Toe nail ripped off - What do I do? (photo)

[TheSpiceGirls]

My Andalusian ripped off her whole toe nail. That's the inside of the nail you see there with just a tiny bit of the nail on top showing. She's CLEARLY in pain.

I put her in a dog crate in the garage for tonight. She isn't bleeding anymore. But she tends to scuffle with the Alpha Hen at bedtime and I just don't want her to have to deal with anything else today.

I'm guessing all I can really do is keep her calm tonight and put her back out with the other hens tomorrow? I hate to keep her isolated too long. She loves her sisters.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Well, I'm bummed that no one has any advice for me.

I cleaned her up and put Blue Kote on what's left there. And she's clearly in pain. I kept her separate in a dog crate in the garage last night but she was simply terrified. Wouldn't even eat meal worms.

I put her back out in the run with the other 5 hens this morning and she ran over to eat and drink. She's limping and it clearly hurts her. But she's also very skiddish and doesn't want to be held or touched. Otherwise, I would have wrapped it up. But I can't catch her to clean it every day so I'll let her tough it out.

If I see it's getting worse, I'll have to nab her early off the roost one morning and I'll take her to the vet.

I really wish I knew how she did this.

 

[ten chicks]

Well, I'm bummed that no one has any advice for me.

I cleaned her up and put Blue Kote on what's left there. And she's clearly in pain. I kept her separate in a dog crate in the garage last night but she was simply terrified. Wouldn't even eat meal worms.

I put her back out in the run with the other 5 hens this morning and she ran over to eat and drink. She's limping and it clearly hurts her. But she's also very skiddish and doesn't want to be held or touched. Otherwise, I would have wrapped it up. But I can't catch her to clean it every day so I'll let her tough it out.

If I see it's getting worse, I'll have to nab her early off the roost one morning and I'll take her to the vet.

I really wish I knew how she did this.

Just watch for infection,i am sure it probably hurts like heck(,i once ripped off a finger nail,so i know how painful this is). Nail will grow back in time. Make sure she is eating and drinking. If you feel the pain is very bad,you can purchase Metacam from a vet or give her baby aspirin(80mg) dose is 25mg per body weight,crush and sprinkle over food or put in water(it may make her drowsy). Chickens do not do well with any kind of stress,you could give her some electrolytes. Give her some of her favorite foods,might make her more interested in eating.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Thanks Ten Chicks. I'll keep a close eye on her to see how she does. And I'll also pick up some baby aspirin today. I've been meaning to put some in my first aid kit but I of course forget ever time I hit the drug store.

She did take some raisins from me so she's eating and I saw her drinking. I'll keep a close eye on her over the next few days to see how she fairs.

I just feel awful for her. I really wish I knew how she did this. I scoured their run looking for blood and or a nail and the only thing I see is small bits of blood where she likes to perch under the house. But it's just a 2x4 so nothing to get hung up on there. I'm pretty sure that's where she went to hide after she pulled it off.

 

[redneck farmer]

It's been 8 days sence you last posted how is she? If I were you I would go get some Neosporin that's in a squirt bottle that squirts out foam neosporn an put it on the toe.

 

[redneck farmer]

This is that stuff I recommend becuase if you spray it on the toe it will relive pain an help heal. I use this stuff when I get cuts.
http://m.neosporin.com/products/neosporin-wound-cleanser-kids

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

I'm happy to report that she's doing great. I managed to catch her again and put more Blu Kote on the exposed quick. She barely limps when she walks but when she stops, she tucks that foot up into her. So I know it still smarts.

I did send the photo into the vet and the vet said that she'd gladly give me pain meds and also recommended keeping it clean and wrapped. But I explained that I can't catch her so she said to just watch for signs of infection. And I'm not seeing any of of that. Woo Hoo.

I'm guessing that quick still really smarts and that it's gonna smart until a new nail grows out will will take a few weeks.

I've also seen her scratching so she must not be in too much pain. Laying eggs. Roosting w/ her buds at night. So I think I dogged a bullet on that one.

 

[Jack and Sara]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

My wife found our hen Java hanging upside down in the coop when she got home from work Tuesday. Her nail got caught in a tiny hole in a light switch in the coop and had to have been there for at least 1.5 hours. We kept an eye on her. No cuts or wounds but her foot swelled. She was limpy for a couple days but by Friday she was running around "flying" again with only a slight limp. Saturday, today, we went out and I noticed blood on the same foot. Some how she ripped off her entire nail [oddly, it is the nail next to her nail that had been stuck previously]. We cleaned it up and sprayed with blue kote [note: use gloves, my wife is now part smurf].

Wasn't sure what more to do but reading your experience gives us a guide and some comfort.