Dog attack injury

[BigBlueHen53]

For future reference: chickens are amazingly tough and can recover from some pretty bad injuries. But I think it's best to leave wounds open (we did when a dog tore up one of our hens). We just flushed the wound twice daily with sterile saline which we made ourselves and put in a spray bottle, and coated it with triple antibiotic ointment. Be sure to use the kind that does not have pain reliever in it, as that is toxic to chickens. It was a really bad wound but she was good as new in about three weeks. We kept her in the house in a dog crate. Good luck with yours, hope she recovers as well!

 

[Chickchicknewbie]

For future reference: chickens are amazingly tough and can recover from some pretty bad injuries. But I think it's best to leave wounds open (we did when a dog tore up one of our hens). We just flushed the wound twice daily with sterile saline which we made ourselves and put in a spray bottle, and coated it with triple antibiotic ointment. Be sure to use the kind that does not have pain reliever in it, as that is toxic to chickens. It was a really bad wound but she was good as new in about three weeks. We kept her in the house in a dog crate. Good luck with yours, hope she recovers as well!

You could see her insides so we panicked and quickly closed it up...I will most definitely keep that in mind and if it (fingers crossed it doesn't ) happens again will not make the same mistake. I hope we haven't messed up too badly by closing it up. I sincerely appreciate your input, it made me feel much better about her chances. Should I still be putting antibiotic ointment on it or is it best to keep it dry?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Dog got my blue copper marans today, I managed to retrieve her thankfully. Upon closer inspection ( not by me, I'm far too squeamish) we found she had a few wounds on her back between her wings. Apparently one of them was pretty deep. Hubby managed to calm her down and all we had on hand was super glue to patch her up quickly. We sprayed her with the purple spray stuff and I've got her in a dark quiet room with food and water at the moment. I've given her gamebird starter(unmedicated) as it's 28% protein. Haven't checked if she's eaten or drank yet because I figured I'd give her some time to settle instead of stressing her out more. Is there anything else I can give her or do for her to make her more comfortable? I've got poultry electrolytes and a vitamin solution on hand. I've been feeling sick to my stomach all day thinking about her and worrying if she's suffering. She's only 20ish weeks old. Did I do the right thing by trying to help her or am I just making it worse? I feel horrible about what happened.

Oh I am so sorry that happened . I very recently lost two birds to a dog attack, I hope your girl makes it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You could see her insides so we panicked and quickly closed it up

oh I don't blame you at all! It was the same with our hen, this big gaping wound on her back. I wanted to put her down immediately! But we came here and asked questions and did what we were advised by the Educators, and thank goodness for them!

...I will most definitely keep that in mind and if it (fingers crossed it doesn't ) happens again will not make the same mistake. I hope we haven't messed up too badly by closing it up. I sincerely appreciate your input, it made me feel much better about her chances.

Yes, don't be discouraged, she has good chances.

Should I still be putting antibiotic ointment on it or is it best to keep it dry?

This I don't know bc of the glue. Let's get @Eggcessive back in here and see what she thinks.

 

[Faithjo]

I had a dog attack one of my hens pretty bad a while back, thankfully before the flies came out so I didn’t have to worry about that. I used blu Kote and vetericyn on her wounds and she is doing great! She limped for a while, and it looked pretty bad. Chickens can actually survive a lot more than I thought they could. She is a full grown hen though. I think I might’ve gave her some antibiotics but I don’t remember for sure anymore. I hope she recovers well!

 

[Chickchicknewbie]

Oh I am so sorry that happened . I very recently lost two birds to a dog attack, I hope your girl makes it.

Im sorry to hear about your birds, it's awful when something like that happens wish you all the best in the future!
I really hope so too, she only just recently became part of the flock along with her sister, they are 2 very special girls, last few survivors of a very good bloodline...lady that bred them lost everything in a fire not too long ago

 

[Chickchicknewbie]

oh I don't blame you at all! It was the same with our hen, this big gaping wound on her back. I wanted to put her down immediately! But we came here and asked questions and did what we were advised by the Educators, and thank goodness for them!


Yes, don't be discouraged, she has good chances.

This I don't know bc of the glue. Let's get @Eggcessive back in here and see what she thinks.

I really appreciate you all sharing your knowledge and experiences, means a lot!

 

[Chickchicknewbie]

I had a dog attack one of my hens pretty bad a while back, thankfully before the flies came out so I didn’t have to worry about that. I used blu Kote and vetericyn on her wounds and she is doing great! She limped for a while, and it looked pretty bad. Chickens can actually survive a lot more than I thought they could. She is a full grown hen though. I think I might’ve gave her some antibiotics but I don’t remember for sure anymore. I hope she recovers well!

Thank you for sharing that. They are resilient little creatures aren't they!
I just wish I wasn't so squeamish about that type of stuff, luckily I've got help around so it still gets done.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This I don't know bc of the glue. Let's get @Eggcessive back in here and see what she thinks.

Eggcessive hasn't come back yet and even though I don't know for absolute sure, I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you what *I* would do. But you use your own judgment, okay? And if she says different, by all means, please listen to her, she is an Educator and I am not.

But I would coat the wound with Neosporin twice a day. Keep it moist. But don't bandage it. Watch for flies. Watch for heat, redness, swelling, oozing and a foul smell. All those are signs of infection. Otherwise all she needs is time and her regular diet, clean water and grit.

 

[Chickchicknewbie]

Eggcessive hasn't come back yet and even though I don't know for absolute sure, I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you what *I* would do. But you use your own judgment, okay? And if she says different, by all means, please listen to her, she is an Educator and I am not.

But I would coat the wound with Neosporin twice a day. Keep it moist. But don't bandage it. Watch for flies. Watch for heat, redness, swelling, oozing and a foul smell. All those are signs of infection. Otherwise all she needs is time and her regular diet, clean water and grit.

She's in a dog crate in my walk in wardrobe so don't think any flies will get to her thankfully. I don't think we have Neosporin in australia? I've got betadine on hand if that would be okay instead, I'm really not sure. Also any tips/info on pain relief for her?