Silkiemum Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Dear Rachel appears to have lost a toe: not a huge length in cms but I guess a significant length as a proportion of her foot. My daughter went to the Eglu for a cuddle and chat on her return from school later pm to find little puddles of blood all over the WIR and blood smears on Rachel's chest. It looked pretty awful but I know that a little blood can go a long long way.. .... It has been cleaned up, bathed in tea tree oil and then when dry, some spray plaster applied to keep it dry and clean. She has now been returned to the Eglu with some clean straw. The bleeding had stopped by the time we returned her home and had been stopped for several hours. The cut was a clean one (tip of toe gone completely) and all we can think is that she was scratching around and got it caught on a rogue piece of wire (which we will be checking the run religiously for at the weekend). Have never had to deal with any medical emergency in a chicken before and it worries me so much that she might be in pain (although she didn't seem too worried : do chickens have a high pain threshold?) or that she could pick up an infection in the wound that makes her seriously ill or worse down the line. Was wondering if I should contact the vet for a precautionary anti-biotic jab (do they do that sort of thing for hens?). Would be really grateful for any thoughts or practical suggestions. Iread on another thread about other chickens smelling the injury and pecking: we only have one other at the moment and we have applied spray plaster which might hopefully avoid any such problems? Many thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 poor you.... poor her. No expert but I would think she is very likely to pick up an infection if you don't clean it and keep it covered and dry. you know they can't avoid standing in or where pooh had been, and there is always some bactreia in the soil. I think this is how the can develope Bumblefoot. It seems they tolerate a foot being bandaged quite well(better thab a dog ir cat would) but I am sure there will be lots of advice from experienced chookers soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I wonder if some antibiotics would be a good idea to cover her for potential infection. Apart from that you are doing the right thing keeping it clean and covered. I would restrict her for a few days to make her rest the foot so that things can get on and heal without too much movement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'd spray it with purple spray which has an antiseptic ingredient, this will cover any redness and stop the other chooks pecking at it You could bring her in and/or bandage it but the damage is done, the bleeding has stopped and I thnk ts best to let the fresh air get to it, they are pretty tough little things and badaging a splayed out foot (as opposed to a short foot on a dog or a hoof on a horse) must be a nightmare As CM says some antibiotics may help things along Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 If she hasn't actually got an infection, I'm not sure that antibiotics will help. They won't prevent infection, and vets usually want to match the antibiotic to the type of infection. I'd just try and keep an eye on it. If it bled a lot and a scab formed, then it's got a protective cover anyway, but the spray-on plaster will have helped. I doubt if a bandage (even if you could get one on) would stay on for long. I haven't tried this, but something I read was that if they tear a toenail or something like that, stick the foot in some soft wet soap - it will help to stop the bleeding. Too late for your chicken, but worth bearing in mind for the future. As Redwing says, they are quite tough - I'd just keep an eye on it, and if there's any swelling or heat then a trip to the vets is necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 on of my legbars riped one of her nails off just after i got them i cleaned it up srayed it with purple sray to stop the bleeding and she's been fine ever since nail grew back to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 One of my girls did something similar a few years back, you're right - it does bleed like blazes! I bathed it, staunched the bleeding with a silver nitrate pencil, then packed it with vet wound powder. I kept an eye on her for any proegression of infection, but she was fine and manages well without the end of her toe. I never did find out how it happened. Be prepared to take her to the vet though if it looks infected or she starts to favour that foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 just to say, that bandaging isn't so bad after all, and they apparently don't mind at all, and this was the case with one of mine with a corn. Just going to post re that now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silkiemum Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 Many many thanks to all for the useful advice and reassurance. I made OH acccompany me to let the chooks out first thing this morning, so convinced was I that she would be dead or on last legs. We contacted our local vet who said to take her down there this evening. Luckily the point at which the toe was severed was a nice and neat cut, plus he said we had done all the right things ie cleaning well with tea tree oil and applying the spray plaster (must admit, that worked an absolute treat... would recommend that to others as it is clear, odourless and clearly undetectable to chickens...). He has given her an antibiotic injection (must be a wide spectrum one to address most likely types of infection from foot wound) to lay down some additional oomph in case. She is still not troubled by it, eating, perching as normal, strutting as normal: have to assume they have a high pain threshold or perhap few nerve endings in feet. She was the star of the waiting room and a bit of a curiousity for all the cat and dog owners! (even when ill, she knows how to turn heads....)/ FIngers crossed all will heal well and thanks again for everyone who answered my distress call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Great, glad to hear that all is well. I can just picture her strutting her stuff in the waiting room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 What a great conclusion to this thread. How gratifying. I hope she continues to improve. Are they not the toughest of birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
