Hen with leg problem

[janeken]

I have a hen with a swollen leg/foot that has two slices through it? It wasn't there yesterday. Can someone advise? It's not easy getting the best shot on a moving chicken especially in the early AM. Poor Mama girl

 

[CottonGinWaste]

I recommend isolating her in a confined, controlled (ie clean) space. Gently wash the leg. I got Chlorhexidine (sp?) from my vet last summer when I needed to treat some traumas, comes as soap and as rinse. Follow up with generous antibiotic ointment (Walmart has it cheap, I went thru a dozen tubes). Do morning and night. If wounds are not on weight bearing surfaces I don't recommend wrapping it. If wound stays clean and her appetite is good, maybe you can avoid antibiotics.

 

[janeken]

Thank you very much for your reply. Very strange, the cuts are pretty deep, but there is no bleeding at all? I washed it out and applied triple antibiotic ointment and will twice daily. She is eating and drinking fine. All three were out yesterday pretty deep into the woods and wonder if she got it hung up somewhere. I looked in their pen and don't see any blood anywhere??? I'll watch it and if it's any worse throughout the week I'll call the vet.
Thanks again!!!!

 

[CottonGinWaste]

I think a chicken's legs/feet are mainly tendinous fibers covered by leathery fascia; think of your own feet from the heel forward. Only the arteries and arterioles would continue to bleed after being cut, and they pretty much lie along the bone and are tiny that far from the heart. (I cut one at my own finger once, at the last joint - seeped blood for 3-4 days despite a light pressure bandage!)

 

[janeken]

I'm sure you're right, that makes sense. Unfortunately, I am allergic to all types of Chrlorhexidine. I will do a watch and see approach and hope for the best. Thanks

 

[CottonGinWaste]

I'd use a saline rinse and then coat with the abx ointment if Chlorhexidine isn't an option; sorry you're allergic, must have been unpleasant finding out . . .

 

[janeken]

Alright, I will....Yeah, from face to torso unpleasantry on top of surgery, still vivid in my memory...