Tongue Amputation

[lleighmay]

This evening I checked my juveniles (about 12 wks old) and found that one of my Speckled Sussex pullets (ok, maybe I'm deluding myself b/c I think he may be a cockerel but I'm hoping for precocious pullet.....regardless, he can stay) had found a lightweight string (possibly from a feed sack) and managed to get it wrapped around the last 1/4-1/2 inch of its tongue and its feet. It was obvious it had been that way most of the day while I was off working and taking care of business; the tongue was dry, swollen, dark brown, and I actually thought it was a broken beak until closer examination. The tongue was hanging by a thread. I tried to untangle the thread but it was well knotted and I knew the tip of the tongue wouldn't survive even if I did manage to get it loose so I opted to surgically remove the strangled part. As soon as it was done he/she ate and drank heartily and appears to be acting normally. I will pick up antibiotics tomorrow morning first thing but are there any topical remedies I can/should apply tonight? I didn't want to put anything in his mouth without advice for fear of poisoning him/her inadvertently. Thanks in advance for your help= Leigh

 

[miss_thenorth]

Wow, that's quite a story! I'm glad (s)he's ok. Hopefull someone else will come along who can help.

 

[PurpleChicken]

I'd isolate the bird and make sure it has extremely clean water.
You can add some garlic and apple cider vinegar to it also. It may
kill off bacteria.

Unless the bird's tongue gets infected I'd wait on an antibiotic.
Chickens are resilient creatures.

Some vitamins in the water can't hurt either.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
If you give antibiotics (I don't know that I'd recommend it) they must be the right ones. Ones from the feedstore will not be. Penicillin, amoxicillin, or Baytril from the vet are for wounds. Terramycin, tetracycline, etc are not. (Nevermind what The Feed Store Guy says.) Just a heads-up. I'd just try to keep the area very clean as Purple is saying. Antibiotics will also effect the GOOD bacteria that you need to stay healthy in the gut.

I have to say - that sure sounds like it hurt! Wow.

Let us know how it goes, will you please?

Did I mention "wow" yet? /shiver

 

[lleighmay]

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone. I'm going to take your advice and skip the antibiotics for now since I prefer not to give them to any of my creatures unless necessary. I've now got him separated with one other pullet for company and I'm going the ACV and garlic route unless he takes a turn for the worse. I worked last night and feared the worst but he was up running around and begging for breakfast when I got home this morning. I managed to catch him and pry his beak open (he did not take kindly to this procedure) and so far everything looks good (painful, but good). Here's hoping everything continues to go well!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[lleighmay]

UPDATE- s/he's been running around, eating and drinking normally, begging for treats, and not acting the least bit affected by what could have been a fatal situation. All I can figure is that the wrapped thread basically acted like a tourniquet and the end piece was already dead when I decided to snip it the rest of the way off. In retrospect there wasn't even any blood when I did that. I've captured her/him several times each day and rudely inspected the injury; there's no sign of infection or even mild inflammation at all. I'm planning to keep him isolated (with his companion) and on ACV and garlic water at least through the weekend but if he continues on this course he can (hopefully) go back to his peeps next week. Thank you all for the excellent advice- s/he's one of my favorites and I'm so happy everything seems to be turning out alright.

 

[threehorses]

Good news, that!! Amazing, but they really can be resilient IF they decide they're going to live. And with your great care of course.