Chicken attacked by dog

[Lmweir]

Neighbours chicken was attacked by their dog & I’m just seeking advice to best care for it as they refuse to take to vet. Still alert & eating/drinking but has a large piece of skin missing on her back. I have chlorine a dine soaking on it atm but not sure it can even heal with all the skin gone? Any suggestions please?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It can heal. I don't know what that is you have on it. Wash the wound with sterile saline solution, best by spraying it with a spray bottle. Gently blot dry with a clean towel. Then coat the wound with a triple antibiotic ointment that does not contain pain reliever, as that is toxic to chickens. Keep the wound moist but don't cover it. Do this twice daily. Also treat her for shock by giving her some electrolyte water or sugar water: 1 tsp sugar, a pinch of baking sida and a pinch of salt dissolved in 1 cup warm water. Hold it up to her beak to drink. Keep her in a warm, dark place for a bit but if you can keep her in a dog crate where she can see her mates that would be good. Protect her from flies. Feed her regular feed but she might like it wet into a mash.

 

[Lmweir]

It can heal. I don't know what that is you have on it. Wash the wound with sterile saline solution, best by spraying it with a spray bottle. Gently blot dry with a clean towel. Then coat the wound with a triple antibiotic ointment that does not contain pain reliever, as that is toxic to chickens. Keep the wound moist but don't cover it. Do this twice daily. Also treat her for shock by giving her some electrolyte water or sugar water: 1 tsp sugar, a pinch of baking sida and a pinch of salt dissolved in 1 cup warm water. Hold it up to her beak to drink. Keep her in a warm, dark place for a bit but if you can keep her in a dog crate where she can see her mates that would be good. Protect her from flies. Feed her regular feed but she might like it wet into a mash.

Thanks for that! Spellcheck got me it’s chlorhexadine that I’ve been spraying on the open wound.
So when you say painkillers are toxic…I have liquid tramadol that was used for my lizard & thought that might help with any pain. Should I not give her this? I also have wound gel to help heal & an antibiotic neomycin powder as I’m not sure I can get the triple antibiotic powder here. I’m hoping this will do the trick?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm not familiar with some of those products. Are you not in the US? Can you get petroleum jelly? I think you definitely want an ointment to coat the wound, not a powder, to keep the tissues moist so they don't dry out. Let me tag in some of our Educators to see if they can guide here. @Eggcessive, @azygous, @coach723 should be able to help. What is the name of the wound gel? I don't know if the Tramadol is safe, but the Educators should know. Does she act like she is in pain? Is she still eating, drinking, etc.?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Neighbours chicken was attacked by their dog & I’m just seeking advice to best care for it as they refuse to take to vet. Still alert & eating/drinking but has a large piece of skin missing on her back. I have chlorine a dine soaking on it atm but not sure it can even heal with all the skin gone? Any suggestions please?

Thanks for that! Spellcheck got me it’s chlorhexadine that I’ve been spraying on the open wound.
So when you say painkillers are toxic…I have liquid tramadol that was used for my lizard & thought that might help with any pain. Should I not give her this? I also have wound gel to help heal & an antibiotic neomycin powder as I’m not sure I can get the triple antibiotic powder here. I’m hoping this will do the trick?

Can you post photos of the wounds?

If you have given the wound a good cleaning with the Chlorhexidine, apply your wound gel (What do you have, Vetericyn? photo?) to the wound.

You mention having Neomycin Powder, I assume that goes in the drinking water? I wouldn't use that for treatment, it's been a while since I've even seen that and usually it's used to treat Chronic Respiratory Disease or Enteritis in Poultry.

IF the wound does become infected, I'd use Amoxicillin, but generally if a wound is given daily care, an oral antibiotic is usually not needed.

 

[Lmweir]

Can you post photos of the wounds?

If you have given the wound a good cleaning with the Chlorhexidine, apply your wound gel (What do you have, Vetericyn? photo?) to the wound.

You mention having Neomycin Powder, I assume that goes in the drinking water? I wouldn't use that for treatment, it's been a while since I've even seen that and usually it's used to treat Chronic Respiratory Disease or Enteritis in Poultry.

IF the wound does become infected, I'd use Amoxicillin, but generally if a wound is given daily care, an oral antibiotic is usually not needed.

I’m in Australia. I didn’t realise this is a US site, I know we have access to different medications so it’s a bit difficult.
She’s only around 6-8 weeks old & should be stressed but she’s actually still very active & is eating & drinking quite a lot.
I will attach photos of the wound gel & the wound. I’m just spraying chlorhexadine on it every few hours & now putting on the wound gel. I will not do anymore of the neomycin or tramadol as she doesn’t seem to be in pain or have an infection. Thanks for your advice, much appreciated!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sorry, it's a global site really, I just happen to be in the US so I'm not familiar with what items you can get, but there are others on here that probably are. It helps to put your general location in your profile, it helps us help you. I'm glad she's doing better. I had a hen with a similar but much deeper injury, much muscle was lost, but she healed just fine. Chickens are tough and amazing. Your hen's wound will heal from the outer edges in toward the center.

 

[coach723]

If that ointment is what you have, then use that, reapply as needed to keep the wound covered in it and moist. When it starts scabbing you can also use petroleum jelly. If feathers are getting in the wound you can trim them back with a small pair of scissors to help keep it clean. The feathers will eventually grow back. Make sure she's in a place that flies cannot get to the wound until it's healed up. Eating and drinking are all good signs. They can recover from some pretty terrible wounds sometimes, as long as there is no infection. I will link to a thread that has some pictures of wounds healing, may help to know what it may look like during the process.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wounds-pictures-of-how-they-heal.1325817/#post-21627607

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry, this was written yesterday PM, but I forgot to post it:
I would not use Tramadol. Chlorhexidene 2% is good for wounds, as well as saline. Our neosporin ointment has neomycin in it. What type of antiseptic ointment or cream do you use on human wounds there? Can you show a picture of the wound gel? What is your location? Do you have any pictures of the wounds to show us? Most full thickness wounds will eventually come together in weeks. She needs to be separated and away from flies. Can you place her in a wire dog crate with food and water, but have some visits with her flock?