I need to lance/drain an absessed hock, any advice?

[purpletree23]

I didn't mean to be a 'hit and run'. If sunny side up has more questions or needs to be walked through the procedure she/he can PM me and I'll be happy to call them and see what I can offer.

Sunny side up did you read the post on bumblefoot. It's pretty much the same except on a different area of the body and no scab. I'd be more than happy to call you with instructions and encouragement.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Purpletree, I will PM you, thank you for your help! And could you please post the link here to the particular post on bumblefoot to which you were referring? I'm sure that will help me prepare for Skipper's next operation.

The interesting thing is that Skipper is walking better today! There still is a swelling and she still limps, but she is definitely putting more weight on that foot than she was before.

I can still see the marks where I jabbed & cut her yesterday, but there's no signs of infection from my work on her. I was doing more than just poking with the needle, I was also trying to use the sharp edge to make a slice through the skin. Maybe just opening the skin & applying the antiseptic ointment is helping.

Or maybe she spent the night in fervent prayer to God to please heal her leg so she wouldn't have to endure more ham-fisted treatment at the hands of her bumbling owner!

Is there anyone else close to us in Palm Beach County, FL who has some expertise in treating absesses in chicken legs? Skipper would like to meet you!

 

[ruth]

Here's the link to my Bumblefoot thread.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=236649

Make a small, deep incision where the vet showed you to cut (where the swelling was greatest). Then soak in very warm Epsom salt water while gently trying to dig out any abcessed matter. It will look and feel different than good flesh. Then keep soaking - pack with Neosporin before gently wrapping with Vetwrap. Don't wrap too tightly because you only want to cover the wound, not cut off circulation if it swells.

Good luck.

 

[Buugette]

Here's a good bumble foot thread.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=236649

 

[Sunny Side Up]

What concentration of Epsom salt to water do you use for soaking? How long do you let them soak? Do you think soaking before surgery will help bring the matter to a head?

 

[ruth]

Quote:
I don't measure but I use a lot of salt - even plain salt if that's all I have. I make it very salty and very warm. Yes, I would soak for several minutes before lancing and then soak for several more to get the warm salt water in the wound.

When I'm doing a bumble foot surgery I spend nearly an hour soaking, digging, squeezing etc. till I get it all out. The more the open wound soaks in the warm salt water, the more the "stuff" starts to break up and the easier it is to get out.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Quote:

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Thank you all for your support & advice. I operated again on Skipper's hock this afternoon. Right now she's in the hospital pen, thumbing through the Yellow Pages looking for a good malpractice attorney to hire on her behalf.

I first set her in a bucket with about 6" of Epsom salt solution. She spent about 10 minutes standing in that bucket, in the bathtub with the lights off & the curtain closed so she wouldn't try to hop out. Then I laid her on the operating table & began the procedure.

One weird thing is that the skin on her hock was bluish-green in places. ???

??? I'm sorry I don't have photos to post. It didn't look infected or gangrenous, just a few pretty patches of blue-green on her pink leg. I wonder if it was from a reaction with the antibiotic ointment & the epsom salts. Or maybe it was bruising from all the previous treatment.

I used a utility knife blade this time, tried to make a good deep -- but not too deep -- cut into the swollen part of the hock. Again, there was just blood oozing out. I had a plastic pan of epsom salt solution on the table & held her cut leg in it, trying to wash out the infected matter. I did feel some squashy matter in there, but it was difficult to remove. I tried to pick it out with the hypodermic needle, tried to cut it out with the blade, tried to pinch it out with my fingers. I had very little success removing anything of substance.

I worked for about 15-20 minutes, poor Skipper was awfully patient. She barely squawked or fussed. I did have her wrapped up in a soft T-shirt and talked soothingly to her the whole time. It seems I may have helped to reduce the swelling but I really didn't think I got much out of her joint. I squeezed a huge glob of antibiotic ointment in the wound, and wrapped it with self-stick gauze.

She was able to stand on both feet afterwards. Probably trying to figure out which foot to use to kick my butt. Right now she's sitting down on the perch in the hospital pen. I plan to cook a special breakfast for her tomorrow morning, scrambled egg with spinach & corn.

Please keep Skipper in your prayers for a miraculous healing!

She doesn't want to have to endure any more of my amatuer surgical procedures!

 

[4kidZ]

Quote:
Ugh...I just cringe at all your detail, knowing the you BOTH have to go through all that! I don't think I could do what you did. You are a brave soul!!

I have a question...is it possible that it is inflamed from a bite of some sort? Snake, spider, scorpion? I'm wondering if maybe it actually isn't infected since nothing came out? Or possible a muscle swell? If it was that inflamed, I just would have thought all KINDS of junk would have come out of that sucker.

Positive energy for Skipper AND you (and your little helper, too)

~4kidZ (Fluffy Butts Farm)

 

[Freebie]

I will keep Skipper in my thoughts. And have her give me a call. I know a lawyer...lol