My Cochin hen was attacked by a young roo and her crop was torn opened. Im not sure if it was claws of beak but he doesn't have spurs yet. It looks like its just her crop and there is very little blood. I have put her in a pen by herself and she doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Maybe shock??
Any help is welcome!!!
Thank you!!
Caren
Sorry for the blurr, I will try to get a better pic when I have some help holding her.
WOW Caren I have not seen that happen before. I can't see the pic so no way I can help. I hope someone will come along and help you in this matter...Haystack
Me Too, The thin skin has been ripped back and I can see the that the crop has a cut about an inch and a half long. Ive cleaned out most of the food that was in her crop and I can see that it will need at least 3 stitches to close the crop. The skin looks like a harder problem to fix. Its super thin and its not a strait cut maybe even some skin missing. I think if it heals it will have to just grow new skin.
Will the crop close on its own or should I stitch it? The outer skin as I said is a lost cause :((((
Caren I so glad you asked, I would stitch the crop, after making sure it's as clean as possible, then I would coat it with neosporin for a 24 hour period, after the twentyfours I would take the bandage off and gently wipe away the neosporin, then I would make sure it is clean and then cover it with newskin. I woud then be prepared to hold it for an hour and then isolate the bird and put it in an area free from any shavings, Maybe on used towels so nothing can contaminate the wound area. I would then plan of keep her alone for at least four days and watch and see how she is doing. That new skin product is excellent and will keep bacteria out if it is clean when applied...good luck my dear...Hay
oh poor baby.
Poor little thing, how awful for her. Haystack has good advice as usual. Keep us posted on her progress.
One of our little cochin hens got hopped this morning by a larger roo that got into her pen. Poor thing, I think she is tramatized. I let her out and she came on the back porch and has stayed there all morning.
Oh man, that's a bad one.. I hope she is okay..
Be sure to only feed her mash for a while till those stitches heal.. Soft stuff only.. :)
If, after you have done all the things Haystack suggested, you want to close the skin over the wound, you can use Super Glue to glue a few feathers from each side of the cut together instead of stitching.
I did stitch the crop last night but all I had on hand was sewing thread. It looks like it held ok but I really wish I had sutures. It doesn't look as messy this morning and if I can keep her from pecking of my bandages she should be ok. I think Ill give the new skin and the superglue a try.
She took some scrambled egg this morning and is moving around well. Im hoping for the best.
She really wants to peck the wound
Thank you all for your help!
Maybe for animals and poultry the healing itches as it does for us...not sure but that may be why they want to peck at it. You did great, and I pray that she will recover with no lasting effects. One thing is for sure your a great caretaker of your babies and you did all you could...Hay
Heavinsent what a good job you have done,cleaned her up great,you might have to get her one of those cones they put on cats and dogs after the have surgery to keep them from pulling out their stiches,they make them for ferrets so I know they have samll ones.go to your vets office or a pet smart you may find one if it comes to that or try to make one.
Yea I will have to do something like that. I made her a little shirt that is keeping her out of it for now but she has make it clear that she hates it!
Now I think I may have another problem... She isn't holding water well when she drinks. I can see some drops when she has drink around the stitching. Should I expect a bit of this or do I need to touch up the newskin?
Gosh I'm sure no vet: I don't think I'd worry about the water so much, she'll probably just have to drink more to satisfy her but I would think as the crop heals the water will eventually stop. I see no danger with the water...Just an opinion...
I think Haystack is probably right about the water. It looks as if you've done a great job.
I'd try superglue (or surgical glue if you an afford it, but they're basically the same thing) to seal it. I'd wrap in with a self sticking wrap (like Vet wrap) to keep it clean and help keep her from picking at it.
I want to thank you for the reminder. I need to go thru my first aid stuff, and get a kit ready to go to the chicken house.
I'd try superglue (or surgical glue if you an afford it, but they're basically the same thing) to seal it. I'd wrap in with a self sticking wrap (like Vet wrap) to keep it clean and help keep her from picking at it.
I want to thank you for the reminder. I need to go thru my first aid stuff, and get a kit ready to go to the chicken house.
I never thought Id need sutures but Im going to be trying to find some now! My vet wouldn't even sell me some. It seems so odd to me that Vets will see parrots and other birds but wont treat a chicken...
Another question... Can I use Blu-Kote on her?? Ive been using dermaplast spray but that doesnt have the antiseptic like the blu-kote.
Yes, you can use blue kote.. it would be good for the drying affect it has.
Dental floss is a pretty good substitute for suture material. Another wound spray I like is AluSpray.
Since Horsehair used to be the only thing used years ago for sutures , why not a small pill bottle containing Alcohol and horsetail hair? for those of you who also have horses!
I did not know that! Hair can be difficult to handle and knot (unless it's your own and you're trying to comb it.)
I never gave dental floss a thought. Nice to know about the horse hair too. Hopefully I wont need to use either again for a long time!
Thanks again to all of you for the great info and wishes!
C
I keep a skin stapler on hand, and thank you for reminiding me that I need to be able to get to it*G*.
You can buy sutures and circular needles, but they can be expensive, and you won't need them often (knock on wood). A stapler is easy to use, especially for one person. I find I usually don;t have help when I need it.
http://www.kvsupply.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=84034&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=A51C774563FC4544BE8575C9F3925CDF
If you go that route, PLEASE buy a staple remover as well.....:)
Okay, here's another place, and this page has the suture/needle combo, which is much better, but still expensive (to me) It also shows the surgical glue, although the page before this has a cheaper "generic" which I will now order....:)
http://www.revivalanimal.com/pet-health-supplies/first-aid-and-wound-care.htm?pi=4
Thank you those are great sites. The sutures are expensive but the stapler is very reasonable ;)
I just wanted to add that Honey is still doing really good! I let her out for a short time yesterday and she was all over the yard. I think I will keep her separated from the group for a few more days but, Im pretty sure that she will be fine. I still worry about infection but there are no signs of any yet :))))
Thank you all sooooo much for the help and great advice!
This message was edited Mar 23, 2011 9:06 AM
I am always amazed at the things chickens recover from. Hope that Honey will continue to improve and show us one more small miracle:)
You did good girl. Just wondered if the water is still an issue or not. Keep on with what your doing. We are all really proud of you...Hay
Wow.. I was afraid she'd be a gonner.. that was an amazing save Caren!! I've seen some bad cuts but nothing like that. Amazing that there is no infection. Honey is a special girl for sure. :)
Good job! I'm really happy Honey is going to be fine.
