Dog Attack!

[Manda521]

Hello, my little girl got attacked by a dog! I have been nursing her back to health the past couple of days and have her inside with me in a kennel. One wound is pretty bad all broken skin but this one is a hole and this morning it was all black. Is that normal? I've been cleaning regularly, using Silver honey and vetericyn. The other bites are looking like they are healing but I don't know what else to do about this one. I've tried wrapping it and she just picks off the wrap. Does she need antibiotics? I don't have anything but a wilco semi close to me. Called vets and they won't take her which suprised me, since we live so rural. Any advice would be appreciated, never dealt with a wound like this and I feel like I've looked through other threads and am doing the things but worry it isn't enough.

Thanks in advanced!

 

[MotherofOrpies]

You have to watch out there isn’t puss accumulating under that crust! I would try to soften it up with some salve and after it is loose, carefully try to look under it, it maybe only a scab, but as I said, sometimes puss hides behind it

 

[Manda521]

You have to watch out there isn’t puss accumulating under that crust! I would try to soften it up with some salve and after it is loose, carefully try to look under it, it maybe only a scab, but as I said, sometimes puss hides behind it

No puss I can see, but will this eventually close on its own?

 

[PNWskye]

No puss I can see, but will this eventually close on its own?

Slowly. How’s she doing?

 

[alinas2010]

I agree, this should eventually close on its own if infection can be avoided. Typical would care would consist of cleansing twice daily with either saline or a wound spray and then slathering with a triple antibiotic ointment. The wound should be kept moist at all times with the ointment to promote healing. Covering it is not necessary since it will be covered with ointment.

Ensure that the ointment has no pain relief in it as those ingredients are poisonous to poultry.

 

[dawg53]

I recommend that you get your hen started on Amoxicillin 250mg twice a day for no more than 7 days. I also recommend that the order should be expedited shipping. Here's where you can order it:
https://jedds.com/products/amoxicillin-capsules?_pos=1&_sid=7084d2db4&_ss=r

 

[Manda521]

Slowly. How’s she doing?

Much better! It's healing, slowly but now I'm more worried anout her walking. When she first got hurt I checked for breaks and didn't feel any but now I'm thinking it's more of a dislocation maybe...im not sure. She's still I the house with me and she is definitely moving around better than she was but her leg still isn't right. Picture of her heing process and picture of her stance right now.

 

[Manda521]

I agree, this should eventually close on its own if infection can be avoided. Typical would care would consist of cleansing twice daily with either saline or a wound spray and then slathering with a triple antibiotic ointment. The wound should be kept moist at all times with the ointment to promote healing. Covering it is not necessary since it will be covered with ointment.

Ensure that the ointment has no pain relief in it as those ingredients are poisonous to poultry.

Thank you! Ive been doing this and it's working great. I did but a saddle on her though for the first week to keep her from messing with the wound but now she isn't wearing it and leaves it alone. The triple antibiotic ointment has been a life saver!

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you! Ive been doing this and it's working great. I did but a saddle on her though for the first week to keep her from messing with the wound but now she isn't wearing it and leaves it alone. The triple antibiotic ointment has been a life saver!

Much better! It's healing, slowly but now I'm more worried anout her walking. When she first got hurt I checked for breaks and didn't feel any but now I'm thinking it's more of a dislocation maybe...im not sure. She's still I the house with me and she is definitely moving around better than she was but her leg still isn't right. Picture of her heing process and picture of her stance right now.

She’s looking better, I’m so happy to hear she is feeling better, too! Make sure she is getting plenty of protein for healing. Is she eating okay? Do you bring in a friend for her to visit with once a day or every other day? That can help with healing and appetite even.

Sorry to hear about her leg.
Is she able to put weight on it? Is it a dislocation up at the hip do you think? Or a break?

Sometimes there is not much that can be done about breaks, especially this far down the road after. But a lot of the times chickens can get a long quite fine with the way they heal without intervention. She may still have a lot of healing to do and she may surprise you with how much the leg does get more “normal”. Hopefully that is the case. If not, hopefully she adapts okay.

Trying to splint it is an option if it’s a break in a leg bone, but a lot of times that can cause more issues than it fixes. If it’s at the hip, like a dislocation, I’m not quite sure what direction to go, but I can try to see what I can find for resources

 

[Manda521]

She’s looking better, I’m so happy to hear she is feeling better, too! Make sure she is getting plenty of protein for healing. Is she eating okay? Do you bring in a friend for her to visit with once a day or every other day? That can help with healing and appetite even.

Sorry to hear about her leg.
Is she able to put weight on it? Is it a dislocation up at the hip do you think? Or a break?

Sometimes there is not much that can be done about breaks, especially this far down the road after. But a lot of the times chickens can get a long quite fine with the way they heal without intervention. She may still have a lot of healing to do and she may surprise you with how much the leg does get more “normal”. Hopefully that is the case. If not, hopefully she adapts okay.

Trying to splint it is an option if it’s a break in a leg bone, but a lot of times that can cause more issues than it fixes. If it’s at the hip, like a dislocation, I’m not quite sure what direction to go, but I can try to see what I can find for resources

Thank you! She eats well and drinks, I've been making her eggs in the morning when I make my sons breakfast lol. I take her out to visit with the rest of the flock (supervised) every once in a while and they do great. She hobbles and limps around. But doesn't seem to care as much as I do. She's very bonded with another chicken that looks just like her so I wanted to make sure they knew the other is still here! I don't feel any breaks or a slipped tendon she just doesn't want to put weight on it but has been trying to use it more so fingers crossed she just needs more time. I might try and splint it just to help keep it in a more normal position. She let's me move it around no problem and she will stand normal if I put it in that position...