Please Read---Rooster ----sore on leg not healling

[tiki244]

I obtained a banty cochin rooster a month ago to try and "fix" him. He does not live with my other chickens. When I got him He had a one inch diameter sore where one of his spurs had cut into his leg. I clipped the spurs, washed him and cut out nickle sized lice egg nests. His comb was also shrunken and pale and he couldnt walk. His entire leg was about twice the size of normal. I gave him penicillin injections every day and he got considerably better. I ended up having to clean out the sore on the leg and letting it heal from the inside out. His sore is smaller and he can now walk with a limp. He enjoys sunshine and green grass and fresh air. He gets to eat what he wants and he sleeps in a box in the house at night.

I gave injections of penicillin for 12 days and then stopped. He got a fever shortly after so I started up the shots again. His leg is almost all the way gone down to regular size, except for his upper thigh is still swollen and he has some puss like material under the skin right by the sore. The sore is much smaller but not gone. I tried draining the pus like material a few times, but only blood came out. Well I stopped the injections 2 days ago and I am wondering if there is any other treatment I can give him. It looks like he will only get sicker now without the shots. But I cant keep him on them forever, and I think the usefullness has worn out.

At least he seems to be enjoying a little freedom and sunshine and fresh air before he dies. Poor guy. I cannot afford a vet. Any suggestions would be appreciated, he is such a sweet little guy. Thanks

 

[tiki244]

I have given him polyvisol and he loves it. He grabs the dropper as soon as he sees it and tries to drink it all up before I even get it in the water. And he has had his epsom salts soaks too.

 

[tiki244]

Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Some one will come along with advice, wish it could be me.

Can you post a pic or two of the injury and where the pus area is? I wonder if something is in the wound?

 

[LynneP]

I'd be inclined to treat any remaining wet spots on that leg with wound powder, available at tack and farm supple stores. It's mostly styptic powder and sulfur and is often used on livestock on leg wounds and sores so you can leave it open to heal.

The vitamins will support his immune system and I agree that your antibiotics may have outlived their usefulness and it is now better to treat with nutrition and a drying agent.

 

[tiki244]

Yes I do have some of this powder at home and will put some on him when I get there

thanks both of you for responding

 

[allison finch]

Keep cleaning the wound with a betedine solution. Dry it and then put neosporin cream on it. Any pus shows some infection is still present. If the pus pocket in beneath sealed skin, you might have to lance it (cut it open) so that you can drain the wound. That way it will heal from the inside out. I wouldn't use the clotting powder until all signs of infection are gone. You don't want to seal the bacteria in under the powder, IMHO.

 

[purpletree23]

I'm assuming you bought the penicillin at a feed store. I would go there and see if they have anything stronger you could try. A vet should do a culture and sensitivity test to see what antibiotics would work best but I understand you can't afford to go to the vet. My point is to try a stronger antibiotic. You've put a lot into this guy and I don't want to see you loose him.

Black salve is inexpensive. Go to a drugstore and ask the pharmacist for Ickthomol (spelling) Soak the leg in warm water and epsom salt. Spread the salve on the wound and bandage. Do this every day until the pus and infection come to the surface. It should only be a day or 2 before you can put pressure on the outside of the sore or peel off the scab and (yuck) everything should come out. When the infection is drained dry it and use neosporin and bandage.

Good luck. I'll keep both uf you in my prayers tonight.

 

[LynneP]

How is poor roo today?

 

[tiki244]

He is not good since I stopped the penicillin.