ROOSTER WITH SEVERE FROSTBITE AND CATBITE ON LEG

[SAILORSLIGHT]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and to chickens. Before yesterday I had never even held a chicken, lol. I am however an animal lover, and that is how I have found myself taking in a young rooster who is pretty sick and needs quite a bit of help. Long story short, this poor guy got left out in the elements by his owners, and sometime in the course of the last few days got bitten by what we think is a cat. His comb and wattles are SEVERELY frostbitten and the leg is infected and very swollen. When I saw him I pretty much burst into tears, called the owners and told them I was taking him so he has a chance. If it looks like he won't make it, he will be humanely euthanized. We are working with my vet, however I have heard that often the people who own and love these birds know just as much if not more than our vets about helping them pull through a tough situation, so I was hoping that you folks would have some ideas for drawing the infection out of the leg. We currently have him in the house near a heater with plenty of food and water. He has already had a shot of antibiotics, his leg soaked in epson salts, and are using a proscribed antibiotic ointment for his leg. I have also been putting petroleum jelly on the comb and wattles. Any other tips on chicken care would be much much appreciated! Thanks, KB.

 

[sourland]

I commend you on helping this rooster. Flesh wounds tend to heal quite well in birds - puncture type wounds can be a little more difficult. The blackened portions of his comb will most likely dry up and fall off. Sounds as if you are doing all the right things. Good luck.

 

[Sonya9]

He needs to stay on strong antibiotics if it is indeed a cat bite. Cats carry a lot of really nasty germs in their mouth and even humans that get bit can end up in the hospital (nothing against kitties, but their bites need to be taken seriously). I hope the shot of antibiotics will last long enough and is strong enough to battle any cat related infections.

Birds that are scratched or bitten by a cat often die from pasteurella virus, even a tiny scratch can do it which is why many people with parrots and other exotic birds keep all cats far away from them.

It is good that you are keeping him warm. Might also want to wet down his food and add a raw egg, moist food is a lot easier for a sick bird to eat and they really like egg.