Hen Pecked Rooster - hole in side, surrounding skin black

[emys]

OK - I think that will help. I'm still checking in once in awhile to look for updates from you. At least until we can get some other opinions.

 

[emys]

While we are hoping for pictures does anyone else want to weigh in on what the best treatment of an older (not fresh) wound of larger size should be.

I feel a bit like someone that has stopped at a car accident to offer aid and can't get another car flagged down to help, even though there is plenty of traffic going by...and I don't have a cell phone...get my point?

 

[Orphy]

One of my hens were attacked by a dog, had some pretty nasty puncture wounds on her back. I kept her isolated, gave her baby vitamins (polyvisol without iron) just put a drop on the beak and let it roll off for it to drink. keep him warm and pack it with some sort of antibiotic cream. if it has been a while since treatment I wouldn't stitch it for risk of closing infection inside. I just packed my hens wounds with a cream I bought from the feed store and let it close up on its own. It might take a while if it is big/deep. Is it in an area that he will peck at it?

 

[Opa]

Due to the age of the wound and the condition of the surrounding tissue I think you best bet would be to isolate him in a warm place. Cover the would with a thick coat of antibiotic ointment. Give him a round of penicillin G injections, and add electrolytes to his water. As long as he continues to eat and drink I wouldn't worry too much as you are doing all you can do.

 

[3goodeggs]

I only had fresh wounds to work on. Everything was clean and smelled fine. It was a huge hole though. We got some 'wonder dust' that dried it out and drew the skin and flesh together. The hen's tail is is always going to point to the left, but she's easy to identify. The ingredients to the wonder dust are mainly cauterizing agents, tannin, lime ect. it has sulfur and a few other antibiotic elements in it. I have used it on two hens now that we were ready to euthanize and they have returned to the flock with out difficulty.
My husband picked it up at tractor supply. I do not know how it works for older wounds. I wish you well with your rooster. At least you don't have to darken him to turn off the egg laying machine.

 

[emys]

Thanks guys! Couldn't take the pressure of being the only one to answer in this thread any longer. I was thinking stitch because he mentions intestines exposed, but if you've had wounds that large that could heal on their own then maybe he'll be alright?

I would worry about drying of wonder dust anywhere near the intestines - don't think you want that. But, I have also seen that work well on large wounds in general. To bandage or not to bandage is also still in question.

 

[NC_Chick0403]

Happy to report the wound is healing nicely and rooster has even started crowing....although tonight after giving the shot of penicillian he started clucking oddly and then seems to have lost feeling in his feet and legs...I think I missed the muscle, but he still happily ate his cheese (a treat we have been giving him cause he loves it).

Did I permanently paralyze him?

Thanks folks.

 

[emys]

How is he now? Maybe an allergic reaction to the shot????

(sorry have been out of town - didn't see your post until today - but - have no experience with this one anyway.)

 

[NC_Chick0403]

He is doing much better, thanks.

It was nice this weekend so we had him out of his "infirmary tub" walking around the yard to strengthen his legs. His hole is even healing really well.

I'm amazed by how resilient chickens are.

 

[3goodeggs]

Thanks for the update.
I hope the set back is nothing serious. (I used to faint at shots myself)