Is it possible to heal? pic*very graphic*

[MandyH]

Don't use anymore peroxide, it will damage the tissue. If you must clean it again, use a Iodine solution. Put her in a clean place by herself so she can heal. The area will scab over eventhough she has scraped the hide off. If you can get a can of Blu-Kote, spray the area REALLY good with that. Keep her space clean and dry and just leave her to heal. It shouldn't take more than 3-4 days for her to scab over and then she should be fine.

 

[muell112]

Quote:
I think hydrogen peroxide is usually to initially clean the wound. It bubbles and lifts out dirt particles. Even if you have a small animal clinic in your area, they might be able to give some advice about what to do with a large area like that missing - I would think certain problems/treatments would be similar (e.g. wounds) regardless of species/breed. Anyways, might not hurt to call the dog/cat/sm.animal clinic and ask...or if you're near a college maybe they have a vet school?

 

[Cetawin]

Indeed stop the peroixde it does damage the tissue. Use betadine or iodine solution if you must clean it again. The blu-kote should be available where you buy your feed. You can give her a scrambled egg, plain yogurt, even some cooked chicken to make sure she is getting enough protein and nutrients. The vitamins and electrolytes in her water are great.

Do a search here for giving aspirin...there is a certain amount they can have for pain...read as many posts on the subject as you can about how much to give them, there are some good links in the posts too.

She should heal if she is kept clean and dry ...and away from the other chickens. Good luck with her.

 

[wannahavehens]

I do have a can of Blu-Kote. I thought I read that you cannot ever eat eggs from a chicken that's been treated with it. I suppose at this point that's not very important though... I think I'll let her rest today/tonight, see how she is, then try the Blu-Kote tomorrow. Thank you all so much.

 

[MandyH]

You're not supposed to eat the chicken after using BLu-Kote, but the eggs havent killed US yet. I would recommend applying the blu-kote ASAP, as it will go ahead and promote healing.

 

[Ashmeade]

Sounds like you are doing all you can. Chickens are a lot tougher than they might seem. If she is eating and drinking ok and you keep wound clean, etc. she is likely to be ok. I have seen them come back from some nasty things that initially I thought they were gonners from. A friend of mine has a hen that a dog attacked and grabbed by the neck. She never did grow her feathers back there but she is fine now and free ranges with her others with no issues (looks like "Franken-Hen though).

 

[Judy]

I would use Neosporin rather than Blu-Kote. Use saline if you need to do any more wound cleansing (link below tells how to make your own.) Trim any feathers that have ends or pieces touching the wound.

Both peroxide and Betadine are excellent wound cleansers when the wound is new and dirty, though both should be diluted even then. Neither should be used repeatedly, because both damage new tissue that grows in.

She should be able to scar over in time if kept indoors and the wound is cleaned as needed. The Neosporin itself will relieve a lot of the pain, by killing surface germs and providing a barrier from air on the wound. (Blu Kote hurts.) I believe the aspirin dose is two baby aspirin a day, but not sure.

I would personally also give a round of penicillin.

http://healthfieldmedicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/normal_saline_for_wound_care

 

[aurorarose25]

I had something like that happen to one of my hens, it wasn't as wide. I put a lot of vaseline on the wound and kept it isolated from the others. It healed quickly and she had no problems and grew he feathers back nicely.
Hope this helps

 

[AlaskaBuffs]

I had a hen get a horrible wound in february or march, hens picked her a hole below her vent the size of the palm of my hand, it was huge, and her insides were comming out, I just cleaned her in betadaine wash, put some salve on it and kept her under a heat light with food and water close by i kept thinking she will die for sure, there is no way, but you know she kept on living, she grew a hard scab thing over the wound, I did not let her back with the group. She became my sweetie! Henny Penny. She followed me, would look into my backdoor looking for me, just freindly as can be, and my children let her back with the hens............just a few weeks ago. I did not know they did, and she did not survive the brutal attack. The hens picked the scab, pulled out everything, and of course we found her dead. I was crushed! Chickens are really good healers, so hang in there. btw, I never gave any antibiotics, and my hen started laying about 1mos after injury, amazing.

 

[Judy]

AlaskaBuffs, how sad, so sorry. What a rough lesson for the kids. It does point out the importance of isolation til they are healed, though, so once again, our experiences will benefit another chicken. Thanks for sharing.