Seven week old roo injured by fox-- Update pg2 :(

[princessmama]

I found this guy hopping on one leg when I went out to feed Sunday morning. The silly chickens were sleeping the corner of the coop where there was exposed wire near the floor. He got grabbed thru the wire. We had been out a couple of times in the evening the get the birds off the floor and thought they got the message. The funny thing is they have been on roosts or in nest boxes ever since

Maybe got some sense scared into them. Anyway we covered the wire with big rocks on the outside and mister fox has given up digging around there.

We've been cleaning the leg with saline and peroxide and antibiotic cream. He is in a cage inside the house. We panicked a little the first time we saw all the green but some research assured us it was just bruising. I'm thinking the darkness under the leg is blood? Like he bled under the skin there?

The thing that's worrying me is he's not eating or drinking much. Yesterday evening I started giving him some water and vitamins with an eyedropper. He seems to appreciate this and often will hop over and take a peck or two at his food, but not much. Even yogurt or eggs he'll only eat a bite or two. Yesterday we soaked his leg for a bit to clean the bites a little more, that's when we took the pic. I was holding him to soak the leg and his breastbone was sticking out so far it seemed about to come thru his skin. He looks fine sitting in the cage with all his feathers fluffed out, but it really freaked me out holding him and seeing how thin he is. He seems to be laying down more than he did at first. He's quieter too

Any thoughts anyone? This is our calmest roo, the one we planned on keeping. I really don't want to lose him.

 

[thebritt]

I'm not a big fan of random antibiotic use, but in the case of a wild animal bite, I'd suggest trying to get a hold of some amoxicillin. Sounds like everything you've done up to this point is spot on. Keep checking for infection - hot tissue, swelling, pus. That's where the Amoxi would be a good thing - as a preventitive if it's not infected already. By his behavior (depression, not eating), and the fact that he's past the shocky stage (since the attack happened 3 days ago), seems like that would be the route to take. If Amoxi is not available, you could just remain diligent in keeping the wound clean. Please don't bother with Terramycin - it's not appropriate in this case and won't help. Good luck.

 

[princessmama]

Feed store or vet?


Thanks

 

[mypicklebird]

To give him the best chance- he needs systemic antibiotics. You can get something appropriate from a vet, or as the other poster said, try to get amoxi or similar. Penicillin would be better than nothing. Tetracyclines, I agree are not helpful for this. Pain meds would also be appropriate. He looks like he has been bitten in the area of his hock joint. If you intend to keep him as a functional rooster- he needs to be able to use this leg fairly normally to mount, balance and mate. Get appropriate systemic (oral or injectable) antibiotics- bite wounds are punctures, topically cleaning and applying creams will not get into the deep tissues- bone and joint. If he gets infection in his joint and it is not stopped early before destruction occurs, he will not be able to use the leg well ever.

 

[princessmama]

Yes, and the worst wound is right on the joint. I will see what I can get hold of today. Thanks for the replies.

 

[CMV]

I would recommend you stop using peroxide and switch to betadine tea (1 part betadine to 9 parts water). Peroxide is good for the initial cleaning, but it actually inhibits healing by destroying fragile, newly formed skin cells. Just my 2 cents.
Sorry about your boy.

 

[princessmama]

Quote:
Thanks, I will do that. On my way out the door now.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
Unfortunately - vet. But it's really inexpensive (under $10). It's just a matter of a vet giving it to you w/out actually seeing the bird. Hopefully, your description of the situation will be enough. With some vets it is, with others....

 

[princessmama]

I've been reading up a bit on using grapefruit seed extract as an antibiotic alternative for pets. Anyone tried it?

 

[MikasGirl]

It looks infected so I would give maybe terramycin?? Or some antibiotic. Good luck to you and your boy!!