toe was bit off - not bleeding but bone sticking out------what to do?

[chickienuggers]

My chicken's middle toe got bit off by a fox or the neighbor's dog (I'm guessing). She seems to be ok, traumatized but ok.... We cleaned the wound, dressed it and have been doing so for a couple days and now that the blood and debris have been washed away and the swelling has gone down, I can see that while it is trying to heal, there is bone sticking out. I am tempted to clip it, and suture the skin flaps together, but I don't know if I can inject her with lidocaine to make this possible? Something has to be done or she will get infection in the bone itself...Any ideas?

 

[CMV]

No lidocaine. It will kill her. It's far too late to stitch the flaps together. That needs to be done within the first 8-10 hours or not at all. Any longer a wait between the injury and the stitching, and you risk sewing an infection into the wound. Clip the bone off at the joint, and it should heal up fine. You may want to look at dosing and administration methods for Pen G, and find a store that carries it nearby. Your local feed store should have it in the refrigerator. I wouldn't use it on her unless she has an active infection because this will probably heal up with no issues, but it is good to know how to use it in case you have to use it.

Chickens lose toes and feet all the time and do well despite their loss. Your bird should be back to full working order soon.

 

[chickienuggers]

so with the bone sticking out she won't get osteomyelitis?

 

[chickienuggers]

And thanks, by the way, for the reply and information. I really appreciate it.

I love my chickens probably a little too much, but they are so cute it is hard not to.

 

[CMV]

Birds are not as prone to osteomyelitis as other creatures. Birds have a neat physiological mechanism where their bodies tend to compartmentalize infections. That's why they get abscesses so often, yet rarely get systemic infections from peripheral injuries. That being said, I never like to leave half-dead bones sticking out of a live limb, which is why I like to have them removed at the nearest joint. I have seen birds do fine with desiccated bones sticking out from a poorly healed old injury. I don't like it, though. I think that is skirting the edge of disaster in chicken healing capabilities. It is a much wiser course of action to just remove the dead/damaged bone and be done with it.

 

[chickienuggers]

I could not believe how quickly she healed up! I went out to look at her toe the other day and darned if the bone was no longer sticking out and the skin had closed up and there was no more problem! Amazing! She walks with a cute limp now. I am so thankful she is okay, cuz she is such a sweetheart! Anyway, thanks for the information, now I will know what to do next time.