Terrible head injury - is there any hope? (WARNING: GRAPHIC/SAD PHOTOS)

[boskelli1571]

Keep up the good work! One problem at a time, get her back to normal and then try to assess her other issues. Sounds like you're doing a great job!! Keep us posted, Sue

 

[sevenbabychicks]

Thanks! And nope, she's not laying eggs right now. The reason why she was attacked was that she had disappeared to sit on eggs outside the pen/coop. I actually thought something had taken her awhile ago, then found her on the nest last week. I should've moved her in when I found her, but thought "hey, she's made it out her this long, what's another week?" Whoops.

 

[Mr Gamecock]

Well that stinks

 

[3chickchicks]

OK - the betadine thing. Everybody seems to love slathering it on a wound. Around the wound is fine, but research shows that it really doesn't promote healing and in fact can damage tissue. This research has been done with humans, but I don't think it would be different for animals/birds. As far as cleaning out the wound, gentle soap & warm water will do fine followed by antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin as already suggested.

It's good to clean it once with betadine but yes, afterwards you may be doing more harm than good.
Studies are also coming out that irrigating with copious amounts of water (even tap water) do a better job than irrigating with a smaller amount of saline with pressure.

She's still alive! I cleaned and lightly bandaged the area (sans betadine - thanks, boskelli

), and she seems a little better - standing up, and accepting liquids more readily (still going the syringe route).

I am worried there are more serious issues. Her lower bill seems a little misaligned, and I opened the eyelid on the "good" side of her head to find the eyeball sorta sunken and covered by a layer of pus or something. Too scared to try the eye on the bad side. Maybe the raccoon squeezed her head in its jaws and she has structural/neurological damage? I'll be super sad if she pulls through only to be blind, deaf, or brain damaged. But right now, I'm focusing on keeping her alive - and her eggs, too. Three are wiggling when I test them in water!

She needs to have some antibiotics on board. Mouths are full of germs. I hope she gets better!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I think once or twice with betadine is okay especially early on if you are suspect for dirt or germs remaining from the initial assault. Any type of wound cleanser will remove healthy granulating tissue if over used later in the healing process-- especially Hydrogen peroxide. I'm a fan of good old soap and water too --but always follow up with antibiotic ointment it will protect the new tissue coming in and wounds seem to heal faster with it. It's also soothing.

What a tough bird. I hope her damage isn't more, as you are suspecting with deeper problems. Ohhh...poor little bird. Just wanted to have herself some baby chicks is all. Poor Momma.

 

[sevenbabychicks]

Update: She's still with us! Sort of. She's now able to stand up (and move away from her poop when she defecates), and is taking an oatmeal/yolk mixture if I feed her by hand. She's gotten a lot of strength back, and actively resists when I open her beak to feed her. But she still won't open her eyes or respond to sound, and she twitches her head when resting but not asleep.

But bad news: I don't think I was able to keep her eggs alive Had a heating pad over them, and monitored the temp and humidity, but today the last one stopped moving when I tested them in water. I'll keep them under the pad for one more day before throwing the rest out. So sad; they were only a few days away from hatching.

 

[abcr]

Oh poor girl dont give up hope i will pray for you and your chicken i really wish chickens could have a protective bubble round them i would let her open her eyes in time just in case it gets worse

raccoons

Im a real softie for animals

 

[KWSRetMSgt]

Hey everyone,

I need some of the EXPERT advise.

I discovered this morning, that one of my steady layers has a Black spot on her (I think it's called) waddle. I rubbed my finger over it and it didn't rub off, it also felt as if it had a bump in the middle of it. I haven't searched on line yet but was hoping for some of the Expert advise given on the site first. The pictures aren't great but hopefully someone can guess what it maybe.


Thanks KWS

 

[bugglesmommy]

Hey everyone,

I need some of the EXPERT advise.

I discovered this morning, that one of my steady layers has a Black spot on her (I think it's called) waddle. I rubbed my finger over it and it didn't rub off, it also felt as if it had a bump in the middle of it. I haven't searched on line yet but was hoping for some of the Expert advise given on the site first. The pictures aren't great but hopefully someone can guess what it maybe.


Thanks KWS

I'm not sure but you will likely find better advice if you start your own thread. I don't mean to give you a hard time, but hijacking this thread won't help you or the OP.

 

[Mr Gamecock]

It could be incrusted mud from the pictures and try to scrub it really well?