Vent Gleet untreated?

[Twolf]

I am unable to get a photo until later today, however I have a chicken that is over a year old this past march. She was missing from the coop one night about 2 weeks ago. I looked for her night and day and then realized she would come out on her terms, not sure where she is hiding. But I realized something wasn't right and it appeared she had vent gleet, something I am pretty unfamiliar with. So yesterday I grabbed her while i could, she was very underweight, and wet from rain. Then I discovered she has what appears to be an open wound that had dried up and is crusty. I tried not to fiddle with it too much, but could this be from vent gleet untreated? or do you think something got a hold of her? I have left it alone thus far and just found treatment for vent gleet. but any extra info or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

A picture of her cleaned vent area would be helpful. It sounds like she may have a prolapsed vent, or was attacked around her vent by a predator. A prolapse can occur from straining, genetics, or from having a too large egg stuck. With a prolapse, it is best to lubricate the tissue and push it back inside as soon as possible, since the tissue can dry out and become necrotic. If you think that is the problem, apply some honey, sugar, or Preparation H cream to the tissue to help reduce swelling. Below is what a prolapse looks like:

photo by armorfirelady

 

[Twolf]

nope she has nothing like this, I will take a picture when i get home. The wound/injury is to the left of her vent, and i can't really explain it. I will get a picture to post after work, a couple hours. Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds as though a predator may have attacked her. Clean the wound with water and betadine, Hibiclens, or peroxide. Dry it and apply a plain antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin twice a day. Keep her away from flies, as they can infest wounds with maggots.

 

[Twolf]

So I have this photo. It's really hard to see. She does smell a bit I am going to try to soak her. It is really crusty and dark. I don't know how she is surviving.

 

[Twolf]

So today I got a better look at her wound. Something clearly tried to eat her. She has a huge open wound and it smells, I can almost see inside her and flesh. I think the best thing to do is put her down. I don't want to but we can't afford to have her stitched up. I think it won't heal and part of it is dead and part isn't. You wouldn't know looking at her. She's eating and drinking again and looks clean.

 

[Twolf]

Would you wait it out see if it heals or put her down

 

[enola]

I would clean the wound, getting all the dried crusty stuff off. If she stinks, she is infected. Pm casportpony and ask her what antibiotic to get from your local feed store to treat any infections. Chickens can recover from horrific injuries. Keep her somewhere away from flies. Fly strike can kill her.

 

[Twolf]

Ok. It is a huge wound! But I'll give it a shot it hurts so bad when I touch it she clearly hurts.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you can soak her vent area once a day in betadine or epsom salts, it would clean her off. If you see anything coming out of the wound that could be maggots, you must get them all out. Apply the antibiotic ointment twice a day. If you have a regular vet, they might prescribe a good antibiotic for her. They have stronger ones than feed stores. Let us know how she is doing. Try to get her to eat some eggs, and you can also put water into her dry feed to make it more appealing.