foot was cold to my touch; her left foot had some warmth. Ive never dealt with frostbitten feet before. But her injuries have followed the progression ive researched, beginning with red blisters, severe swelling, waxy skin, & black skin. (
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Matilda has made little attempt to stand or walk since the mishap ocurred 3+ weeks ago. I wasn't concerned at first, because i thought it possible her leg was injured from bearing her entire weight. Treatment she has had so far includes epsom salt soaks, veterycin spray, & baby aspirin.
Her appetite was poor for the first week, & is still so-so. She immediately gobbles down live mealworms, but usually turns her beak up at moistened crumble and even scrambled eggs.
Matilda is 5 years old, with no previous health issues. She is very docile and easy to work with. She has shown no Obvious pain during her ordeal, although pain must be keeping her from standing/walking. I have been taking photos of her feet twice weekly since her accident. (My phone currently contains way too many pics of matilda's poor feet). The attached photos are from yesterday. I understand most of her of toes are likely lost, but what about her feet? Are the wide black skin "lines" where her feet at some point had contact with the metal? Is it the frostbite, leg injury, both, or something else keeping her from being able to stand/walk? Anything more i can do to help her recover? What is her prognosis?
Matilda has been very broody and an excellent mother her entire life. She hatched her first clutch when she was 7 months old, & her last clutch this past october. I would like to save her if i can. So far she has seemed very content to be housed inside. I think she'd be very happy if she can recover enough to raise more chicks.
I brought her inside immediately after finding her. Her right foot was cold to my touch; her left foot had some warmth. Ive never dealt with frostbitten feet before. But her injuries have followed the progression ive researched, beginning with red blisters, severe swelling, waxy skin, & black skin. (
) Matilda has made little attempt to stand or walk since the mishap ocurred 3+ weeks ago. I wasn't concerned at first, because i thought it possible her leg was injured from bearing her entire weight. Treatment she has had so far includes epsom salt soaks, veterycin spray, & baby aspirin.
Her appetite was poor for the first week, & is still so-so. She immediately gobbles down live mealworms, but usually turns her beak up at moistened crumble and even scrambled eggs.
Matilda is 5 years old, with no previous health issues. She is very docile and easy to work with. She has shown no Obvious pain during her ordeal, although pain must be keeping her from standing/walking. I have been taking photos of her feet twice weekly since her accident. (My phone currently contains way too many pics of matilda's poor feet). The attached photos are from yesterday. I understand most of her of toes are likely lost, but what about her feet? Are the wide black skin "lines" where her feet at some point had contact with the metal? Is it the frostbite, leg injury, both, or something else keeping her from being able to stand/walk? Anything more i can do to help her recover? What is her prognosis?
Matilda has been very broody and an excellent mother her entire life. She hatched her first clutch when she was 7 months old, & her last clutch this past october. I would like to save her if i can. So far she has seemed very content to be housed inside. I think she'd be very happy if she can recover enough to raise more chicks.
