Puncture wound lump - Pus?

[featheredfriendz]

Hi all!

3 weeks ago, I found my 1yr old hen a couple deep wounds on the top of her back and side. I think it's from our rooster. I cleaned the wound, sprayed Vetericyn and BluKote quite a bit. She's been doing well the past weeks, eating and drinking normally.

The wound on her side has completely healed. But the wound on the top of her back, there is now a lump around and underneath the scab (what I thought was a scab). I tried to pick the scab and squeeze, and the lump is hard. I can't really "get it out" with tweezers or squeezing. I saw a little bit of blood.

Is this pus? Or sign of an infection? Should I cut the skin to try and remove whatever the lump is? Or will the skin cover it and heal?

Picture below and here's a video.

 

[WoDia]

There is possibly something inside the wound. I thought I saw something in there, when you pushed on it. Maybe that’s just infection like you’ve suggested? Hard to tell. @Wyorp Rock

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There is possibly something inside the wound. I thought I saw something in there, when you pushed on it. Maybe that’s just infection like you’ve suggested? Hard to tell. @Wyorp Rock

It is hard to tell, let's get @azygous and @Eggcessive to take a look too.

For me, I'd press and see if any pus comes out, use Chlorhexidine to flush the wound really well.

 

[azygous]

What I would do is hot compresses on the lesion. Heat to just about 108F so it will be hot but won't burn skin. Repeat the hot compresses over about ten minutes, refreshing the compresses to maintain the heat. This should soften the tissue and force the core of infection up like a volcanic eruption. Or that's what I envision. Let us know how it works.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like it may have been an abscess that opened, and the tissue around it might be swollen. I have seen cat bites look like that. The warm compresses help into it for 10 minutes will help. When there is a hole in an abscess I will use a little peroxide once with a QTip to clean it out. Then just clean it and apply some antibiotic ointment after the compress.

 

[featheredfriendz]

Thank you all! I'll try the warm compress, cleaning routine for a few days and report back.

 

[featheredfriendz]

Update: Over the last couple of weeks, I did a warm compress and it looks like the hole was closing up but the lump was still under the skin. After another week, the lump hardened into a waxy texture and I was able to chip away at it. Then eventually yank it out! I disinfected the opening and hopefully it heals up nicely. If you'd like to see the picture of what I pulled out, here it is.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advice here! It is much appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update: Over the last couple of weeks, I did a warm compress and it looks like the hole was closing up but the lump was still under the skin. After another week, the lump hardened into a waxy texture and I was able to chip away at it. Then eventually yank it out! I disinfected the opening and hopefully it heals up nicely. If you'd like to see the picture of what I pulled out, here it is.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advice here! It is much appreciated.

Thank you for the update!