Chicken attacked by dog last week, questions about leg mobility and poop. No vet in area. Graphic photos

[Bulcaoma]

My dog attacked one hen 6 days ago due to my adult son accidentally leaving coop door open and not fully closing gate when 'chicken sitting'. We thought she was dead, but she was breathing and eyes open.This forum gave me hope in nursing her to health. We do not have a vet in the area.

Following advice, I have her in a dog crate in bathroom. She eats (fermented or soaked food, some scrambled eggs and black soldier fly larvae for protein) and drinks water mixed with either poultry cell or nutri drench along with regular water in a nipple feeder. I have been treating the wounds on her back 2x a day (started 1x yesterday) with vetricyn, hydrogel and Neosporin w/o pain relief. I cleaned everything out with saline the night of attack and betadine the next morning. They seem to be healing with no odors, blood or green colors (other than visible bruising under skin day 3 and 4-shown in pics that isn't there anymore). The wounds aren't closed up enough for me to comfortably put her in the coop in isolation. I don't want bedding sticking to the ointment. I read on here to not cover them either, but leave it open. Is this correct?

She is not using her legs. The left one is pulled up under her body. The right leg was, but now she splays it out to the side. Both legs are warm. The right leg can now grip with her toes when encouraged. I cannot feel any breaks or see anything 'wrong' and wondering if it could be something up high close bro the body. She doesn't mind me massaging her legs, but doesn't like if I try to gently position them underneath her (manipulate the area up in the thigh).

Today I made a sling and let her look outside. She seemed good with it. I'm hoping this will get her used to trying to stand up correctly. It lets her flap her wings around too.

She started flinging herself in the crate yesterday, turning about 90 degrees . I'm not sure if it's just from her wings or if the legs are involved.

I had her loosely wrapped in a towel the first several days to prevent p

icking, keep her warm and feel secure , then just puppy pads under her with small towel on top for warmth. Since moving around, no towel, just puppy pads. How can I keep her out of landing on her poop?

Also yesterday she didn't eat as much of her feed and drank more water. This morning she was milky diarrhea with green chunks. I'm thinking it was just from her feeding habits yesterday.

Please any advice on next moves.

 

[Bulcaoma]

I also gave her a half baby aspirin this afternoon because she has been shaking and more vocal when I am moving her to treat wounds. I was worried initially not wanting to have internal bleeding. I will only give a couple days if she's still seams in pain. Without vet, I don't know how to get Meloxicam.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

So far it looks like you're doing everything right. She doesn't need the towel for warmth though. In the house her feathers will keep her more than warm enough. If she protests when you move her, try not to move her more than absolutely necessary. I'm not sure about the aspirin, I'd have to ask the Educators. I've never seen them recommend that. Also you don't want to give her too much Nutri Drench or poultry cell, it can be too much on the kidneys. Clean fresh water is best most of the time. If you can rig her a sling to support her with an opening for the vent, that would help keep her clean. I think some of the Educators have pics of some examples, let me tag them for you.

@Eggcessive @coach723 @Wyorp Rock @azygous

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh - if she is not eating much, try wetting her food to make a gruel out of it, that might make it more attractive. You can also offer her some scrambled egg, hold the salt!

 

[Bulcaoma]

So far it looks like you're doing everything right. She doesn't need the towel for warmth though. In the house her feathers will keep her more than warm enough. If she protests when you move her, try not to move her more than absolutely necessary. I'm not sure about the aspirin, I'd have to ask the Educators. I've never seen them recommend that. Also you don't want to give her too much Nutri Drench or poultry cell, it can be too much on the kidneys. Clean fresh water is best most of the time. If you can rig her a sling to support her with an opening for the vent, that would help keep her clean. I think some of the Educators have pics of some examples, let me tag them for you.

@Eggcessive @coach723 @Wyorp Rock @azygous

BigBlueHen53 I did make her a sling with vent hole (pictured in post), but it was my understanding that she has to build up to the amount of time using it. Any advice on sling vs laying on ground time? Also her left side back is damaged all the way down to where the hole in sling starts, so I'm trying to not have too much pressure. Not sure if that makes sense.

I have been tapering off the water with either nutri drench or poultry cell in it. Should I use only water even though there is still a lot of healing needed?

Our home is heated by a fireplace and bathroom is cool. I had read to have them 75-80 degrees so she doesn't waste energy. Bathroom is probably 60ish. I open door at night when dogs are contained in our bedroom to warm, but keep closed most of the day.

 

[Bulcaoma]

Oh - if she is not eating much, try wetting her food to make a gruel out of it, that might make it more attractive. You can also offer her some scrambled egg, hold the salt!

Yes, that's what I've been feeding her. She just didn't seem to eat much yesterday. Today her appetite is great.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Some of your questions are beyond my expertise to answer, I'm sorry, is why I tagged the Educators.

 

[Bulcaoma]

BigBlueHen53 I did make her a sling with vent hole (pictured in post), but it was my understanding that she has to build up to the amount of time using it. Any advice on sling vs laying on ground time? Also her left side back is damaged all the way down to where the hole in sling starts, so I'm trying to not have too much pressure. Not sure if that makes sense.

I have been tapering off the water with either nutri drench or poultry cell in it. Should I use only water even though there is still a lot of healing needed?

Our home is heated by a fireplace and bathroom is cool. I had read to have them 75-80 degrees so she doesn't waste energy. Bathroom is probably 60ish. I open door at night when dogs are contained in our bedroom to warm, but keep closed most of the day.

And her feathers have been clipped away on back to clear off of wound. Her left back is pretty bald. Only her wings cover it. Should I go no additional warmth if 50-60degrees in bathroom and no feathers on left/back?

 

[Bulcaoma]

Some of your questions are beyond my expertise to answer, I'm sorry, is why I tagged the Educators.

Ok.Thank you. I'll look for their replies. I appreciate it as it's my first real injury.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You're doing really well. Not sure about the no feathers, sorry. I wish you and her all the best!