Open wound, HELP

[sphauler]

My Rhode Island Red received a bite or scratch to her neck a few weeks ago which I did not know about until yesterday. After coming home from work I noticed blood on her neck with a large open wound. The size of it is about a silver dollar. Other than shaking her neck once in awhile she is still eating, drinking and roaming the yard like normal. I tried to wipe the wound with a warm cloth but other than that what should I do? Can I use some kind of disinfectant or Hydrogen Peroxide? Thanks for the help.

sphauler

 

[animallover505]

try Hydrogen Peroxide. Then seperate her, or the others will attack at the sight and smell of blood.

 

[DeannaOR]

try Hydrogen Peroxide. Then seperate her, or the others will attack at the sight and smell of blood.

Hydrogen peroxide damages healthy tissue. It should not be used on an open wound. Yes it bubbles away bacteria..but it also eats away healthy tissue and makes healing take longer.
You could clean it with water or saline and then maybe some blue kote.

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/blue_kote_wound_dressing.html

At home I use an enzyme spray called Absolutely Natural Groom Aid..I use it on me and all the animals it is a great wound cleanser. You can eat it even, although it tastes a bit icky. You can find it online, but I doubt you will find it locally.

Edited to add....lol I realized that sounded weird. The Groom Aid spray eats up bacteria.... I often spray it in my dogs mouth to keep their teeth clean and in great shape. I have used it in my mouth on occasion. I used it on my surgical wounds after surgery..it's great stuff.

 

[animallover505]

Oh, I didn't realize that. So sorry.

 

[DeannaOR]

Oh, I didn't realize that. So sorry.

Nearly all of us grew up with peroxide being poured on wounds to clean them. It was the first thing my Mom reached for =) I run a little holistic minded pet supply shop and I am always reading new research and studies...a bit of a nerd I am. There is a recent study out that I found interesting about new ways to use peroxide though..having to do with tumors and kicking the immune system into gear. It has it's uses.

 

[animallover505]

I know I always use peroxide. Didn't realize it was different in chickens.

 

[DeannaOR]

I know I always use peroxide. Didn't realize it was different in chickens.

It is the same on chicken tissue as human tissue. There are many articles about the use of peroxide available on the web. I'll see if I can fins a couple and post them.

 

[DeannaOR]

Ok, here are a few links.

http://www.rd.com/health/7-first-aid-standbys-you-should-never-use/

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/19/health/19real.html

http://familydoctormag.com/first-ai...oxide-for-wounds-is-it-better-than-water.html

Some articles I have read say that you can use it the first time cleaning a wound if the wound is grit filled (debris) because the peroxide will help bubble out the debris, but only the initial cleaning. It should never be used in a puncture.