Warning this is gross but need some help.

[packmomma]

My friend found her dog with a chicken in its mouth. She took it away and asked if I wanted it. She said its missing some feather on its back. I get there about 3 hours later when I can and the whole back of it had its skin ripped off and it was crusted over and looked fairly good. Tail feathers missing..didnt look too bad but was worried about the skin missing and infection but I took it anyway. When I got home and took her out, I noticed that right at the top of her back between her "shoulders" there was a chunk of skin with baby maggots in it. I freaked out, it was grey and lots of movement. I didnt have internet at that time so I asked my neighbor to look up what to do. Meanwhile I know I need to clean and get these worms out so I ran to town and got peroxide, triple antibiotic ointment, wormer, gauze and vet wrap. When I got back she told me what she found on the internet and it was pretty much what I thought. I did pour her down with peroxide and a lot of the worms came out. I poured until no more worms would come out but she wouldnt let me mess with her too much and I was the only one able to be with her at the time. Neighbor said to cut off that wormy dead skin but I cant do that by myself unless I find a way to wrap her so she wont bite! I patted the entire back area partially dry and emptied a tube of neosporen on her back and tried to "smother" what was left of the worms. Then I wrapped her around her body with the gauze and then with vet wrap to keep it together. I also gave her a shot of penicillin. I had to then leave for a two day conference so I put a little puppy wormer in her water thinking it would possibly help kill the worms. I had my husband check on her and change her water after that first part of the day. He will not help me other than that with the chicken in case your wondering. I got back today. Her comb is pale with just a touch of color. She did drink but seemed not to eat. I took her some scrambled egg and she did eat about a quarter size and she drank some water. She seemed to want outside so right now she is sitting out in the grass. She ate a little grass and a little lettuce and drank lots more water. She is sleeping right now.

So what else should I do, do I need to do?
I have not looked at what the wound or the wormy area looks like because it is under gauze and by wrapping her I am out at the moment. It would have to wait until tomorrow.

Do you think she will be ok with skin missing on her back? will it grow back?

 

[beachchickie]

I don't know but it sounds like you did everything right. Just keep trying to get her to eat. So sorry. She is fortunate she got you for a momma.

 

[pamperedpoultry]

If it was me I'd clean the area until you got all the maggots out and put some more antibodic ointment on it but leave it unwrapped. I'd let it get some air. Hope she gets better

 

[boogiedog]

I would definitely take off the bandage, clean the wound and rebandage. At some point soon you will want to leave the injury open to the air - use the ointment - but allowing some air will help healing. That flap of skin will need to dry up and come off, or be cut off. You do not want to keep that dead skin moist and against the new skin trying to grow.

 

[jjparke]

Wow I would have put her down immediately. So much time and resources on 1 chicken. Seems like a waste to me. Just make sure she doesn't suffer needlessly.

 

[genuck]

I would not use peroxide, it will destroy healthy tissue. The maggots will only eat dead tissue, so if you use peroxide you are giving them more to eat. I would jusr rinse it out with betadine or water then betadine then put some antibiotic cream over it. Maybe some blue-cote on the back where she is just missing skin.

 

[jjthink]

Okay, pain management: 1 crushed baby aspirin per cup of drinking water changed out at least once daily (twice is better). To get them started dunk watermelon or cut up grapes or other interesting fruit in this water if they'll accept that. Begins to take the edge of the pain so that they want to eat and drink more.

Nutrition to build strength: 3 drops children's liquid vitamins Polyvisol (without added iron) daily, dribbled gently along her beak line with a dropper so she swallows on her own and doesn't choke.

Shock: Time has passed but normally electrolytes important to help deal with shock in the beginning. A bit of Gatorade or Pedialtye will do if poultry electrolytes not on hand or nearby.

Stress: If have or can get, a drop or 2 of Rescue Remedy in her water - or on a piece of fruit if you can find the pet version which is not in an alcohol base. Either is okay but if not the pet version put the regular in water.

Wound: Uncover wound. General consensus on this site seems to be that peroxide straight up kills tissue so I would dilute it. You will need to remove any remaining maggots (bless you). I don't know what is in puppy wormer and whether okay for chickens. Almost hate to ask but how large is this wound that you emptied a whole tube of neosporin onto? It's possible she may need a different kind of systemic antibiotic.

Overall: She needs to be in a comfortable quiet space with all her needs close at hand and anything you can think of to raise her spirits as that will help with healing. Sunflower seeds, blueberries cut in half, cut up grapes, definitely more egg if she'll take it as that's a lot of good nutrition.... Environment that's not too hot, not too cold...all designed so she doesn;t have to use energy for anything other than healing.

I hope very much that she'll be okay. It is astonishing what they can heal from with lots of TLC. Please keep us updated. And thank you for helping her.

JJ

p.s. If using betadine for wound cleaning dilute to 9 parts water 1 part betadine, according to 1 avian vet I know.

 

[jjthink]

Quote:
Wow. If you're lucky no one will feel that way about you if you get brutally attacked

.
I think everyone would agree with your last sentence though. However, not always easy to judge. Sometimes temporary suffering can lead to healing and a nice long life to follow. If asked in retrospect whether the short term trauma was worth it in exchange for joyful days after healing, I would venture that most beings would answer in the affirmative. Our daunting task is trying to sort out whether the odds are in favor of recovery. Not easy but I think caring people do the best that they can. With admittedly a ton of effort on my part, my sweet roo has recovered from dog attacks where it seemed upon looking at him that recovery was impossible. He is such a happy joyful being today, those bad times a distant memory for him. And I am glad I was able to give him the chance to enjoy life.

In any case, the OP at this point is looking for help with treatment so let's stick with that for now at least.
JJ

 

[speakup4kids]

I would also try to give some Poly vi sol vitamins to the chicken (no iron) This seems to help them perk up a little. Try to keep the area as dry as possible to facilitate the healing process. Moisture helps bacteria to breed as well as if you missed any little maggots in there they will have a field day without you being able to see it... Check the site at least daily to make sure it is clear of signs of serious infection, and just watch the chicken for signs of deterioration. Good luck!!

 

[Kedreeva]

There are also worm sprays that you can get, to spray across the wound that will kill worms and any additional eggs. The wound will have to be cleaned, sprayed, wait for 1-2 days and then cleaned, sprayed, and left to dry to be sure all of the worms and eggs are gone. Screw Worm spray (http://www.drugs.com/vet/screw-worm-aerosol.html) should do the trick.

Other than that, I think JJ's got it pretty well covered! Good luck with her, she's lucky to have you to rescue her.