URGENT baby chick scalped, how to treat

[ozarkchickens]

I have a 5 week old Ancona that got out of the baby chick pen in with the hens, they scalped her. Removed all feathers and skin on top/back of her head. Massive open wound has been cleaned out with sterile water and sprayed with vetericyn, she's sleeping in a towel on a heating pad. If she survives I assume she'll need antibiotics? Specific advice please on how to best help her, what antibiotics and how to administer? TIA

 

[Farm life101]

I would definitely give her electrolyte water to start. Then put some antibiotic cream (WITHOUT PAIN RELIEVERS IN IT) on the affected area and if possible wrap it up with bandages for a week, replacing badagind daily. She should be fine with just that but if for some reason thats not enough you can always try a simple antibiotic like penicillin but that is something you have to inject. Could you get pictures of the wound?

 

[ozarkchickens]

I have a 5 week old Ancona that got out of the baby chick pen in with the hens, they scalped her. Removed all feathers and skin on top/back of her head. Massive open wound has been cleaned out with sterile water and sprayed with vetericyn, she's sleeping in a towel on a heating pad. If she survives I assume she'll need antibiotics? Specific advice please on how to best help her, what antibiotics and how to administer? TIA

 

[ozarkchickens]

I would definitely give her electrolyte water to start. Then put some antibiotic cream (WITHOUT PAIN RELIEVERS IN IT) on the affected area and if possible wrap it up with bandages for a week, replacing badagind daily. She should be fine with just that but if for some reason thats not enough you can always try a simple antibiotic like penicillin but that is something you have to inject. Could you get pictures of the wound?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a 5 week old Ancona that got out of the baby chick pen in with the hens, they scalped her. Removed all feathers and skin on top/back of her head. Massive open wound has been cleaned out with sterile water and sprayed with vetericyn, she's sleeping in a towel on a heating pad. If she survives I assume she'll need antibiotics? Specific advice please on how to best help her, what antibiotics and how to administer? TIA

How is she doing?
It sounds like you did the right thing - flushing the wound well and applying Vetericyn. I would spray the wound a couple of times a day to help keep it moist. You can also use triple antibiotic ointment.
I would not wrap the wound, just keep her in a clean, dry place free of flies.

She may or may not need antibiotics - if you notice pus or a bad odor, then try stepping up the cleaning with hibiclens or betadine for a few days (still use the Vetericyn and/or triple antibiotic ointment too).
If you absolutely feel like she needs antibiotics, then I would use Amoxicillin. You can order those online through pet supplies like Revival Animal Health.

Keep her hydrated and eating. I would also give her poultry vitamins for a couple of days to give her a boost.

 

[ozarkchickens]

How is she doing?
It sounds like you did the right thing - flushing the wound well and applying Vetericyn. I would spray the wound a couple of times a day to help keep it moist. You can also use triple antibiotic ointment.
I would not wrap the wound, just keep her in a clean, dry place free of flies.

She may or may not need antibiotics - if you notice pus or a bad odor, then try stepping up the cleaning with hibiclens or betadine for a few days (still use the Vetericyn and/or triple antibiotic ointment too).
If you absolutely feel like she needs antibiotics, then I would use Amoxicillin. You can order those online through pet supplies like Revival Animal Health.

Keep her hydrated and eating. I would also give her poultry vitamins for a couple of days to give her a boost.

Thanks for the additional info. Very pleased to say she's eating, drinking and moving a bit, in a crate inside the house. If I need to use Betadine, do you pour it over the wound, or maybe use a syringe, or cotton swabs?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the additional info. Very pleased to say she's eating, drinking and moving a bit, in a crate inside the house. If I need to use Betadine, do you pour it over the wound, or maybe use a syringe, or cotton swabs?

Any method is fine - what you find easiest - I like using a syringe since I can get the liquid to go where I want.
Glad to hear she's eating/drinking and moving a little!