bf's dog attacked a hen...

[FarmGirlNE]

What do y'all think the likely hood of this hen healing up would be?

One of our hens got into the dog kennel today, I guess I came outside just in time... although I almost wish the dog had killed her instead of making her suffer...

She's got 3 puncture wounds I found, from the dog's teeth... the ones near her neck had bits of corn stuck in them, we're a bit worried that the dog punctured her esophagus and the food was coming out? but once I cleaned it up those wounds seem sorta ok... I actually had to tie gauze around her to bandage it up and keep it clean...

She's got another puncture wound on her butt, right above her anus... and her anus has a deep cut at the side, but it stopped bleeding at least...

Also, one of her legs is broken, the bone is completely snapped in two, which we put a brace on and taped up and she is walking on it but limping.

I don't have much hope for her... especially when I checked on her later and she had pooped out some kind of think yellow stuff... not runny at all, very thick and smooth...??

But she acts ok... she is getting around a bit, and still alive to my surprise, several hours after the fact...

 

[Bubba]

Chickens like most animals are tough. If they weren't they would die quickly in nature or even the farmyard. It sounds like you have done the right thing for it. If you do use hydrogen peroxide only use it for a day or two. It eats flesh and kills good bacteria with the bad. So limit its use. It also builds up, makes feathers brittle etc. Try to keep your hen indoors, away from the other birds. They smell blood and will most likely pick at her if not openly attack. Only time will tell if she makes it. The best of luck Farmgirl. Hope your bird makes it.

Bubba

PS If your bird is in good spirits that is a good thing. Its just one more step to recovery.

 

[dlhunicorn]

with ANY animal bite, your bird will usually need systemic antibiotics... in this case from your description , without it I do not see much chance... usually a vet will choose to give baytril in such a situation... you need to FLUSH those wounds out copiously with sterile saline water (a 1/4 tsp of salt boiled in a quart of water for five minutes)... then flush again with some chlorhexidine flush solution or diluted novalsan (if you do not have then diluted iodine/betadine to the color of a tea will do)... apply some neosporin afterwards....pooorrrr thing

 

[FarmGirlNE]

We didn't have any peroxide... we had some iodine pads that we cleaned it with at first, and some first aid cleaning pads that I cleaned it with before I bandaged it... I'll try the saline water and wash it today.

I did put neosporin on it, which I know isn't for puncture wounds but we didn't have much choice. We have some kind of oral antibiotics, I don't know if it's ok for chickens or how much to give her... I'll check out what it's called though and call a vet and ask...

She's still alive this morning, I have her in a kennel outside, in a dog house, she's safe in there, I had my hurt turkeys in there for quite awhile. She acts ok, although I noticed she wasn't eating at all last night.

Do y'all think I should give her some asprin mix in case she's in pain? I have some mixed up from a guinea I was tending to...

 

[DuckLady]

Ok, I cleaned up this thread of off topic posts.
Sorry for the interruption, FarmGirlNE.

If you have advice on the care of the chicken's wounds, please, by all means, be helpful.

 

[dlhunicorn]

with puncture wounds there can be bits of soil etc in the wounds...a superficial swipe at the top is truly insufficient...you need something (for instance a syringe with no needle or if nothing else a sterilized dishwashing soap container filled with the saline solution/thereafter with the betadine tea) so it will gt into the puncture and flush out any loose bits that can fester ... protect from any flies/maggots are a real risk... amoxcillin (preferably potentiated) can be useful and is advised on the AVIAN WOUND MANAGEMENT site...here are my collected articles on wounds and the advice /dosage for the amoxcillin (if that is the antibiotic you have)... (((hugs)))hope she is feeling better soon...electrolytes in the waterer if she seems to be in shock (or gatorade in a pinch or childrens ORS will also do)...
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=practical&action=display&num=1158141893

Foot injuries and bumblefoot
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2003/august/Cousquer/Avian-Wound-Assessment.html
excerpt summary on TREATMENT measures:
First aid
Traumatised birds often have multiple injuries and may be further compromised by dehydration, malnutrition and other problems, especially if there has been a delay (hours or days) between injury and presentation [1]. Fluid and nutritional therapy and treatment for shock are critical in the early management of all traumatised birds. Overzealous wound and fracture treatment before stabilisation of the bird may prove fatal [1]. Some first aid of the wound, however, will inevitably be required.

Wound first aid will usually be performed at the time of the initial or subsequent clinical examination. It need not be high tech but should fulfil a number of basic objectives:

Cleaning - The wound should be cleaned quickly to remove as much contamination as possible. A more thorough cleaning should await veterinary examination of the wound. This is usually performed under general anaesthetic to help minimise stress . Sterile isotonic saline (0.9%) or a solution of 0.05% chlorhexidine may be used. Care should be taken not to wet the bird excessively as this is likely to increase the risks of hypothermia.

Haemostasis - veterinary attention should be requested if there is excessive bleeding. Bleeding from most small wounds will stop following the application of a wound dressing.

Protection from dehydration - the use of a hydrogel (e.g. Intrasite) will help protect a wound. This can be covered by a vapour permeable film dressing (e.g. Opsite) to provide further protection.

Immobilisation - certain wounds may benefit from immobilisation or splinting. A figure of eight dressing can be used to immobilise the lower wing, for example, or the limb can be strapped to the body.

Analgesia and antibiotics - broad spectrum antibiotics can be provided in the first instance: clavulanic acid potentiated amoxycillin (150mg/kg orally or subcutaneously) will provide cover against most aerobes and anaerobes...."