Ripped Skin

[Loona]

Don't mess with her too much...it will heal. Just be patient.
Is she still eating and drinking well?

Yes, she's eating heartily, and it's encouraging to see that. I noticed her skin is turning a pink shade like sun/skin sensitivity and maybe it's from the antibiotic Clavamox. She is the most picked on hen of the flock. She's also the most gentle and nice, which is why we named her Sweet Pea.

When you say don't mess with her too much, what do you mean? Like the vet said I need to be "vigorous" with cleaning it twice a day but I def wondered if that is too irritating. It's only been two days of cleaning but it seems/feels like each time I do I'm interrupting a healing that's in process. I dry it very well with firm pats of a paper towel to get it as dry as possible.
Can you see in the pic where I put that one stitch with dental floss, do you think it's ok? Because even though the skin has shrunk it is still living. Like if I didn't put that one stitch on that corner the entire flap of skin falls open and the exposed 'meat' is even bigger. I worry about if it will 'connect' again and what might happen under it. So when I clean it I have been putting my finger under there to dry it after squirting on the solution. By doing so I've stretched the knot a bit. I worry that it could be a breeding area of infection, but I am trying to keep it clean and dry. I see no sign of pus under there.

To observe her you'd never know there's such an injury, so I do hope this is a good sign and I should be more positive, but it' worrisome! I have this feeling I shouldn't be so aggressive with the cleaning though. Only once a day, vs twice a day. I'm afraid of doing 'too much" - so when you said don't mess w/her too much, I'm agreeing with that. I'm going to take daily pics so I get a record for example of the healing process. I truly want to make it to the finish line.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

I don't have any suggestions or anything to add because I have never dealt with anything like this. You are doing a great job! I'm praying for both you and sweet pea!

 

[Kiki]

Keeping it clean is good, but I would not be patting it or rubbing it at all.
I would keep putting the cream on it daily and keep her in a CLEAn area where she can't get it dirty.

 

[Loona]

Keeping it clean is good, but I would not be patting it or rubbing it at all.
I would keep putting the cream on it daily and keep her in a CLEAn area where she can't get it dirty.

She didn't give me any cream at all. I asked about Neosporin, she said the cream 'can' be useful but she doesn't think it's necessary.... I'm really not sure about that. Should I get some? She gave me some chlorohexadone, a blue cleanser solution to dilute w/water until it's just a tinge of light blue. I actually think I remember this stuff from a long time ago when I had to used it on my dog. It wasn't blue though but the name sounds familiar) anyway, I am going to do that just keep the area clean. I feel this vigorous scrubbing of the skin line isn't really helping.

What does the exposed 'meat' end up doing? Like right now it just looks dry and tight and a bit dark. But like I said she is a black chicken so I think the meat is darker. But will this exposed meat, grow a scab? Kinda what it looks like its doing? I appreciate your advice so much! Thank you!

 

[Kiki]

I'm not sure what the blue stuff is but if the vet gave it to you I would use it.
I would probably just pour it over the wound though and NOT scrub or rub it.
for some reason thought they gave you some cream,
I personally would cripple, dab some coconut oil on the wound daily.
I've used coconut oil, and only coconut oil and an open, nasty , meat showing dog wound before, AFTER the vet recommended not stitching it closed..which I had a hard time understanding hoe the heck it was going to heal, not being stitched, but it did.

 

[Kiki]

btw..yes it should scab..but it won't scab over night and it you are rubbing it I would think that it would prevent it from scabbing.

 

[Loona]

I don't have any suggestions or anything to add because I have never dealt with anything like this. You are doing a great job! I'm praying for both you and sweet pea!

Thank you so much

 

[Eggcessive]

KikisGirls has really helped you a lot. There is nothing wrong with using plain neosporin/polysorin/or triple antibiotic ointment on the wound. If you read back through a lot of threads on these types of wounds, the ointment helps to heal it. Instead there is a product called Vetericyn Wound Spray from feed stores that can just be sprayed on, and no rubbing or blotting is needed. As long as she eats and drinks, and you can keep flies out of the wound, it should close together. It sounds as though the flap of skin may need to be trimmed off, but I would use caution, and do what you think is best. It will not re-attach itself. Good luck to you. P.S.--I would file down or trim the rooster's spurs to dull them--this is how many hens end up with these sorts of wounds from mating.

 

[Loona]

KikisGirls has really helped you a lot. There is nothing wrong with using plain neosporin/polysorin/or triple antibiotic ointment on the wound. If you read back through a lot of threads on these types of wounds, the ointment helps to heal it. Instead there is a product called Vetericyn Wound Spray from feed stores that can just be sprayed on, and no rubbing or blotting is needed. As long as she eats and drinks, and you can keep flies out of the wound, it should close together. It sounds as though the flap of skin may need to be trimmed off, but I would use caution, and do what you think is best. It will not re-attach itself. Good luck to you. P.S.--I would file down or trim the rooster's spurs to dull them--this is how many hens end up with these sorts of wounds from mating.

It's been on my mind about trimming spurs, but quite frankly put it off. I don't know the least thing about them, but I need to start! I've seen a youtube where people pluck them out, but wow, I really can't do that myself and is it humane?

I will look for the Vetricyn tomorrow. Sounds like a good thing. Yes, I'm trying to keep the flies away with some bug repellent. So far so good. Since it's under her wing I think it helps keep it clean and the flys out. But I sprayed the bug repellent anyway. Thank you for insight on skin not really able to re-attach. I wondered. The 'flap' does look like living skin. Maybe in this position it will live and scab up with the rest of the area. Will be taking daily pics to document the progress. Thanks again!

 

[Loona]