6 week chick attacked by feral cat

[theoldchick]

Chickens can go in shock very quickly and often that is what kills them. In the veterinary world chickens who come in like this are given injections to treat stress and pain and then placed in a device much like a baby incubator which supplies warm moist heat along with oxygen. We give them an hour or so to stabilize before addressing other needs. Now if the patient is actively bleeding the veterinarian makes the call about further treatment. And if he/she decides to go further, all treatment takes place in the baby incubator as the goal is to keep the bird oxygenated while treated. If the bird struggles, gas anesthesia may be applied via face mask, and the treatment is performed while the patient is asleep.

Injured Avian patients are difficult to treat because it seems they are hardwired to drop dead when stressed and in pain. Rabbits are like that, too.

I wish the very best for your chicken. Good luck.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Trap and dispatch the cats so this does not happen again. Sorry you are going through this.

Gary

 

[reddpepper86]

Wow, so sorry. How's she doing this morning?

Well she's alive. She still doesn't look very good but I'm sure that's expected. I am really surprised she survived the night though! I'm running into to town this morning to stock up on a few supplies for her and hopefully it'll help her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Glad to hear she is still going.

Please keep us posted.

 

[reddpepper86]

Trap and dispatch the cats so this does not happen again. Sorry you are going through this.

Gary

Agreed! That's on my To Do list this morning - trap the cat!

 

[reddpepper86]

Glad to hear she is still going.

Please keep us posted.

Will do!

 

[reddpepper86]

Well Pearl (our injured chickee) is perking up a bit! I got some electrolytes into her, gave her wounds another cleaning, bandage change and recommended medication. She is now walking, and eating some food! So theres hope yet!

Next step for today is trapping the cat that's caused this mess and taking a trip to the shelter.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/yikes-large-wound-on-hen.1141144/#post-17736677

If you want to give that a read feel free. It’s a thread I started about sugar for wounds. Honey is another favorite, depending on wound location. I was amazed at how well it worked.

 

[deepbluesea]

I'm glad she made it through the night! Last fall one of my hens got attacked by a red-tailed hawk. She has a large neck wound similar to the one you posted. It took a couple of weeks, but she's good as new now, and laying like a champ at 5 years old! I hope your little one does the same.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well Pearl (our injured chickee) is perking up a bit! I got some electrolytes into her, gave her wounds another cleaning, bandage change and recommended medication. She is now walking, and eating some food! So theres hope yet!

Next step for today is trapping the cat that's caused this mess and taking a trip to the shelter.

This sounds promising!