4 day old dog bite wound care

[ChelseaHungry]

Hi! I looked for information on this site related to my question, but couldn’t find anything.

I had a chicken attacked by a stray dog 4 days ago, and I have been administering first aid as follows:
-Isolation
-Electrolytes
-Flushing with antiseptic twice a day
-Bacitracin on wound twice a day
-Gauze covering wound to prevent pecking

My question is - should I let her peck the dried skin off to expose the healthy skin, or keep it covered?

This picture was taken yesterday. It doesn’t seem oozy or infected, but I’m not sure how to proceed here.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi! I looked for information on this site related to my question, but couldn’t find anything.

I had a chicken attacked by a stray dog 4 days ago, and I have been administering first aid as follows:
-Isolation
-Electrolytes
-Flushing with antiseptic twice a day
-Bacitracin on wound twice a day
-Gauze covering wound to prevent pecking

My question is - should I let her peck the dried skin off to expose the healthy skin, or keep it covered?View attachment 2478212
This picture was taken yesterday. It doesn’t seem oozy or infected, but I’m not sure how to proceed here.
Thanks for any advice.

Is she picking at it?
I would continue to care for it like you are doing. Keep the wound moist with the Bacitracin or plain Neosporin.
IF she's not picking at it, leave it uncovered, otherwise cover it like you have been.

Is she eating/drinking o.k.?

 

[ChelseaHungry]

Is she picking at it?
I would continue to care for it like you are doing. Keep the wound moist with the Bacitracin or plain Neosporin.
IF she's not picking at it, leave it uncovered, otherwise cover it like you have been.

Is she eating/drinking o.k.?

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, she is eating and drinking fine. She wants out of isolation, but I'm not convinced it's time.
Yes, she is picking at it aggressively, like as soon as I unwrap she goes nuts on it. This is making me think that it's either super itchy/irritated or the dry/dead skin needs to come off. But, I don't want to make anything worse.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, she is eating and drinking fine. She wants out of isolation, but I'm not convinced it's time.
Yes, she is picking at it aggressively, like as soon as I unwrap she goes nuts on it. This is making me think that it's either super itchy/irritated or the dry/dead skin needs to come off. But, I don't want to make anything worse.

It's probably super itchy, you may need to apply your ointment a few times a day. If the wound is staying clean, then ointment may be all you need to do instead of applying an anti-septic which can be drying.

I would definitely keep it covered if she's picking at it.

 

[SulkyBantam]

It's probably super itchy, you may need to apply your ointment a few times a day. If the wound is staying clean, then ointment may be all you need to do instead of applying an anti-septic which can be drying.

I would definitely keep it covered if she's picking at it.

I agree. Good on you for dealing with this so competently.

 

[ChelseaHungry]

I agree. Good on you for dealing with this so competently.

Thank you both!

I'm reluctant to give up the antiseptic because I'm worried about infection. A visit to the avian vet isn't an option.
But, if the bacteria from the dog's mouth was going to be an issue, I would already see signs of infection, right?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you both!

I'm reluctant to give up the antiseptic because I'm worried about infection. A visit to the avian vet isn't an option.
But, if the bacteria from the dog's mouth was going to be an issue, I would already see signs of infection, right?

You may see infection much later, but it looks like it's healing well.
There's no hard and fast rule to give up the antiseptic, if you feel it's better to continue using it until the wounds close up more, then do it, just keep the wound covered so she's not picking at it.

 

[ChelseaHungry]

You may see infection much later, but it looks like it's healing well.
There's no hard and fast rule to give up the antiseptic, if you feel it's better to continue using it until the wounds close up more, then do it, just keep the wound covered so she's not picking at it.

That makes me feel better - thanks so much.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That makes me feel better - thanks so much.

You've got this!
Keep us posted on how she's doing.

 

[ChelseaHungry]

You've got this!
Keep us posted on how she's doing.

Will Do!