ADVICE PLEASE - Dog Attack! Wound on vent... graphic picture...

[Mirandah11]

Hello,
My poor girl was attacked by a young dog today - being taken care of by a rather clueless 'dog sitter' and he thought it'd be a good ratter so brought it into the field (he's a friend of a friend with little cash). It forced its way into the chicken run (I was just finishing up care and had not fastened the bottom 'bolt' yet) and gots its teeth into 8 year old Maeve.

I have her at home now, and have bathed her (and discovered that the lice have been having a party since I last treated them) and put a mix of aloe vera and tea tree oil around the vent area. It's still oozing blood. I haven't found any other wounds - feather protection, I suppose. She's eating, but obviously in some pain (keeps pooping little bits). Unfortunately the vet is not really an option. Hoping self healing mechanisms will kick in. She's quite relaxed at mine, and after eating, has gone into the cat box with bedding in to recoup. Any extra way of helping her and advice would be very welcome - thanks!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

It is great that she is eating and drinking some, so that means she is not in shock. A potential infection of the wound is the greatest risk to her life. Although aloe vera is great for burns and tea tree oil helps with skin irritations, a wound from a bite requires true medical grade disinfectants like cleaning the wound with betadine or iodine solution. The wound can even be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide once (repeated cleanings with hydrogen peroxide can damage the skin though). Hibbiscrub is another option that is available in the UK. After cleaning medical professionals will often pack wounds with triple antibiotic ointment. So when my hen was slashed open by a hawk, I slathered on the first aid antibiotic ointment everyday. Even with all this, a puncture wound can get infected, and the first sign is a change in smell. In the U.S. farm stores carry injectable antibiotics for livestock without a vet prescription, but I don't know how available something like penicillin is in the UK.

Chickens can really heal well if they don't get an infection of the wound. I hope your chicken does well.

 

[Mirandah11]

Thanks for your reply - sadly, it being a Sunday evening here, and me only having a limited first aid kit (tsk), tea tree oil is my best option. I do have some hydrogen peroxide but am reluctant to use it on this wound because the skin would be so very sensitive. Seems the dog must have done some internal damage a bit or something. (see new pic) Tea tree oil is antibacterial and antifungal - and has a strong history of being beneficial against infections - so hopefully it will be a good start. She's oozing quite a bit of dark, clotted blood (which I have mostly cleaned away in the pic (with warm water with Tea tree in) - it was hanging down rather than doing the job of immediately clotting the wound.) Hard to clean off the excretions further below, so focusing on the wound. Next up, should she pull through, is a thorough de-lousing! Feel like a negligent chicken mum, but life has been rather overwhelming of late... Do hope she makes it the dear ol' girl.

 

[Eggcessive]

Tea tree oil is not good for chickens if it is undiluted. I would flush out the wound with plain water if you have a sprayer on your faucet. This is going to be a tough wound to heal since it is around the vent. Epsom salts for warm shallow soaks to her bottom would probably help keep her clean. Flies and maggots may be a bigger problems, so I would advise keeping her where they can get to her, although you may not have that much of a problem with them where you live. Probiotics, and good food with some egg would be good for her. Antibiotics such as the penicillins or Baytril would be good if a vet is available to prescribe tomorrow. Good wishes for your hen.

 

[Mirandah11]

Thank you. I applied the Tea Tree oil externally only, and then either diluted with aloe vera gel, or water (when cleaning). Her vent is swelling up rather alarmingly and I'm hoping that it is part of the healing process, rather than indication of fatal injuries. Poor girl, she must be so uncomfortable. Don't know if the dog caused internal injuries. Hope she's not suffering too much - she's warm and safe in our bathroom - in a bedded cat box with access to walk out into the towel covered bath should she want to. Will have to re-evaluate in the morning to see if she's improving or getting worse. I appreciate your input, very much. x

 

[Eggcessive]

Maeve probably doesn't lay eggs anymore, but if she does I would place her in a dark room or cover her cage for 16 hours a day to prevent her from laying. Since her vent is damaged badly, if she gets really bad or infected in a few days, I would probably put her down. But chickens have an amazing way of recovering from wounds. This one is just in a bad area, unfortunately. Good luck with her.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Poor old girl. The swelling at this point is probably a normal reaction to the wound. I hope the bleeding stops soon. Let us know how she is in the morning.

 

[Mirandah11]

Thanks for your input, everyone. Maeve seems to be doing okay. She's quite perky even though her rear end still looks a bit sore with the inside sticking out a wee bit. No longer bleeding, all looking healthy around the wound (except for the inside out bit). Got her in a wee pen of her own in my garden for now, away from her feathered friends who may peck her backside! She's eating and drinking as usual, and curious about her (rather enclosed) surroundings. Positive sign. =)

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm glad she stopped bleeding and alert and eating. The sticking out bit sounds like a little prolapse perhaps related to the swelling in that area. At least you don't have to worry about her laying eggs at here age probably.

 

[Mirandah11]

Not sure whether or not she's an egg layer - we have nine hens aged 8yrs and three 1 yr olds (who keep going broody). We get 5 - 10 eggs a day. Couldn't say if Maeve is one of the elder layers though. Hopefully she'll not lay at least for a bit - the scare of the dog attack and the resulting discomfort will likely prove to be 'eggus interuptus' circumstances.

Her poop today is dark and liquidy... still perky though. Will be time for another bottom bath this evening.

Blessings,
M