Are we doing everything right?

[Studio2770]

Our chicken, Amelia got into the neighbor's yard and their dog got to her. She has several cuts on her back and shoulder. We loaded them up with hydrogen peroxide and some petroleum jelly. We saw her meat.

We put her in a large dog kennel with bedding, food, and water with vitamins and electrolytes. She's in our garage currently. Since it's chilly and she has exposed areas, we put a small heater in front of the kennel. Any suggestions on what we can do?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin to apply to the wounds daily. Look for any puncture wounds from teeth--you might want to reopen any that have closed up and scabbed over because those tend to abscess in 2-3 days. An antibiotic such as amoxicillin or clavamox from your vet might be helpful. Keeping the wounds clean, watching for infection, and keeping her safe are the important things, and it sounds like you are doing well. Tempt her with a few high protein snacks like eggs in addition to her feed.

 

[Studio2770]

I think we have Neosporin or a generic brand. We found puncture wounds and soaked hydrogen peroxide on them and then put petroleum jelly on them. We may get antibiotics. We got plenty of eggs. She's acting well. We moved her to the patio so she could see the backyard and she wanted to come out! I turned the kennel so she wouldn't see the backyard so she could take it easy. Thanks for the advice! Any more is appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

It's hard to keep puncture wounds from scabbing over, but if you can open them twice a day for 2 days, and keep neosporin on them, you may be able to prevent the abscesses. A QTip and peroxide for those two days is your best bet.

 

[Studio2770]

There is an area where we can see muscle with some detached skin. I don't have a photo at the moment but do you think we should have the area stitched somehow?

 

[Eggcessive]

These type wounds amazingly heal pretty well, and I would not normally stitch up a dirty bite would, unless you had a vet do it.

 

[Studio2770]

Wow. Chickens are quite unique animals. It's more of a flap of skin rather than loose skin. Would she be fine with a heater since it's chilly outside?

 

[Studio2770]

Will she still lay?

 

[Wyandottes7]

Will she still lay?

It depends on how stressed out she is. The attack may have stressed her out enough for her to stop laying temporarily. But, as long as she isn't internally injured, she should lay again.

 

[Eggcessive]

Wow. Chickens are quite unique animals. It's more of a flap of skin rather than loose skin. Would she be fine with a heater since it's chilly outside?

I wouldn't overheat her, but adding a little extra heat might help. You want her to be able to go back outside to the flock in a couple of weeks. She may lay or because of the stress, take some time off.