Dog bite

[amccann]

Good morning fellow fowl keepers!
My kelpie grabbed one of my hens yesterday like the nose on one of the steers and she’s pretty roughed up (degloved back of neck and puncture on left chest in front of wing) so yesterday afternoon she came inside to the hospital aka kitchen/living room. Washed her whole body to rid her of dog slobber and mud and then diluted betadine on the wounds. Vetricyn spray post betadine, antibiotic ointment after I got her out of the sink and started drying. NutriDrench given after her bath while we sat on the couch and stayed warm. No poop since she’s been inside, I can only get her to drink if I dip the tip of her beak in water. Zero interest in feed. I have tried dry crumble and soaked crumble for added fluid intake. Breathing this morning is labored. There are no poultry vets in my vicinity. Thoughts? Input? I’ve had some pretty bad bird wounds over the years, but never had one not take to food after an overnight.

 

[Eggcessive]

Pictures are welcome. I have had a few hens chased and roughed up by dogs in the past, and the one with no marks died from internal injuries. She may be in shock now, so keep offering sugar water (1 tsp per cup) or electrolytes up to her beak and dip it. Soft egg with water, soft watery feed, etc as you have been doing may eventually be taken. The wound spray and antibiotic should be used twice a day. I hope that she perks up soon. Keep us updated on how she is doing.

 

[amccann]

Pictures are welcome. I have had a few hens chased and roughed up by dogs in the past, and the one with no marks died from internal injuries. She may be in shock now, so keep offering sugar water (1 tsp per cup) or electrolytes up to her beak and dip it. Soft egg with water, soft watery feed, etc as you have been doing may eventually be taken. The wound spray and antibiotic should be used twice a day. I hope that she perks up soon. Keep us updated on how she is doing.

I don’t have any real great pictures as she doesn’t like to extend her neck out. I have been keeping the ointment on it to keep her back skin from sticking to the exposed neck muscle tissue. She has had a few sips of NutriDrench water through the day. Still no poop. Coming up on the 24 hour mark since the incident. Breathing doesn’t appear as labored now and she will stand when I reach under her now instead of laying there like a loaf of feathered bread. Still not going for food, offered a small variety of egg, wet and dry crumble. This hen hasn’t ever let me touch her, EVER, and she’s 3, so she might be a bit shocky about the experience as a whole. Still optimistic that she may get perky.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would consider moving her crate (with food and water.) to the coop or run where she can visit with other chickens, but be protected from pecking the wound. She might appreciate seeing other chickens. It also may make her want to eat. Her little friend who is keeping her company is sweet. Is she a regular layer? You could try a human calcium tablet or Tums orally in case she is possibly egg bound. Her not pooping is probably do to her not eating and drinking, but egg bound hens may not poop.

 

[amccann]

I would consider moving her crate (with food and water.) to the coop or run where she can visit with other chickens, but be protected from pecking the wound. She might appreciate seeing other chickens. It also may make her want to eat. Her little friend who is keeping her company is sweet. Is she a regular layer? You could try a human calcium tablet or Tums orally in case she is possibly egg bound. Her not pooping is probably do to her not eating and drinking, but egg bound hens may not poop.

She’s in a dog crate, she just was wrapped in a towel on the couch after I bathed her but then I had to clean the sink and my little man hung out with her on the couch while she got dry. She is very asocial as far as other birds goes. She does lay but has always either been infrequent or is the chief egg eater. I would put her out with the other birds, the other birds are turkeys though and I have no doubt they’d mug her for lunch money. Shady bunch, those turks. I have tried tums now, we will see how she goes.

 

[amccann]

She is eating and drinking

 

[amccann]

Eating, drinking, pooping, growling at me for thinking I have any right to touch her, doctored on, fresh bedding. Looking good

 

[EvieChickenGirl]

That's good. Keep monitoring her wound and also is she an only chicken? I also recomend making her some herb tea. That always calms my chickens down when they are injured and also helps them heal. The photo with the chicken and your son is soooo cutee!!

 

[amccann]

Made it to day two- she’s drinking NutriDrench in her 2nd 8 oz bowl of water today and eating crumble, egg and water soaked feed. Wound is ugly at this stage but aside from the trauma and bruising, the tissue is looking good. Continuing antibiotic ointment and vetricyn 2x a day before ointment application. Hoping to see some granulation start by Monday.

 

[EvieChickenGirl]

Yeah. It takes chickens a while for them to heal. Keep doing what your doing you'll start seeing improvement. It's so great to have people like you in this world that don't just see an injured chicken and then cull it, instead you have been treating her and dedicating your time. Keep up the good work!!!