Post-bumble surgery care advice needed.

[Moomin2]

This is a follow-up question to a thread I posted earlier today -https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-with-a-fat-foot.1257674/

So, thanks to the lightning fast responses in the previous thread, our chicken just had surgery for her very large bumble foot courtesy of our local farm animal vet... However, he didn't put any kind of bandage or covering on the huge gaping wound that she now has on her foot. We are keeping her in our bathroom to minimise dirt in her wound but she is obviously not very comfortable as she can't have hay or sawdust or anything and has had no form of pain relief. I have sacrificed a bath mat for her to sit on but it's not great. Any ideas of how I could make her comfortable without getting 'stuff' in her wound. It seems a bit crazy to me that he didn't put any kind of protective dressing on her. Am I right to be concerned? She's going back for a check-up in two days.

Also, what can I give her food/vitamin wise to help her recovery?

 

[azygous]

Yes, bandaging is a good idea. I spray the wound with Vetericyn, let dry, then dab on antibiotic ointment, cover with a non-stick gauze pad, then wrap with elastic Vetrap. If you do a good job of bandaging, no dirt can get in to wound, and I let my patients go right back to the flock and normal life. I inspect the wound and change the bandage every two days.

 

[Moomin2]

Our vet categorically refused to bandage her foot, saying that it needed to 'drain'. It's currently 'draining' all over the bathroom floor and in the bath, where Catherine chose to sleep last night. I have no idea where I could get vet-wrap or antibiotic ointment around here without going through the vet (We live in rural France).

I guess she will have to stay in the bathroom for a few days and i'll see what he says on Saturday. Shall be ordering some emergency chicken care products online to not have to go through this again.

 

[azygous]

I sure would like to see a photo of this draining wound. I have treated a most serious case of bumblefoot myself that required two years of soaks and surgeries, but I've never had to drain the wound. I'm wondering how deeply the vet cut into the foot.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would at least cover it with gauze and tape or what you use for first aid supplies. A clean rag wrapped around it would keep it cleaner than walking on the floor. Vet wrap is simply cohesive bandage, also used in humans, and it can be cut in strips. It comes in colors and patterns.

 

[Moomin2]

I sure would like to see a photo of this draining wound. I have treated a most serious case of bumblefoot myself that required two years of soaks and surgeries, but I've never had to drain the wound. I'm wondering how deeply the vet cut into the foot.

Yes! Exactly! This is my concern! I am a complete beginner when it comes to chickens but based on what I've read/the advice given over the last 24 hours I am very concerned that this vet has not treated the foot properly. I wasn't present during the surgery, my partner was, so I have no idea how much tissue was removed.

Catherine is very scared and seems traumatised so I don't want to pull her about for the time being. I will most definitely be dressing the wound after the vet sees her tomorrow but I know that if I dress it before he will just remove it and tell me off for going against him.

I wouldn't say that the wound is 'draining' but there are obviously blood smears on the floor and in the bath. I have given her a clean crate with clean straw and some clean towels to sit on. Plus a spoonful of probiotic yoghurt to try and calm her but she is hiding behind the bidet and panics when I go in.

Luckily our bathroom is in the basement and is apart from the toilet, so at least she's getting peace.

I will take photos when we have to pick her up and take her back to the vet tomorrow. To be honest I'm dreading looking at her foot.

 

[Moomin2]

I would at least cover it with gauze and tape or what you use for first aid supplies. A clean rag wrapped around it would keep it cleaner than walking on the floor. Vet wrap is simply cohesive bandage, also used in humans, and it can be cut in strips. It comes in colors and patterns. View attachment 1457248

Do you think I should try to disinfect it before bandaging? She has been in the bathroom since yesterday evening. I was thinking of waiting until after her vet visit tomorrow afternoon before bandaging but I don't want to take any risks.

 

[azygous]

Your hen would benefit from daily foot soaks in Epsom salts, up to three times a day. Do you have access to Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)? It can help debride the wound and promote healing while flushing away accumulated bacteria that can develop into infection. If you have no Epsom salt, warm water and a mild soap would have to do.

Let the wound air dry, and it may stop oozing.

 

[redblack10]

Moomin2 - you will learn sooooo much from the people here at BYC. To calm your girl, catch her and sit with her in your lap. Have a loosely scrambled egg (plain, or add a little olive oil or cheese or apple cider vinegar or yogurt) ready. Hold her snugly, so she can't flap around, and she will relax. Gently stroke her earlobes, comb, and wattles, and talk to her. Feed her whatever she will eat. Holding her wings in, s l o w l y put her on her back on your lap, so you can examine her wound. (I smell wounds to detect infection, but that might be too gross for you!) Can you get "human" triple-antibiotic ointment, like Bacitracin or Neosporin and knuckle bandaids (the fabric kind, with the 2 flaps on each side) at your drugstore? If so, fill the hole with the ointment and bandage her foot, so the flaps come up between her toes and wrap on her foot. Keep us all posted!

 

[getaclue]

He may want it to drain for good reason. I'd use betadine first aid solution. Squirt a bit in there at least once a day. It won't burn, and is very good at preventing infection.