A Bobcat hurt my hen

[laverne34]

I need some advice....a bobcat reached it's paw through my fence and hurt one of my hens neck, it's very bruised and she also has a claw mark on her leg. I took her to the avian vet and they stapled her leg and now she's not eating much at all. The bobcat ripped off the outer layer of chicken wire I have wrapped around the pen and then it was able to stick it's paw through the larger wire. I've secured the pen but now I'm afraid I'm going to lose this hen. She's been drinking water and I'm also giving her some pedialyte. She only drinks if I hold it up for her. She doesn't have much interest in eating although I did get some babyfood and she just ate only 5 bites of creamed corn with rice. I'd appreciate any advice. The vet is telling me that they don't know if her crop has been damaged. When will I see improvement if any?? This happened 6 days ago. I'm keeping her in a dog crate inside the house while I'm nursing her back to health.

 

[redhen]

Ouch! poor thing! Did you see the bob cat?

 

[laverne34]

I've seen the bobcat around, but I didn't see it happen.

 

[jqs birds]

The bobcat will keep trying until you get rid of him. They are persistent. Fortunately they are easy to trap too.

 

[laverne34]

They're all over the place out here and this is the first time I've had a problem. We've really reinforced the pen so I'm hopeful this will keep it's paws out. I'm just hoping I can nurse her back...she's my best layer.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

Not eating could be a sign of pain. Are you giving her any kind of pain reliever? You might want to try it, and if her appetite increases, that could be the problem. Besides not eating, how does she behave, what's her activity level?

 

[chickenzoo]

Put vitamins in her water, and feed her scrambled eggs or warm canned dog food. You might have to keep putting pieces in her mouth until she swallows. Keeping her hydrated and eating is key. Also for pain use baby aspirin. Search on here for the exact amount .

 

[mdbokc]

electric fence time....hope she heals.

 

[Plain Old Dee]

Check her for fever - cat's claws (and bobcats are no different) harbor incredible amounts of bacteria. I had a dog tangle with a bobcat. He developed a huge abcess where he was clawed and "cat scratch fever." We nearly lost him. That's also the only time I ever saw a vet get sick at the sight of a wound - it was pretty horrible - and smelly!

 

[laverne34]

Thanks for all the advice....I've been giving her antibiotic injections twice daily for possible infection....and she's drinking pedialyte. She's really doing good with drinking. As for the eating...I tried scrambled eggs and couldn't get her to eat a bite....I did get some baby food and she seems to like that. I will get some canned dog food too. I'll make a trip to the store for some baby aspirin....She's supposed to go see the vet again tomorrow...they told me there's no way to tell if her crop has been damaged. Does anyone out there have any experience with this??