Wound on Bottom of Zebra Hen's Foot

[Ginene]

My BC Zebra has a small open wound on the bottom of her foot, where her back toe meets her foot. I cleaned it with peroxide and put Neosporin on it. I removed all pedi and sand perches/swing and wiped down the entire cage. I gave her some N-Powder in her water too. Is there anything else I should do to help her heal or prevent infection? Thanks in advance...

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Depends on how bad the wound is, how long she's had it and whether or not it seems to be healing on it own. If it appears to be healing, I wouldn't do anything. If it lingers or worsens you might try a broad spectrum antibiotic such as Ornacyn Plus or Ornacycline. Bob

[Ginene]

30 Seconds to Bob
Thanks Bob. She just got the wound today. Wish I knew how it happened...I will keep a close eye on her and clean/medicate the wound everyday. It is still bleeding, but slowly. I find little red dots on the light colored wood perches. I have Ornacycline in the house, so if it doesn't improve, I will put her in my hospital cage and medicate her.

[ac12]

That happens with my birds if I forget to clean the perches.
The dry poop acts like sandpaper and abrades the bottom of the foot.
If I keep the perches clean, using sandpaper to clean off the dry poop, no problems.

[Ginene]

ac12
That's a great idea, Gary. I clean and wipe down their perches everyday. After the hard poop pops off, I use all natural, unscented baby wipes to wipe everything down. I will invest in a new sand block just for perches. Stupid question...but, do you use the same piece of sand paper in all different cages? Maybe a block wouldn't be the right thing. I can probably just cut sand paper into small squares so I don't track poop germs from cage to cage. Btw, you just witnessed my thinking process on the forum ...sorry .

[ac12]

I use 2 grades of sandpaper.
First a rough one (I think #80) to get the hard crud off,
Then a fine one (I think #120) to smooth out the rough stuff that the rough sandpaper created.

And yes I use the same piece of sandpaper for all the perches.

[Ginene]

ac12
Sounds great. Thanks again

[ac12]

oops
What I meant to say is
First I use the #80 to take off the hard crud
Then I use the #120 to smooth out the wood where the #80 roughed up the wood perch, sometimes leaving splinters sticking out.
I do this with WOOD DOWEL perches, NOT natural branches.
Oh and do this outside and stand upwind. You don't really want to inhale poop dust.

For natural branches, I use a hard plastic brush under running water and scrub off the dried on crud. But because I washed it, I then have to use paper towels to dry the branch perch to some degree before putting it back into the cage.

[Ginene]

ac12
Glad you gave me this extra info. I don't have traditional perches. Only smooth and sand blasted manzanita. A few pedi and sand perches too. I will probably stick with the plastic scrub brush under hot water. Thanks again