Blu-Kote: What To Know

Blu-Kote/Red-Kote, scarlet oil OR similar products are harsh on wounds, damage tissue and slow healing. They are mainly rubbing alcohol and we all know how great that feels on small cut, let alone a gaping wound.

They delay healing because it damages healthy tissue due to the high alcohol content. These are NOT regulated by the FDA, so honestly who knows what we are getting… They state very clearly on the bottle “Not to be used on animals for human consumption” – this includes eggs – and it has been recalled in Canada due to huge safety concerns.

Furthermore, Blu-kote is mostly gentian violet, sodium propionate ( a mold-inhibiting preservative), and alcohol. Gentian Violet is on the FDA Prohibited Restricted list. As per FARAD: GENTIAN VIOLET – use is prohibited in food or feed of all food-producing animal species (see details).

An alternative approved for poultry sold over the counter is AluShield.

What about Rooster Booster pick no more? This should only be used to prevent pecking/picking and should not be used on open wounds as the Tea Tree Oil in it will still make it very painful. To avoid pecking you can add food coloring to any ointment, however it’s not alway recommended to add coloring as depending on the wound to be able to monitor healing rathen than disguise it.

Recommended treatment: Our vets recommend cleaning with dilute iodine or chlorhexidine for the initial cleaning to help with infection. Subsequent cleanings can be done with saline (or water if the wound is not too bad).

If the bird cannot be isolated and has to remain with the flock, use Alushield to cover the wound. If an ointment is needed the first choice is SSD (silver sulfadiazine, Rx only), then Bacitracin or neosporin WITHOUT lidocaine or any -caine pain relief.

If you have a bird that is being pecked/bullied, ideally the bully would be removed until the situation can be resolved.

http://www.farad.org/prohibited-and-restricted-drugs.html