Bleeding nail - question about clotting and some others

[ApricotMuffins]

I went into the bird room and noticed the smell was off. After inspecting the cages, I found the problem-one of the cages looked like a horror scene. Blood everywhere. My cfw hen was smeared with blood to the point that I couldn't tell where she was bleeding from.

After catching her, I began misting her with water to clean her up and determine where she was wounded, which is when I noticed that she was bleeding from her nail. I didn't have any quikstop powder on hand, so I ended up covering her foot with corn starch to try and stop the bleeding.

Unfortunately, since she had previously been misted, the front of the poor hen is now caked with corn starch on the upside, the bleeding has stopped it seems.

The hen is now sitting in a hospital cage in a quiet room with a heat lamp, food and water. She's lost a lot of blood if the amount I had to wipe off of her and the cage is any indicator.

I thought about cauterizing with a match, but the bleed seemed to be coming from under her nail, like it was torn at the bed rather than the tip and I didn't want to have to burn her toe. I have no idea how this injury happened.

My question is, for whoever may know, is how long on average does it take for a bleeding nail to clot and heal?

Second question is when will it be safe to wash off the cornstarch from her foot and front? I feel awful that her feathers got caked because I was so desperate to try and stop the bleeding.

[KarenB]

I wouldn't worry too much about the messy feathers at the moment. The important thing is the bleeding has stopped. You have done well by isolating her and keeping her calm and warm. Give her 24 hours to let the wound heal and clot well before trying to bathe her again. A little mess won't hurt for a day. Give eggfood, too, and a vitamin supplement if you have it. She'll have to produce more red blood cells and needs the nutrition right now.

[lovezebs]

ApricotMuffins

Karen, covered it pretty well already
Warmth, quiet, good nutrition.

She could have caught her foot on something and injured the nail, while trying to pull away. I would check the cage, to make sure that there is nothing sharp, or something that she could have caught her toe on.

Always a good idea to have a small jar of Quick Stop around. That said, other things will work (as you found out), flour and baby powder also work.

Goodluck with your little girl.
I hope she makes a full recovery. I would keep her away from the rest of the birds for a few days, just to give her a chance to regroup, recupe, and get her strength back.

~Elana~

[monotwine]

Others have covered most points. All I have to add it that once she is cleaned up, apply a topical antiseptic on her wound just to prevent any infection or possible further damage by secondary infection.

Most birds that have caught their toes and damage it severely may lose a bit of their toe, but not to worry, they adjust fine.

If have a cage made of panels that fits together with hooks or clips, then check the spacing of the joins in the corners. Often I've found with those kind of cages the spacing is uneven or often reduces so a bird can get a toe or foot through, but then as it slips down it becomes a vice.

[monotwine]

PS where I have encountered that I have covered it with clear tape or tubing.