|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Aug 23, 2009 21:24:23 GMT -5
One of my hens has a new case of bumblefoot. Does everyone wrap this, after removing the scabby area and the pus? Or can you treat it with a topical bactericide, and let her foot go naked? I need to check her tomorrow, obviously, so could go get some vet wrap, if it's really neccessary. I do not give my hens systemic antibiotics, so have none on hand. She is acting normally... scratching and perching, running and jumping up and down from their nightly roost.
I know it's a staph infection, and have heard that I don't have to worry that the other 4 will automatically contract it. But I've also heard it can be a very stubborn thing to rid a hen of. So... how do you handle it?
|
|
|
|
Post by silverseeds on Aug 23, 2009 21:27:17 GMT -5
you know what I would try, LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by flowerpower on Aug 24, 2009 5:09:03 GMT -5
Lav, I haven't dealt with this yet. Did you check to see if there is something still inside the foot? Like a splinter or something. I would maybe soak her foot in water with epsom salts every day. Clean with peroxide & just a topical ointment if its showing no signs of infection. But I would cover it with vet wrap.
|
|
|
|
Post by canadamike on Aug 24, 2009 6:21:46 GMT -5
Silverseeds, if you keep on pushing silver like that you'll empty the american mint  |
|
|
|
Post by ottawagardener on Aug 24, 2009 7:34:28 GMT -5
FP, you just reminded me of something. I use a highly saline solution (as much salt as I can get to dissolve in water) to get hidden objects to shoot out of wounds... usually glass shards. I don't know if you could make a chicken stay in it for the right amount of time though.  |
|
|
|
Post by mnjrutherford on Aug 24, 2009 7:47:34 GMT -5
"shoot out of wounds"  Can you tell me a little more about this method Telsing? The boys constantly have "things" in their flesh and they hate the tweezers and clippers. I'd love being able to gently soak their hurts out. |
|
|
|
Post by ottawagardener on Aug 24, 2009 8:25:19 GMT -5
I discovered this by accident when I was 12 and my friend stuck her hand through an old fashioned window. Her hand was penetrated by lots of glass. My brother and I just had this idea to make some very salty water and soak her hand in. I think I figured that the difference in the gradient, or amount of salt, inside the body and out would force the object out and surprisingly I was right. My parents worked in the ER so perhaps I had heard of it and had forgotten, I'm not sure.
Anyhow, tiny bits of glass just came literally shooting out of her hand. It has worked since then with small object that can't be easily grasped by a tweezer or seen. I wouldn't be sure if the osmotic pressure would be enough to remove anything large.
Also, on the point of useful first aid. Very hot water applied as close as possible to a puss filled wound will draw the infection to the surface, usually bursting the surface so that the puss comes out. It also causes a localized fever killing whatever was in there. I've used this technique over and over for large boils and other skin infections.
|
|
|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Aug 24, 2009 14:16:10 GMT -5
Well, I resoaked and cleaned her feet again today, and now she's wearing bright pink vet wrap "socks"... very girly. Some people evidently pack the hole with antibiotic ointment, but I'm opting for good old iodine as of now. So yeah... she pretty well hates me right now, although in typical chicken fashion, her thoughts ran along "Oww... ow my foot... stop it, I will peck you! Peck you I say! Hey... are those sunflower seeds? Sweet." 
Telsing and Jo... epsom salts are the best for soaking out infection from a wound. Very helpful. We use them for both animals and people.
|
|
|
|
Post by flowerpower on Aug 25, 2009 6:02:42 GMT -5
Glad to hear she is doing ok. Which breed of chicken is it? I know you have a mixed flock. |
|
|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Aug 25, 2009 10:37:31 GMT -5
She's an Amerucauna (sp?) mutt. Not a true bred one, as she has a single comb, not a pea comb. She lays enormous, peach colored eggs with brown speckles. And she's quite the character. Of course, when you have so few birds, they all have pretty distinct personalities, right?
|
|
|
|
Post by ottawagardener on Aug 25, 2009 14:23:15 GMT -5
That sounds lovely, speckled peach coloured eggs. Glad she's improving!
|
|
|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Aug 25, 2009 18:16:53 GMT -5
Yep, she's quite an artist, Telsing! We had hoped that she would lay blue or green, when we got her, but those colors are very closely tied genetically with the pea comb, which she lacks. She, in all other ways, looks like a real Amerucauna. (Ear muffs and beard, coloring, stance, etc.)
Soaked her feet again this morning (she has decided she enjoys the pedicure) and rewrapped them. She seems otherwise healthy. Even laid another egg today, despite the minor surgery and upset. What a good hen!
|
|
|
|
Post by mnjrutherford on Aug 27, 2009 6:04:30 GMT -5
Excellent all around! I'll be trying the salt treatment on my hubby who CONSTANTLY gets wee invisible things in his hands. Not to mention the kids. Glad to hear about your chicken. HAD to laugh about the thought train! She sounds like she might be genetically linked to me?!?!? HAHAHA
|
|
Can you tell me a little more about this method Telsing? The boys constantly have "things" in their flesh and they hate the tweezers and clippers. I'd love being able to gently soak their hurts out.