Pullet, infected, swollen leg

[Polka and Dot]

This is my first flock. I have 7 hens, 19 weeks. My Barred Rock cut / poked (I think) her leg somehow and its infected. I've been soaking it in saline water and putting antibiotic ointment on with small bandage and vet wrap (to keep it clean) for the last four days. It doesn't seem to be getting better. Her foot is still warm compared to the other and her 'knee' seems more swollen even than it was. Her feet are fine. I don't think its bumble foot in the traditional sense but could it still be a staf infection? She is still moving around and walking ok, though she is favouring it and holding it up. She's eating and drinking and although she's a bit slower than the flock at times is otherwise behaving normal.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This is my first flock. I have 7 hens, 19 weeks. My Barred Rock cut / poked (I think) her leg somehow and its infected. I've been soaking it in saline water and putting antibiotic ointment on with small bandage and vet wrap (to keep it clean) for the last four days. It doesn't seem to be getting better. Her foot is still warm compared to the other and her 'knee' seems more swollen even than it was. Her feet are fine. I don't think its bumble foot in the traditional sense but could it still be a staf infection? She is still moving around and walking ok, though she is favouring it and holding it up. She's eating and drinking and although she's a bit slower than the flock at times is otherwise behaving normal. View attachment 4222619View attachment 4222620

Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry about your pullet.

Do you think the leg is fractured?

I'd continue to care for it like you have been doing. Wrap to stabilize the leg, but check frequently to make sure wrappings are not too tight.

She may benefit from an antibiotic if you think it's getting infected. Since this is the leg and possibly the bone is involved, Cephalexin would be a good choice to use.

Some folks order online here:
https://hardypaw.com/products/fix-flex-cephalexin-capsules-fish-antibiotics?variant=44787619496097

Dosing can be found here:
https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/cephalexin

 

[Eggcessive]

I would not be surprised if the leg is fractured where the swelling is. The splinting and limiting her activity can help it to heal in several weeks. Don’t let her run or jump up and down on a roost. Keeping her in a wire dog crate with food, water, and bedding near the other chickens would be best to force her to rest it.

 

[Polka and Dot]

I would not be surprised if the leg is fractured where the swelling is. The splinting and limiting her activity can help it to heal in several weeks. Don’t let her run or jump up and down on a roost. Keeping her in a wire dog crate with food, water, and bedding near the other chickens would be best to force her to rest it.

Ok. I did not think of a fracture!
This is a picture of the first day I found her, I thought this was a little poke/cut (I even thought it might have been a cat bite) but maybe a fracture makes more sense!

How would it then get infected though? Because the scales on her leg move apart?

Thank you so much!

 

[Polka and Dot]

Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry about your pullet.

Do you think the leg is fractured?

I'd continue to care for it like you have been doing. Wrap to stabilize the leg, but check frequently to make sure wrappings are not too tight.

She may benefit from an antibiotic if you think it's getting infected. Since this is the leg and possibly the bone is involved, Cephalexin would be a good choice to use.

Some folks order online here:
https://hardypaw.com/products/fix-flex-cephalexin-capsules-fish-antibiotics?variant=44787619496097

Dosing can be found here:
https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/cephalexin

Thank you so much! I just put another picture from 5 days ago in the other comment below. I hadn't thought of fracture - The leg 'scales' move apart like that for any kind of swelling I guess. Hmmmm. So glad I posted <3