severe wing injury help

[skyjoshin]

Hi all. Well, we caught a skunk in a live trap the other day. Not much fun, but that's a story for.another day. In the days and weeks leading up to his capture, we lost six chickens (our flock is pretty young, 4-6 weeks are the oldest) then, after we taught them to roost in the boxes, the only prey it could get to was our ducks (about the same but about twice as big) it grabbed one and left a few pokes on her neck, but it chewed the end of her wing up really bad. We cleaned it with iodine and bandaged it. Not sure if the end is going to die. It's now a few days later and the end looks pretty dried and black, like jerky. With a soft spot. The middle of the injured part, looks jerkyish on the outside, but is fleshy underneath. It cracked a bit when we took the bandage off and is bleeding some. So, I think that's a good sign. Anyway, here's a couple pics. I don't know if there are any veterinarians around on the forums here, or if somebody could point me to a good resource for information. We absolutely don't have money to pay for a vet for her. Whatever needs to be done, amputations or otherwise, is all me. So, any advice or anything you can offer is greatly appreciated. I just want to do everything in our power for her, and don't want her to end up dying of some massive infection. So far, there's no bad smell or slimy goop or pus or any sign of infection. It just looks like the end is dying off and the rest is scabbard over. We will rinse with iodine again and bandage her back up for now. She seems to be improving as far as being active and eating and drinking and such. I think she will recover, I'm just thinking I might have to clip the end off. It's looking dead from right about the last joint down, so I think it's something I can handle if it comes to that. Thanks in advance and wish us luck. Lol

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Spray blue kote on it. You can get that at your local TSC. Also spray saline wound wash. Hope the poor thing gets better!!!

 

[ChickenyChickeny]

Spray blue kote on it. You can get that at your local TSC. Also spray saline wound wash. Hope the poor thing gets better!!!

blue kote is a good idea.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

blue kote is a good idea.

We used it on our ducks when they were attacked by a hawk. It stained one of our ducks bills but I don’t care since it saved there life

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I’m wondering how much of that is skin and flesh and how much could be dirt and blood. Can you wash it and see what comes off? Even dead skin can be removed and you can see what you’re really dealing with.

 

[EdnaAndEdith]

From what I understand blue kote is pretty ineffective. I’m glad to hear of some people’s success but I’ve had vets tell me all it does is dye them blue. If you haven’t already gotten antibiotics from the feed store I would do that ASAP. Some states don’t let you buy antibiotics OTC though but it’s worth a visit or a phone call. Also I would warm soak that wound in water (if it were a dog I’d add Epsom salts to the water but I don’t know if that’s safe for chickens so maybe someone else knows that) as warm as you can stand to put your hand in at least twice daily 15 minutes each session to try to losen some of that up and after soaking GENTLY try to get some of the thick crusting off to get back to pink, fleshy looking skin. Also cut the feathers around it so they aren’t matting down into the wound. Do not just cut it off. That would be immensely painful if no anesthesia were used. But with proper wound care it’s possible you could help her keep trying. And keep a close eye for infection.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Epsom salt soak is good. I do believe it’s a laxative for ducks though so don’t them drink it.

 

[EdnaAndEdith]

It’s a laxative for other creatures too so not surprised for ducks and most likely chickens. Good advice.

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

Use the blue cote and put it on antibiotics and a Epson soak with betadine. Make sure the Epson soak is pretty warm but not hot. After that Blu Cote the wing. It should survive.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

From what I understand blue kote is pretty ineffective. I’m glad to hear of some people’s success but I’ve had vets tell me all it does is dye them blue. If you haven’t already gotten antibiotics from the feed store I would do that ASAP. Some states don’t let you buy antibiotics OTC though but it’s worth a visit or a phone call. Also I would warm soak that wound in water (if it were a dog I’d add Epsom salts to the water but I don’t know if that’s safe for chickens so maybe someone else knows that) as warm as you can stand to put your hand in at least twice daily 15 minutes each session to try to losen some of that up and after soaking GENTLY try to get some of the thick crusting off to get back to pink, fleshy looking skin. Also cut the feathers around it so they aren’t matting down into the wound. Do not just cut it off. That would be immensely painful if no anesthesia were used. But with proper wound care it’s possible you could help her keep trying. And keep a close eye for infection.

Oh well blue kote worked for me!