UPDATED serious flystrike

[AntiqueB]

I'm so glad to hear this! Consistency and patience is definitely key. Your girl is so lucky to have you to help her through this!

 

[Eggcessive]

So glad that the maggots are hopefully gone. You really are handling this very well. I’m not sure that I could do as well. Many people such as myself may have an extra large wire crate they are not using, and would let you borrow it. Folding puppy pens are another option. Hoping she gets stronger with each day.

 

[anomala]

We never would have made it this far without your help and expertise, and all the other invaluable information you have built up on this platform.

I don't have a lot of colloidal silver experience, but recently it has worked magic topically on our 11 yo heelers allergy related hot spots we couldn't get to heal with anything else (including RX) so hoping it might give her an edge fighting any secondary infections that could arise from this wound.

Fly strike is definitely a thing of nightmares. I'm squeamish about pulling out an embedded tick on a dog, this was next level x1000. It took a couple of days for me to completely get my head around this, and be able to really, truly look up close and investigate every gory detail of what was going on. Hindsight 20/20, and for anyone reading this thread for help for their baby, the best thing I could have done that I didn't was a long 20+ min soak the minute I found something wrong (really the best thing would have been investigating the minute she was acting a little off). I gave her a soak and a clean up, but I think with the discovery of the horror I didn't actually soak her as long as I thought, and only dislodged a couple. The next morning I set a timer and got in a full 30 min, and that was when I dislodged what was by far the majority, probably upwards of 30 or 40, mostly between the 15-20 min mark. That 18 or so hrs, between the first short soak and the second productive one, probably resulted in a lot of extra damage that didn't have to happen (particularly probably the under skin parts of the wound). I know better now for next time, but I also know I NEVER want any of my chickens to deal with this again so I am also going to be a lot more aware/ vigilant in the future.

 

[anomala]

Thank you Bsmac, I'll let her know she is pretty.

I'm fairly far from most folks I know that might have a crate to borrow, and I feel like she's going to have to be confined for a while. But I have plenty of scrap wood, some wire and tools so going to try to bang together an enclosure this afternoon. And I'll post a pic when she's in her new digs.

 

[Bsmac]

Thank you Bsmac, I'll let her know she is pretty.

I'm fairly far from most folks I know that might have a crate to borrow, and I feel like she's going to have to be confined for a while. But I have plenty of scrap wood, some wire and tools so going to try to bang together an enclosure this afternoon. And I'll post a pic when she's in her new digs.

That would be great! That is what I used to do, rig up a cage for them. I had a little extra cash one day while in TSC and I bought a great wire carrier with a plastic tray. It works great! But cost me 65.00 if I remember correctly! I hope she continues to heal! Have a great day!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

You have done an amazing job with this lady! And she seems to be a model patient! I look forward to seeing her fully recover!

 

[coach723]

If you do yard sales, keep your eyes open for dog crates. Even small cat crates can be useful to have on hand. I have a small cat crate that I often use for brooder raised chicks, to transport back and forth when they are getting used to outside. I have picked up several large dog crates over the years, never knew I'd have so many! But they come in really useful and sometimes I have multiple ones set up. Seems like when it rains it pours. Between broodies, injuries, illness, etc. they are so good to have. And the wire ones fold up pretty decent when you aren't using them, for storage. I have one of the older plastic airline crates for a large dog, and I use that one constantly as it provides a bit more shelter from elements. I've got two old, blind hens that live in their own run and use it as a sleeping coop at night, right next to the door into the big coop, so they still hear everybody else. I've gotten them much more reasonable $$ at yard sales.

 

[anomala]

Another success, 30 min soak today and again no maggots, so feeling we might be on the winning side of that part for sure. I'm probably going to keep up a daily epsom salt soak with a squirt of Hibiclens for a little while longer, but shorten to 15 min for the sake of both of us now we are not trying to drive out maggots. At least until the wound starts showing positive progress. I feel like it may help with the swelling around the area and to help slough off the necrotic tissue.

She still has a long way to heal, and still not sure how that wound is going to be able to close, but she has absolutely been a great patient and we will keep on. It feels a lot better that she has seemed to be feeling well, and eating and drinking. I would have struggled a lot more if she was not. This one is definitely a hair in a biscuit.

I've been meaning to get a large wire cage for a while, just never did and we have been really lucky so far in terms of no injuries and minimal health emergencies to deal with, minus this one. But I know its probably a very good thing to have on hand. I'm thinking she's going to be confined a while still to heal, and I've never had to do this with an adult, but is it recommended to offer grit? And if so, what size for an adult?

 

[coach723]

Yes, grit should be available. For chicks you use chick grit, for adults you use standard poultry grit. Should be available wherever you buy feed. If she's on feed only, then grit is less of an issue, if she's eating anything else, she needs to have it. Their gizzards can't grind up food without it. I offer it always, so it's there if they need it. They will take what they need, they know.