Urgent: post-amputation care, advice needed/I thought I would spend my Saturday doing this...

[darlingdarla]

Just for comparison, this is what her leg looked like just over a week ago vs yesterday and today-
October 17th

October 26th

October 27th

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think it's looking a little better.

If that fluid did have a bad odor, you would have noticed without having to smell it closely!

 

[darlingdarla]

I think it's looking a little better.

If that fluid did have a bad odor, you would have noticed without having to smell it closely!

Okay then no smell. One thing I am noticing is that the necrotic tip is starting to shrink and the skin around it is swelling, like in other cases of auto amputation I've read about.

I'll update again in a few days, thanks everybody!

 

[darlingdarla]

I removed her bandage tonight. I just want to note that the swelling directly around the necrotic tip has increased. I am thinking it's going to break off over the next few days. I thought she would lose her leg at the knee, and she may, but I think the end is going to break off first.
The pressure sore also looks much better after just one night in the bandage. I may try to wrap only that spot for a few days and see how it does, I think it just needs some extra padding.

 

[darlingdarla]

November 3rd update:
I'd love some thoughts on the photos if someone could chime in.
My girl is doing pretty well, the leg is oozing less now that I've started wrapping it again. I removed the scabs covering the blisters as they were trapping a lot of debris and she improved the following day. There was a day I was sure she was in trouble where the liquid turned yellow, but that was gone the next day after I started wrapping her knee. I wrap her very loosely, just enough to keep the "pressure sore" and the break protected. The stump is still exposed and the tip looks to be detaching, as well as all of the necrotic skin. It's very interesting, I'm starting to wonder if she will keep part of the leg below the knee.
Thanks everybody!

The inside of the leg-

the tip-

the pressure sore (which got worse, but is looking better now that I am wrapping it as @Wyorp Rock suggested)

and the outside of her leg-

 

[aart]

Is she still eating/drinking/pooping well?

How is her movement, putting that stump down at all?

 

[darlingdarla]

Is she still eating/drinking/pooping well?

How is her movement, putting that stump down at all?

Yes to all,

And yes her leg is much more flexible and she touches it down to walk around her coop. I am wondering if it is time to let her out a bit under supervision with the bantams. She is still very careful, but definitely in less pain.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I think you are correct Rosie will lose the tip first since you are seeing increased swelling. Viewed from inside of leg, there is a very clear line of demarcation between necrotic tissue on top of shank, and living healthy pink tissue in the middle. I agree with you she may keep part of her leg below the hock, since the pink tissue in middle of shank appears alive and healthy.

And then from photo of outside of leg, is tissue from blackened tip to just below the pressure sore necrotic too? (I cant tell if the darker color is necrosis or simply her original shank color since she is an Easter egger). The auto-amputation process may take a while longer, due to the complicated "uneven-ness" of the necrotic vs. healthy tissue on her entire shank. I know you mentioned at least once in this thread you tend to be impatient by nature. I think after Rosie's auto-amputation and healing process is complete, you will have exhibited more patience than you ever thought you had in you.. Yes the auto-amputation process is very interesting, but sadly signifies a severe injury and eventual loss.

Next time you post, include a picture of her pretty Easter egger face too. (Or is molting?) A photo of Rosie's cute cheeky face is a good reminder that the reason you are enduring this lengthy process is because Rosie has a warrior fighting spirit that will remain intact long after the dead tissue is gone. And that is true of you too!

 

[darlingdarla]

I think you are correct Rosie will lose the tip first since you are seeing increased swelling. Viewed from inside of leg, there is a very clear line of demarcation between necrotic tissue on top of shank, and living healthy pink tissue in the middle. I agree with you she may keep part of her leg below the hock, since the pink tissue in middle of shank appears alive and healthy.

And then from photo of outside of leg, is tissue from blackened tip to just below the pressure sore necrotic too? (I cant tell if the darker color is necrosis or simply her original shank color since she is an Easter egger). The auto-amputation process may take a while longer, due to the complicated "uneven-ness" of the necrotic vs. healthy tissue on her entire shank. I know you mentioned at least once in this thread you tend to be impatient by nature. I think after Rosie's auto-amputation and healing process is complete, you will have exhibited more patience than you ever thought you had in you.. Yes the auto-amputation process is very interesting, but sadly signifies a severe injury and eventual loss.

Next time you post, include a picture of her pretty Easter egger face too. (Or is molting?) A photo of Rosie's cute cheeky face is a good reminder that the reason you are enduring this lengthy process is because Rosie has a warrior fighting spirit that will remain intact long after the dead tissue is gone. And that is true of you too!

I am definitely committed to waiting lol, she's shown she wants to live and that's good enough for me, even though I'm wanting to tear my hair out waiting.

So I can't tell if the coloring of the "healthy" part of her leg is normal. Her legs were green to begin with, but I'm keeping an eye on it.

I'll make sure to post a pic of her goofy chicken scowl next time lol
Question: should I snip off any detached necrotic tissue like I I at the main break?

 

[darlingdarla]

Okay, new complication, some insight would be appreciated...
Part of her pressure sore scab pulled off while changing her bandage and with it came yellowish gunk like the plug in a bumblefoot infection. At the end of the gunk was a black "plug" type situation.
I don't know what to make of this, is it infection or just dead tissue? It left quite a hole behind her knee, I irritated it with peroxide and filled with veterycin as I am out of antibiotic ointment. I wrapped her whole leg except for the tip.
It took almost no effort for it to come out, I didn't mean to pull the scab off, it wasn't even stuck to the wrap it just came off.
So what is the verdict? Antibiotics again? Or continuing course of treatment?

this is the leg with the plug still partially attached-

this is the leg cleaned out-

these are the plugs-

and her lovely smile-