Wound

[giwa]

My chicken has this wound in the crook of the knee. It started out as a red spot. I thought it was irritation at first. Vet did not know what it was but prescribed antibiotics. The antibiotics have been administered for one week and a bandage has been on for one week but the wound now looks like this today (worse). Could anyone please give advice on what could have created it and/or what to do for it? I've never seen something like it before.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post some clear pictures of the leg? What type of bandage have you used? Bandaging legs can sometimes cut off circulation if too tight. How are you cleaning the wound, and what is the antibiotic called?

 

[giwa]

Can you post some clear pictures of the leg? What type of bandage have you used? Bandaging legs can sometimes cut off circulation if too tight. How are you cleaning the wound, and what is the antibiotic called?

The wound was wrapped loosely enough not to cut off circulation as that was a concern as well. But no matter the bandage application there might still be bunching at the wound site. If I don't wrap it, I am concerned he might peck at it or dirt will get into it though. I bathed him, let it dry, then put on the bandage. I am wondering if I should apply something and what would be the best thing to apply. I don't want to irritate it further and and I don't know what caused it. It is a mystery.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to tell what caused the wound. The antibiotic prescribed is good for skin and other infections. I would clean the wound with saline, and apply triple antibiotic cream with each dressing change or once a day. Most of the time, we do that twice a day and leave the wound open. Some chickens can develop skin cancers on their legs and elsewhere. @azygous has posted about her rooster that has had it for some time. She might possibly have a look here. Does it seem to bother her much?

 

[azygous]

I believe that's a wound rather than a cancer lesion. I've seen wounds on legs just like that. They are usually caused by a chicken who is heavy trying to get onto a perch that is too high. They jump and miss, hitting the perch with their leg.

I agree that wrapping the wound would be a good idea. Use elastic Vetrap, not too tightly wound, and end it on the upper reach of the wound at the back of the leg. The chicken is less able to peck the end of the bandage loose.

 

[giwa]

It is hard to tell what caused the wound. The antibiotic prescribed is good for skin and other infections. I would clean the wound with saline, and apply triple antibiotic cream with each dressing change or once a day. Most of the time, we do that twice a day and leave the wound open. Some chickens can develop skin cancers on their legs and elsewhere. @azygous has posted about her rooster that has had it for some time. She might possibly have a look here. Does it seem to bother her much?

No the wound doesn't seem to bother him. The bandage bothers him though, and he won't walk around because of it.
I will check out the link you suggested.