Sour Crop/Impacted Crop - Graphic Pic- what I took out of it and how

[chickenwhisperer]

Quote:
This sums up the entire problem!
Im glad you were able to remove the blockage, most folks wouldnt be able to do it.

Grass is one of the best foods for a chicken, they should get some.
What my friend does, is when the mower bag is full she empties it on the ground, kinda spread out a bit, then goes back over it with the mower on the lowest height setting, this really mulches it up and cuts it all to smaller pieces.

It happens, but I dont think you should stop feeding them grass.

I know a crop blockage is before the gizzard, but grit is still very important, make sure they have it!

Good job, Dr!

As a side-note about internal infections . . .
I had a cornishx that was attcked by my dog at about 3 weks old, and it survived.
However, it had a puncture wound around the thigh/hip area, and after a few days the hole shut but the chicken literally filled up with air like a balloon!
I simply "popped" the chicken in 3 spots, and it finally deflated down to where I could see and feel the body, the air that came out was sooooo foul I almost threw up(I gotta purty strong stomach).
Dunno whether it was an infection or not, but the chicken was perfectly fine afterwards, made it to 10 weeks, and tasted great when I ate it.
I gave it NO meds, and didnt isolate it or anything, just popped it and put it back with the rest.

 

[Slater1995]

Wednesday 6.30.10 - Update from Yesterday Evening.

I went home last night and checked on her. I took off the bandage and checked the incision. It is not looking as good as I would like it to. The super glue is not holding well. I picked off the flaky stuff and cleaned the area a little. Then it happened, she squirmed and the nail of her foot caught the incision and she tore it open. UUUGGGG. I worked so hard to get that closed.

Oh well, so now I just get to get a look at how the inside is looking. Turns out that the corner of the incision that i closed up was open just a hair and it looked a little red and swollen so I guess this was a good thing.

I cleaned out the area really good and I put a little more glue on the crop. I put as much antiobiotic and would fit under the skin on the crop and then i just pulled the skin over. I did not close the skin up. I just covered it really good with a topper spounge and put more vet wrap on her. I want to keep an eye on the crop and see how it is healing. Once I am happy with it, then I will close up the skin n the outside.

THere was a bit of discoloring in the tissue around the crop and I don't like the looks of it. I ordered some antiobiotic from First State Vet. I got Doxycycline 50 mg Capsules and Penicillin 250 mg Tablets. I am hoping that one of these will do the trick.

Anyone have any suggestions on which to use?

Just a note on the side. Angel is acting just fine, she is drinking really well and will eat anything that I let her eat. I can't give her to much because of the incision in the crop. I gave her some yoguart sprinkled with really fine feed last night. She really liked that and she shook the yoguart all over me.

She doesn't act like anything is wrong at all. That at least makes me feel better.

 

[jjthinkagain]

While she is on restricted food, you might give her 3 drops Polyvisol Enfamil (liquid children's vitamins) daily, or Avia Charge 2000 in her water daily (something I do everyday).
I hope she'll be okay!

JJ (aka jjthink also)

 

[Karen_at_LittleBrook]

WOW- I have to echo everyone elses thoughts that you were very brave for attempting such a thing!!! I would be terrified to do it and I have tons of medical background! I know that they have a surgical skin adhesive that Doc's use in minor skin surgeries.... I dont know if its avail to the general public anywhere but it worked great on humans!

 

[SparksNV]

Wow Slater - great job!!

The only thing I thought of when reading your original posting is that I wouldn't have closed the wound. I am an RN and typically if there is a wound with an infection - it is debrided and irrigated and sometimes left open (not closed with sutures, staples, etc.) but covered with a dressing that is removable. You did the debridement and irrigation but may need to repeat the irrigation until you are sure there is no infection. Most wounds heal from the inside out. The systemic antibiotics is probably a good idea as is the topical.

I do have to say that I don't own any chickens yet - I am going to my "Chickens 101" class tonight - and I am just thinking from a human wound point of view.

Sounds like she is doing well if she is looking for food! I also think the extra vitamins and electrolytes, while on a restricted diet, may not be a bad idea. I think alot of animals will limit their activities and food until feeling better.

Keep us updated!

 

[Slater1995]

Quote:
Thanks for the advise about closing, I decided last night after I cleaned it again not to close the outer incision so that I could keep an eye on the crop and make sure it was healing. I just got finished cleaning it again this evening. The crop incision had opened up again, but it seems that the incision is getting a little smaller so it is healing. What is hard is that the closure keeps opening up when she is eating or drinking because some of the food and liquid is leaking out. I stoped by my medical supply store this evening looking for that special glue that the doctors use, but they did not carry it. They said to try liquid bandaid, but after reading it, I decided against it as it suggests removing it one the area is healed and it is not for closing deep wounds only for covering minor cuts and scrapes. So I bought some name brand Krazy glue. this one comes out one drop at a time and so I can seal the opening one drop at a time. So, slowly I closed it back up, put lots more neosporin on it, dabbed some blue kote around it covered it with a sterile pad and wrapped her in more vet wrap. She is such a good little patient. She has been eating and drinking the entire time. She was picking up her food dish and throwing it when I came home because she wanted more food. I told her that she can't have much, but she doesn't understand. she doesn't seem to have a fever, and the little green tint I saw last night is gone tonight. Ther swelling is looking better and the redness is almost gone.

Keep sending those get well vibes her way. She really appreciates it and so do it.

Thanks,
Teresa

 

[SC_Hugh]

Here is what my wife and I did the first time: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=312272

Now, another one of our Dominiques has a huge crop. Surgery needed soon, the smell isn't going to be easy. I like your idea of the horizontal incision on the crop.

We plan to superglue the crop incision like last time, but use dental floss on the outer skin.

--Hugh