Hen with poorly foot

[richardeblack]

Thank you.
The drawing salve just arrived so I have decided to start things in the morning.
I'm not 100% clear. Should I soak her for 20 mins then try and get the scab off or soak, dry and put the drawing salve on and dress and leave for a while to soften further then attempt scab removal later on, the afternoon for example?
As I say, I have the salve now and I've also been given some very old terramycin purple spray. Would you use that or just the salve till the triple antibiotic ointment comes?
Sorry to be so indecisive but am very nervous about doing it.
Thank you
Richard

 

[richardeblack]

I'm in yet more of a quandary. Unfortunately the triple antibiotic I have bought may contain pramoxine (the pain relief component in neosporin +pain relief) but I can't find out for certain. Should I not use this? Will I be better sticking with the chlorohexadine based ointment?
Very annoying as I can't find a full list of ingredients in the procure triple antibiotic ointment.
Thank you.
Richard

 

[MarlaMac]

I'm in yet more of a quandary. Unfortunately the triple antibiotic I have bought may contain pramoxine (the pain relief component in neosporin +pain relief) but I can't find out for certain. Should I not use this? Will I be better sticking with the chlorohexadine based ointment?
Very annoying as I can't find a full list of ingredients in the procure triple antibiotic ointment.
Thank you.
Richard

Hey Richard.

I would go ahead and give her a soak and afterwards see if the scab will come off. If the scab gives a little, I would squeeze just to see what happens. If there is not softening of the scab, you can use tweezers to pull at it a bit.

I am not sure what the terramycin blue spray is (perhaps something called blue kote?) But for now you don't have to worry about that. Just soak in epsom salt, dry and dress with the drawing salve.

When your ointment comes in, you can have a look and perhaps replace it if it does have the pain relief in it. There is not real conclusive evidence that that is bad for chickens, but there is not conclusive evidence that it isn't either so most people say don't take chances.

I think you will be using the prid for the next several days at least unless that infection is completely ready to come out!

 

[MarlaMac]

Also, I just looked up procure triple antibiotic and it doesn't seem to have the pain killer added to it, so you may be safe.

 

[MarlaMac]

Also, I just want to encourage you. When you squeeze the foot, you might feel like your hurting your girl, but rest assured that whatever pain might accompany the squeezing will be forgotten by the relief she will feel when the infection is gone not to mention her being able to use that foot again.

 

[richardeblack]

I can't thank you enough for taking so much time to help and reassure me. I will start it all off this morning and see how I get on. I will keep you posted about how it goes.
Thank you
Richard

 

[richardeblack]

Hello again
Thanks to all your advice, I have been soaking her foot in Epsom salts, spraying with chlorohexadine liberally, letting it dry then applying drawing salve liberally and dressing it. The scab is now protruding slightly but still hard and a bit inset.
I feel it needs more time with the drawing salve but unfortunately I have my own hospital appointments on Thursday and, as I'm going away on Sunday I don't want to remove the scab and infection just before I go away and leave them for a friend to deal with problems.
Would I be best carrying on the drawing salve till I go away and leave the 'surgery' until I return a week on on Friday or try and get it done tomorrow even if the scab isn't quite ready?
If I'm leaving surgery it til I return, would I be wise to dress with antibiotic cream while away. My friend says she is happy to change the dressing although I wouldn't want to make her change it more than once, say on the Tuesday.
What do you think.
The foot appears a little less swollen.
I have included some pictures.
Thank as ever for your patience.
Richard

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BD6qFddty3rAK9iB9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nLbyuV12A3WcaEKx7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9cFH8bAhc2MYsfkt6

 

[LaFleche]

Hi Richard,

the scab looks about ready to be taken off and sometimes a plug of pus will come out right with it, so I would go for it if only to release the pressure on her foot.
You can leave further surgical intervention for when you are back.

 

[richardeblack]

Thank you LaFleche
I guess I'll give it a go tomorrow.
Thank you
Richard