Keflex in water for puncture wounds?

[Syrain]

One of my hens was attacked by what we presume to be a dog, and I was wondering if I could add the contents of a 500mg capsule of Keflex in the three-gallon waterer I have. She has two puncture wounds and some missing feathers, but minimal oozing and bleeding. I've looked around and found dosage information but it doesn't say what dosage for putting it in water, and the pills are too large for my poor girl to swallow anyhow. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have more than one capsule? Cephalexin similar to Keflex dosage for chickens is 25-50mg per pound 4 times a day roughly. For a five pound hen, that would only amount to 2-4 doses, or 1 day's worth. Procaine Penicillin G from your feed store (refrigerated) might be a better option. Dosage is 1/4 cc/ml daily given into breast muscle 1/4 inch for 4 days. If the isn't possible, I would try to keep the puncture wounds open for at least 2 days by cleaning them with peroxide twice a day, then put antibiotic ointment on the wound. After 2 days, stop the peroxide since it may prevent healing, and just use ointment. If the puncture closes too quickly, an abscess may form. I've dealt with many animal bites on dogs and cats at home, and that seems to work. The initial cleaning of a wound is best with betadine or hibiclens to disinfect it.

 

[Syrain]

I was only able to pick her up this morning and she's infested with small maggots in the wounds. I cleaned them out as best I could with peroxide, then bathed the area in antibacterial soap and covered with triple antibiotic. Looking at the wounds though, amoxicillin might be a better option. Would a 500mg tablet be alright to dissolve in three gallons? She's pretty badly infected already due to the heat and the flies. Anything else is out of the question due to funds; I'm doing the best I can with what I have given the situation.

 

[Eggcessive]

Amoxicillin dosage is 60 mg per lb twice a day, so 300 mg twice a day for a 5 lb hen, or 50mg per pound 3 times a day, so 250mg given 3 times a day for a 5 lb hen. Look at Post # 11 here for that dosage: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...oxicillin-dose-for-a-five-pound-brahma-hen/10

Then here are some threads on fly strike or maggots in wounds:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...autionary-tale-with-graphic-photo-progression
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...has-huge-hole-below-vent-fly-strike-confirmed
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-green-runny-poop-now-fly-strike-graphic-pics

 

[Syrain]

Thank you to everyone who helped; she's doing better now! She'll probably be back with her sister in about a week.