Poorly silkie please help

[Silkieandindianrunnermum]

Hi my silkie is about 2 and a half, last week she somehow managed to break/sprain a leg-she was unable to walk and one was much hotter than the other so I padded and splinted the leg and separated her(bringing her into the kitchen) on bed rest. This morning I noticed her smelling bad so checked her all over and found maggots in her vent so I have saline bathed her removed all maggots i can find and carefully dried her, I will keep doing this until all maggots are gone and none return however she still can't weight bear at all, won't stand just falls over.. Any suggestions please? The poor girl is really having an awful time and I'm at a loss what to do now

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry to hear about your hen.

Could you post a few pictures of her, and her vent area?

Her vent should be flushed often, either with saline, or more potent, something like SWAT. Any debris, and maggots not removed after flushing should be picked off using tweezers.

My initial concerns surfaces around the fact that if she's had these maggots on her vent for some time, she likely has an infection, and is most likely dehydrated. If she already isn't, she should place in a warm area, since sick/injured birds tend not to eat as much, their metabolic energy tends to decrease which means they're more prone to becoming hypothermic.

Once warmed, I would then address the fact that she's likely dehydrated. Preferably, you get a red rubber catheter, or aquarium tubing, and tube fluids into her crop directly, but if that's not an option, you can drip a few drops of Gatorade, or Pedialyte along her beak. The latter option by no means will completely address her hydration, but it is better than nothing. Here is some info on tube feeding.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-q-and-a.1215032/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/

Starting her on antibiotics may be a good idea, do you have any on hand?

If she's having a hard time staying upright, you may make one of these "slings" for her. The photos are shown below.

 

[MixedFlock23]

Hello, I'm so sorry to hear about your silkie. I'm new here, and just heard about "fly strike" which sounds like what you are dealing with. Here are a few links for more info.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fly-strike

https://the-chicken-chick.com/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...y-tale-with-graphic-photo-progression.712322/
I hope that helps.

 

[Silkieandindianrunnermum]

Thank you for your replies I'm pretty sure it's flystrike but would that also stop her being able to stand? Attached are pictures of my very poorly looking girl apologies a vent photo was difficult to get, I can't see any more maggots this morning. I bathed her last night in saline and then gently blow dried her to get her dry and warm (took a very long time with silkie feathers) she is inside and warm and has a makeshift hammock. I am just cooling down some more saline for another bath this morning and waiting for the shop to open is Swat the blue antiseptic spray? Thank you for your help

 

[MixedFlock23]

She is very pretty. I'm no expert, but I would guess that she's injured her leg and then, unable to walk, got poo on her and the flies then came and laid eggs.
I have not tube fed, but I would try to, if she were mine. I second getting antibiotics in her asap also. (Especially since you said her leg was hot. I bet she's got an infection in her leg and possibly another from the fly larvae.)
I think the spray that Isaac mentioned is this: https://www.qcsupply.com/sullivans-swat-fly-control-spray.html
It has insecticides in it.
Another fly strike forum/blog mentioned keeping the spot underwater for several minutes to drive out the maggots (they need air, they assumed). Maybe try that to see if any more come out. They also mentioned that more eggs hatched the next day or so... so you'll want to keep looking for them.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. Seems so difficult. You are doing a good job caring for her.

 

[Silkieandindianrunnermum]

Thank you so much for your kind reply I have been giving her saline baths for 15 to 20 mins keeping vent submerged and that seems to be drowning them but will keep doing the same for the next few days and will try and get some antibiotics ASAP any suggestions on what to get brand dose etc?

 

[Isaac 0]

@MixedFlock23 , gave you a link to where to get SWAT spray, you can also use SWAT ointment which will stay on the vent longer. Here's a link to that,

https://www.amazon.com/Farnam-SWAT-Repellent-Ointment-Horses/dp/B001DELT34
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farnam-swat-clear-fly-repellent-ointment-6-oz

As far as antibiotics, the only one you'll be able to pick up in-store is going to be the Penicillin G injectable, the rest need to be ordered online, which may take a couple of days. Take note, that lots of bacteria are resistant to penicillin so it won't be as effective, but will be better than nothing. Since Penicillin is given IM, you'll need 22 gauge needles, and 3ml syringes for administration.

Here are some links, just let us know which one you decide on.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/durvet-penicillin-injectable-500cc
https://www.chewy.com/fish-aid-antibiotics-amoxicillin/dp/185201#:~:text=You can help your finned,negative bacteria plaguing your fish.
https://www.chewy.com/fish-aid-antibiotics-cephalexin/dp/185210

There are other sites you can get antibiotics from, but I only included Chewy's antibiotics as they will probably have the fastest delivery. Once you get the antibiotics, let us know, and I'll get a dose for you. I will need her weight as well.

 

[Please help me]

im sorry- no idea what to do, isaac is like profesh so you've got a good adviser, sounds like your chickens in good hands!! she's lucky to have you!! i know this must be hard so keep remembering to look after yourself as well as you're chicken!
you're doing great!!- hugs (virtually- duh!!)