2 0 1 1  C L I N I C A L   C A S E W I N N E R The Use of HEALx Soother Plus® in Traumatic Foot Wounds in a Rescued Rooster Laura George, DVM Catnip & Carrots Veterinary Hospital, New Hyde Park, NY Coming Home Animal Sanctuary, Candor, NY Before - Day 0  Day 8  Day 15  Day 22 Day 29 Day 44 A male American game rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus) approximately 1 year of age was rescued from a cruelty case along with over 100 other abandoned, starving and neglected farm animals. It presented emaciated (BCS: 3.5/9), weighing 1.5 kg, and had evidence of frostbitten earlobes. Its comb had been partially cut off, a procedure known as “dubbing,” often performed with large scale breeding and fighting cocks. The body temperature was 104.0°F, the heart rate was 280 BPM and the respiration rate was 30 breaths per minute. A thick layer of fecal matter, dried blood, feathers, pebbles and dirt completely obscured visualization of all structures distal to the tarsometatarsus bone on both legs. Meloxicam was administered (0.3 mg/kg PO q24h). Because the bird was stable and eager to eat, it was placed inside a heated isolation cage for 12 hours prior to any further treatment.    Once the debris was thoroughly cleaned from both legs, it became evident that instead of normal foot and toe structures, there were only swollen cavities at the most distal aspect of the tarsometatarsus bone on both legs. Fragments of phalanges and toenails were painstakingly removed from both cavities, leaving the bird with two swollen deformed leg stumps. Euthanasia was considered but postponed pending evaluation of the rooster’s ability to ambulate after treatment with HEALx Soother Plus.    The cavities were flushed with warm saline and dilute chlorhexidine solution. Both cavities were filled, and all surrounding tissues were coated, with Soother Plus and the leg stumps were wrapped with soft cast padding and Vet Wrap bandaging tape. The bandages were changed every other day for 4 weeks and once weekly thereafter. During each bandage change, the stumps were debrided and cleaned with dilute chlorhexidine solution, followed by reapplication of Soother Plus. Meloxicam was continued (0.3 mg/kg PO q24h for 7 days).    Significant healing was observed each week, and the rooster showed increasingly improved ambulation. As each week passed, it relied less and less on its wings for balance. Slowly, the cavities began to close and the soft tissue swelling resolved. By the end of the second week, the rooster was walking well and able to engage in normal, species-specific behaviors, such as foraging in the dirt and courting the hens, albeit without feet.     Although the leg stumps healed completely by the fourth week, enabling the bird to ambulate well, it will require long-term weekly bandaging to protect the fragile skin from the typical farm terrain. “Rudy” will live out its life at Coming Home Animal Sanctuary in Candor, New York with the rest of the rescued chicken companions. Footage of Rudy walking may be seen at: www.youtube.com/user/ComingHomeVideos.