Pullet frostbit feet- amputation questions

[amandamann724]

Our pullet was born with a bum leg and has always had trouble walking, but still made due. A few nights ago, she didn’t make it into the coop and it was under 15 degrees Fahrenheit. When my husband found her the next morning, she was frozen. He picked her up and realized she was still alive.
She was bleeding from the nose and was pretty frozen - feet, wings. He put her in our shed to allow her to slowly thaw... she was eating and drinking in no time. The bleeding stopped and everything thawed. We brought her inside the house and have been keeping a close eye on her.

Two days ago, her feet started swelling. Yesterday, blisters developed. I soaked her feet in chlorhexidine gluconate 2% last night and this morning. Followed by an application of vetericyn spray. The swelling and blisters are worse today.

I’m really worried about it. I read that it could spread up her leg. If that’s destined to happen, would it be appropriate to amputate the feet now to save the rest of the leg? She’s a dear pet and we will do everything we can to save her. I’ve already been reading up on handicap chickens and prosthetics, etc. so please don’t recommend culling unless there’s no chance in saving her.
Has anyone had experience with amputation? We don’t have a vet here... I’ve been reading about it but would like others to share their thoughts. Thank you!

i am including pictures from the first day through today. The last picture, her toes are only curled like that because of how I was holding her. They aren’t stuck like that.

 

[DiYMama540]

I definitely would not recommend amputating the feet. If they are dead, and destined to fall off, let them do it on their own. As long as she still has use of her feet, however unsightly, I would continue your treatment of just keeping her clean and comfortable. No more nights frozen outside!

 

[Eggcessive]

I am not in favor of amputation because it may take a couple of weeks to see the extent of the frostbite. It will probably take toes and may take the feet, but you will be able to see where the healthy skin is and the lines between the dead skin. Bone infection under a home surgery without powerful abtibiotics, would be much more possible now, and you may find there is some healthy tissue there. I will look for a few good threads that show the progression of this type of frostbite. Can you bring her inside into a dog crate on a clean towel until she heals some?

 

[amandamann724]

I definitely would not recommend amputating the feet. If they are dead, and destined to fall off, let them do it on their own. As long as she still has use of her feet, however unsightly, I would continue your treatment of just keeping her clean and comfortable. No more nights frozen outside!

Ok thank you! Do you know if there risk of spreading up the leg?

 

[amandamann724]

I am not in favor of amputation because it may take a couple of weeks to see the extent of the frostbite. It will probably take toes and may take the feet, but you will be able to see where the healthy skin is and the lines between the dead skin. Bone infection under a home surgery without powerful abtibiotics, would be much more possible now, and you may find there is some healthy tissue there. I will look for a few good threads that show the progression of this type of frostbite. Can you bring her inside into a dog crate on a clean towel until she heals some?

Ok thank you so much. She is inside, yes. We have been changing out the pine shavings every day. Do you think a clean towel is necessary? I don’t have any extra, so I’d have to run to goodwill or something.

 

[DiYMama540]

Not necessarily a towel I guess, just clean bedding...don't let it get wet or soiled. Pine shavings, towel, sheets, bath mat, old t shirts

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use a soft towel or puppy pads over the pine shavings. Pine shaving s are dusty and sticky, which may injure the tissue in the feet more. Once the line of frostbite is apparent, you will see where the healthy skin is. People always worry about gangrene and infection, but each winter we see cases where the toe tip, toes, or the whole foot comes off. Still working on getting some before and after pictures and threads.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a thread where you need to look at all 3 pages to see the before and after pictures (warning graphic) :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-foot-issue.1342800/
In this picture below, it shows the swollen healthy tissue just above the black frozen tissue, and that demarkation is where the toes will come off: