Needing help, think my Hen may be dying.

[splatsta4]

Just wanted to let everyone know that my hen seems to be doing better. I wasn't able to get by a feed store and pick up anything that any of you have recommended. I know this may be wrong, but I used peroxide and some iodine on her yesterday. I have also noticed she seems to be moving around more than what she first was. The area on her back looks a little better also. I had a late night at work tonight and didn't get the chance to work on her this evening. I will be working on her again tomorrow. If anyone thinks the way I am treating her is wrong, please let me know.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

honestly sometimes the best medicine is just rest... i'd plan on keeping her separated for about a week at least. just make sure she has lots of food and water....if you have yogurt that would be great.

if you have a few minutes and are able - you can also take her outside to peck around in the grass ****by herself**** not in the henyard with the others.

just keep her apart and quiet


good job on saving her!

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
I agree with ohiofarmgirl that now that you have that wound well cleaned, and dressed, to let her rest. You can just 'smell' the wound and look at it to see if it's regressing, dab some ointment on top. Otherwise if you felt the hydrogen peroxide and iodine needed a redo, that's fine. I usually do it first. THen just do ointment. But if the wound gets nasty or I didn't clean it thorougly the first time, I certainly have been known to re-do it once. From now on hydrogen peroxide might do more harm than good, but burning away the other stuff probably was needed so good call.

You can actually reuse iodine if you make a light tea-colored solution out of it without causing burning if a wound needs that type of cleaning. BUt now this one won't. Just dressing to keep it pliable since it's a dry wound, and keep it protected from dirt.

Good job! Please let us know how she does.

 

[Peeper7]

Good job with your hen! I agree with 3 horses that once the wound is cleaned up, keeping it moist with ointment or salve.

From a nursing perspective -- moist wound healing is the ticket these days. If you keep using peroxide and iodine once the wound is clean, the new growing tissue will be damaged and the wound will close much more slowly.

Maggots (fly larvae) are actually a good way to clean out a wound if they are already there. Disgusting, but they will eat all of the pus from any infection and provide a clean wound bed. I've seen it (with nausea) on people.

Infection is your worst enemy right now. Keep a layer of antimicrobial ointment on it and it should heal quickly.

good luck!