Severe flystrike, urgent!

[jonalisa]

Ok here's a video... Looks clear on my phone but uploaded to YouTube and it looks like it was filmed with a potato.
Note that everything looks moist because it is covered in Neosporin.
Flystrike

 

[jonalisa]

Well my photos are not sharp because I'm shaky, but I'll upload a few and then a video that is easier to see. I let her out today in a small area. My husband then let the chickens out while I was out, because, well, husbands.
Nothing happened. So he feels justified that he is Master of the Chickens.

First pic is the top scab above the vent. Other pics are below that..

 

[Eggcessive]

Does it seem to be healing? Is it draining any in the lower part? Her skin looks pink and healthy around the area. So glad that she wasn’t harmed by the others while you were gone.

 

[jonalisa]

It does seem to be healing, and it's not draining...however, it stays sticky with the Neosporin. Wonder if I should switch to something that will let it dry out? Hydrogen Peroxide, maybe? Or just Veterycin?

 

[Eggcessive]

Peroxide will prevent healing and damage tissue with repeated use. I would continue the Neosporin for a bit longer, especially if she is with the others. Most wounds need to be kept moist until they are healing. But you could try just the Vetericyn if you like.

 

[ElizaMay]

It seems to me that fly maggots appear on damaged/open wounds. Then, there are some types of fly maggots that eat only dead/necrotic tissue and bacteria, and once that is gone they stop feeding and drop off. Sterile maggots are actually used by burn wards to remove dead tissue for that reason - they don't harm healthy tissue. Now there are also other types of flies whose larvae eat living tissue, like sheep maggots and head maggots.
All around, it's pretty disturbing.
I suspect your hen might have had open skin on her hiney, possibly from runny poopy butt damaging it - it might be a good idea to butt-check the rest of the cluck gang.

 

[jonalisa]

It seems to me that fly maggots appear on damaged/open wounds. Then, there are some types of fly maggots that eat only dead/necrotic tissue and bacteria, and once that is gone they stop feeding and drop off. Sterile maggots are actually used by burn wards to remove dead tissue for that reason - they don't harm healthy tissue. Now there are also other types of flies whose larvae eat living tissue, like sheep maggots and head maggots.
All around, it's pretty disturbing.
I suspect your hen might have had open skin on her hiney, possibly from runny poopy butt damaging it - it might be a good idea to butt-check the rest of the cluck gang.

Will do it today
Thanks!

 

[jonalisa]

Peroxide will prevent healing and damage tissue with repeated use. I would continue the Neosporin for a bit longer, especially if she is with the others. Most wounds need to be kept moist until they are healing. But you could try just the Vetericyn if you like.

She was with the others for a while outside...that day. But she is still in a crate in the house. I'll finish the Neosporin and let her out with the flock and see how she does.

 

[Eggcessive]

BluKote might be helpful if they are attracted to her wound. It can be applied under or over the Neosporin, and it dyes anything dark blue. That includes your hands and clothing, so beware. It is a disinfectant and antifungal as well.

 

[Eggcessive]

@jonalisa how is your hen doing? Is the skin under her vent looking any better?