Bantam Hen Attacked By Small Dog...

[NumbleNuggets]

My bantam hen was attacked by a small dog today. He ripped the skin off of her back- it was horrible. She walked slowly to my fiancee when he found her and eagerly ate food and drank water when offered. Ten hours later, she was still alert and communicative (quiet clicks to say "I love you" or whatever); however, she has been laying quietly and preferring not to move. Now she is sleeping quietly on a towel inside. We cannot afford the huge bill to fix her (a few hundred $, per the vet) or euthanize her (almost $200). Aside from some periodic head shaking I don't understand, it seems like she is on the road to recovery. Is it wrong for me to let her heal if she continues to act like this? I wouldn't want to put her to sleep if there is a chance for recovery within humane limits (I don't want to her to suffer). Thanks for any advice you all can give... I am at a loss.
-NN

 

[Imp]

Here's some good information about wound care. Read the post by three horses

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=203024

Good luck

Imp

 

[crtrlovr]

Chickens are AMAZING healers and can recover from some horrific wounds. I had one whose head and neck were completely denuded of skin, and her skull was exposed. Today the only way one can tell which one she is is by her yellow leg band and a thin "line" scar on the back of her head! Rinse the wound with betadine or generic povidone iodine diluted in water to the color of weak tea. If you don't have any, even saline (weak salt water -- 1 T to a quart of water, boiled to dissolve salt, then allowed to cool to room temp or just lukewarm) will help. Rinse the wound, then cover with antibiotic cream. It probably won't help to bandage it since they're so adept at ripping stuff like that right off, and could do more damage in the process. If there is a VERY large area of skin that has been ripped back, you may be able to stitch it back together using a small sewing needle and thread that has been dipped in peroxide. If it is missing altogether, cover the area with triple antibiotic cream (generic Neosporin) without the pain reliever in it. (if it has an ingredient ending in -"caine" , don't use it on your chickens -- sometimes it can cause a rare but fatal reaction). If the area of skin can be pulled together so the edges meet, try using some pieces of band-aid or butterfly bandages or something of that nature. You can even use superglue. The main thing is to make sure the wound is clean, and keep her protected. Do NOT put her with the others until she heals -- the other chickens will pick at her wound. PLEASE don't euthanize her until and unless you are CERTAIN she will not recover!! Give her the chance she deserves.

 

[NumbleNuggets]

She is still alive, and I sprayed her down with a betadine, saline and water solution, then painted the area with neosporin, as has been suggested. However, now she is shaking (apparently she is cold, since it started after the painting and hasn't stopped), and I am unsure of how she could possibly grow skin back on such a large area and if it's just inhumane to keep her alive. She seems ok, but I don't know how to tell if she is in pain, and I'm sure it's got to hurt. I also put some baby asprin in her water and now she looks like she might be a little stoned or something... her pupils are wavering in diameter and she looks a little paranoid. I'll put in less next time. Please give me opinions on what is most humane here? Thank you so much for any replies!!!

 

[Imp]

I have been amazed at the survival of some horribly hurt chickens. I am so glad I have not yet had to deal with it. My hats off to you. Sounds like you have a handle on it.
I say keep her inside, warm, dim and give her a chance.
The shaking and stoned look sound more like shock to me.

Good luck

Imp