possible abscess by vent, what to do?

[henry's mama]

I need some help regarding one of my hens. I checked her yesterday and her back end was bloody, looked infected, swollen, the tissue had maggots in it. I washed her off, cleaned her with peroxide, irrigated with saline solution, applied antibiotic cream, isolated her from the other hens, gave her antibiotics in her water. Checked on her today and the swelling seems bigger, almost the size of a grapefruit. The maggots are gone, she is alert, walks around. Is not eating a lot but some. I'm not sure what to do, any ideas?

 

[Imp]

Could it be a prolapsed vent? I'm not good with the medical stuff, but I've linked a past thread for you to look at. Hopefully it will. Maggots aren't a good sign usually. And if you could post a pix that would be a great help. At the top of the emergency thread there is a sticky that asks for a lot of info that the experts here can use to help you out. Also in the blue bar at the top of the page is a search button that you can use to research. There's more info then you can imagine here. Good Luck. and sorry you are going through this.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=203748

Imp- Welcome to BYC

 

[henry's mama]

I'm not sure if her vent is prolapsed, I think I can see the whole thing above the swollen tissue (not sure if that makes sense). I've seen her with a prolapsed vent before and this looks different. I don't have my camera, so I can't post a picture.

 

[Imp]

There is an oil gland near the vent. Maybe it is an abcess/infection there? If you don't think it's a prolapse then it seems like you would need antibiotics. And keep the maggots off. Keep her quiet and in a small, dim and warm spot. Probably vitamins wouldn't hurt, and lots of people here recommend probiotics. Is a vet an option? that would be the best at least to try to get a diagnosis. Sorry I'm not more help.

Imp/Russ

 

[threehorses]

On the antibiotics in the water, what did you give? And how much?

Chicken 'pus' is often cheesy and solid. Is that what you feel in the area?

You did right by all the cleaning. You should continue to keep her inside and clean. If you can get screw-worm wound spray, it would be very helpful.

For skin wounds, Baytril (from the vet), and the 'cillins (Penicillin, amoxicillin, clavamox) are good antibiotics. THe 'mycins and 'cyclines are not - they're for different bacteria in different places. So if you're not using a 'cillin, or baytril, but a 'mycin or 'cycline cease the antibiotics and give yogurt for 2 days.

I'd try to get one of those antibiotics. I would also consider the possibility of lancing the abcess out, but there's just not enough information for me to officially recommend that.

I do agree with a vitamin/electrolyte package in the water to help her. And probiotics. Keep cleaning any maggots in case some hatch late. And if you can, please do take her to a vet. But if you can't, then ask us about the shots.

Any chance you could get a picture?

 

[henry's mama]

we had some antibiotic other than one of the "cillins", so I've stopped giving it to her. I will borrow a friend's camera and get a picture up today. The skin below her vent is black and her poop is orangish-yellow, not sure if that's helpful. I can't find any opening/wound but am guessing there was/is one because the other day maggots were crawling in and out of her skin. Not sure if I should try to drain it b/c I'm not sure what "it" is. I've called around to vets and can't find one that takes care of chickens. Any suggestions for the Madison, WI area?

 

[threehorses]

http://toolady.com/vetrefer/states/wisconsin.htm

I'd check that. Then I'd call the university:

Ron Kean
Poultry Extension Specialist
255 Animal Sciences
1675 Observatory Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
Tel: 608-262-8807
Email: [email protected]

That's your contact there. Actually the university probably has a clinic that will do things inexpensively. College ag clinics usually are awesome!

 

[henry's mama]

A friend of mine who is a vet nurse came over this afternoon and lanced the abscess. Lots and lots of pus came out, my hen was very patient. She's down in the basement in a cage with food and water. I'll wash her up a couple of times a day and see how she does. Thanks for the information!

 

[threehorses]

Awesome? Well yes awesome!

Better out than in, as they say.

Did the nurse advise you on how to continue to flush the wound? I've always been told to use a light tea-colored solution of iodine and water (warm) to flush several times and then pat dry. I've also used nolvasan. I believe chlorhexidine is another possibility but I'd have to check on that before recommending as I might be remembering incorrectly.

But definitely my vets always had me use the very weak iodine flush (betadine, water, very very weak tea colored solution - certainly too weak to drink).

Then you'll want to keep it from healing too fast on top to avoid another abcess.

Really such a great move! Your friend is awesome.

Please do let us know how she heals, will you?

 

[henry's mama]

I have another question about my chicken: the abscess got lanced and drained and there's lots of dead tissue around the incision but no more pus. When we were draining the abscess yesterday several small masses came out with the pus. They were oval-shaped and orange-ish in color. I found several more in her cage this morning and later this afternoon. Any ideas as to what these masses are? Should I be concerned? Also, any ideas on what I can do if the incision doesn't close up (because of the dead tissue surrounding it). Thanks!