Would like some advice for Keet injury (graphic image and description warning)

[EEELLLBBB]

We recently tried to intergrate our 5 week old guineas with our chickens. We observed the chickens pecking at them a bit but didn't question it because this usually happens when something new is introduced and usually stops. However when we came back 30 minutes later, I found the stairs had fallen on the keets. All survived with minor-to-no injuries, except for one who was majorly injured.

Her bone in exposed in her wing. She originally was only moving in faint twitches, but since then she has begun moving and yelling and biting (so acting normal, ha ha).

We have wrapped the wound due to its severity. The wound has also been disinfected and bandages have been changed twice today. She hasn't eaten or drank yet, and we suspect one leg may be broken due to her limited movement of her toes, but we are unsure.

The stairs have now been screwed in place and all guineas have been relocated to their own containment areas.

 

[alinas2010]

I’m so sorry about your Guinea keet. Is a vet an option? When did this happen? She/he will need to be treated for shock if you haven’t already. Try to use a dropper to offer electrolytes with a bit of sugar mixed in. Gatorade or pedialyte will also work. You can also try to gently dip the beak in. Keep somewhere warm dark and quiet to recover.

Im very sorry this happened, it’s hard to say if she can recover from injuries this bad, but it may be worth trying. If this keet happens to decline are you able to dispatch it?

Tagging educators for wound advice @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

 

[Eggcessive]

I’m sorry about your keet. I have no experience with them. The sound looks pretty bad, and I am not sure that it will survive. I would consider putting it down so that it does nit suffer. Spray wounds with saline or Vetericyn, chlorhexidene, and apply plain Neosporin ointment twice a day. Offer moistened food, egg, and water up to the beak only if it is alert and able to swallow. Sugar water or electrolytes would help to treat shock at first.

 

[EEELLLBBB]

I’m so sorry about your Guinea keet. Is a vet an option? When did this happen? She/he will need to be treated for shock if you haven’t already. Try to use a dropper to offer electrolytes with a bit of sugar mixed in. Gatorade or pedialyte will also work. You can also try to gently dip the beak in. Keep somewhere warm dark and quiet to recover.

Im very sorry this happened, it’s hard to say if she can recover from injuries this bad, but it may be worth trying. If this keet happens to decline are you able to dispatch it?

Tagging educators for wound advice @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

Thank you so much for the advice! ^^

This happened around 11am today (it is now 10pm). She has gently nibbled water when prompted with a syringe but no response when being place near food or water. Will definitely try to coax her into drinking something with electrolytes.

She is currently being in our garage, where it is warm and dark. When doing research of what to do I didn't really see any advice with injuries this extensive, so someone told me to put her down. However she seemed to recover a bit after we initially treated her, acting much more energetic. I hate seeing the poor thing suffer, but I also don't want to give up on her too soon.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is entirely up to you to decide if you need to give her time to recover since you are the one seeing her. Get her drinking fluids with electrolytes or sugar 1 tsp per cup. Offer food, since that will help keep her temperature up and help her to heal. Of course, keep her separated now.

 

[Susan Skylark]

That is really bad, the bone is exposed and she’s lost a significant amount of skin, sepsis and osteomyelitis (bone infection) are likely in the next 72 hours. She needs to be on antibiotics asap if she’s going to have a chance but she will also lose a significant amount of heat, nutrients and moisture through the wound. This will be a months’ long recovery, very painful and poor prognosis. Euthanasia should be considered unless you can get significant help quickly otherwise she’ll go into shock and fade away or die of sepsis over several days. Sorry for the grim prognosis but that is a horrible wound and prognosis is grave without immediate and intensive intervention, even then prognosis is poor.

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you so much for the advice! ^^

This happened around 11am today (it is now 10pm). She has gently nibbled water when prompted with a syringe but no response when being place near food or water. Will definitely try to coax her into drinking something with electrolytes.

She is currently being in our garage, where it is warm and dark. When doing research of what to do I didn't really see any advice with injuries this extensive, so someone told me to put her down. However she seemed to recover a bit after we initially treated her, acting much more energetic. I hate seeing the poor thing suffer, but I also don't want to give up on her too soon.

It would be tough for me to decide what would be best for her in this situation, also. It’s always hard when they’re alive still. I’m very sorry this is on your shoulders.

Sometimes poultry do surprise us and heal very well, but sometimes we just look at them wrong and they take a turn for the worse. Do consider her quality of life if these wounds heal; they may cause complications all her life. It’s hard to say with the bones being involved. Ultimately, it is up to you, but I agree she will need a lot of dedication and care if you decide to treat her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

I agree, if vet care is an option it would be best.

She's been picked severely and bone is exposed. Most wounds heal without antibiotics, but in this case with that much exposure, she needs an antibiotic.
Cephalexin or Clindamycin would be good choices.

It's hard to know if she can survive. If the leg is also broken, this would complicate things even more.

Giving her time to see how she does, that's up to you. But putting her down may be what's necessary in this situation. I'm so very sorry!

If you wish to try to treat, let us know, we'll try to help as best we can. You can get abx online, but it will be days before you will get them.