Chicken attacked by dog

[tracy.lewis]

One of my Barred Rocks was attacked by my in-law’s dog today. Wounds are mostly superficial from what I can tell... not sure about internal stuff, obviously.

I have Penecillin. Just wondering about the injectable dosage OR if I can dilute it with something else and put it straight on the wound?

I’ve included photos of her. Help is appreciated.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

AH bless her little barred rock heart!

I personally don't use antibiotics unless needed... indicated by infection. I just leave things and let the body produce it's own natural anti bodies... and support with probiotics like yogurt or fermented feed. I also up nutrition a little via vitamin supplement or scrambled egg... especially if feeding layer or lots of treats.

I would use a triple antibiotic or neosporin (not with pain reliever) before I would put penicillin directly on the wound. I am NO expert though. Blue kote is another good choice as well as Vetricyn.

Watch out for shock is the biggest thing for me. Making sure she is eating and drinking. Specifically drinking the first day. Pain is a good thing because it helps to limit our movements so we can heal allowing our body to focus energy where needed... but if it just seems like she is suffering... aspirin is used for many animals including chickens, but I do not know the accurate or suggested dose for that.

It looks terrible, but not deadly. I hope she pulls through well!

Others who might be more useful about the antibiotic situation with different experiences than my own.. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @casportpony @rebrascora

 

[Kiki]

I would NOT put penicillin on the wound or use it if there is not an infection.
You may want to skim this thread to see how powerful Medi Honey is:
Graphic Pics- Wing Amputation Advise?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is she lethargic?

You have flushed the wound well. Clip any feathers that may get into the wound while it's healing. I agree with @EggSighted4Life triple antibiotic ointment or Vetericyn on the wounds would be good. I'm not a fan of Blu Kote on this type of wound, simply because the bluing makes it hard (for me) to see bruising/beginnings of infection, etc.

Unless she begins to decline or the wounds become infected, I would not give antibiotics at this time. Chickens heal remarkably well if their wounds are cleaned and tended to daily. Keep her where flies cannot get on the wounds and lay eggs.

If you really feel she does need the Penicillin, it should be injected into the breast muscle (not the wound) 1/4" deep, alternate sides daily. Dosage is 1/4cc given for 4-7days.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm not a fan of Blu Kote on this type of wound, simply because the bluing makes it hard (for me) to see bruising/beginnings of infection

Good point I hadn't previously considered.

 

[Eggcessive]

Penicillin G is only given by injection. Dosage is 1/4 ml given into the breast muscle once a day for 4-5 days. Most times in chicken wounds, antibiotics are not needed, as long as you disinfect the wound with Vetericyn, Betadine, or Chlorhexideneand water. Plain neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment twice a day is useful as well. I would not use BluKote on an open wound, but when it scabs over, the BluKote could be useful to hide the redness. A vet would probably prescribe an oral antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, clavamox, or others for deep wounds.

 

[50-45-1]

I would also put her in hutch by herself until her feathers cover the wound. You dont want the other chickens pecking at her. I would use Bag balm, Corona or Neisporin on it to keep it moist and the flies off. Fresh water and free choice food. I think she will recover nicely.
Here is a funny story.
We had a friend named Bill who always had his 2 black labs with him in his truck. Every time he came to our house he let the dogs out to run in our yard. One day my husband said to Bill " you know bill, i hope your dogs dont kill our $500.00 chicken"
Bill looked shocked and said "You have a chicken worth $500.00!"
My husband replied" no Bill you dont understand, Any chicken your dog kills will be that $500.00 chicken.
He whistled the dogs back in the truck.

 

[tracy.lewis]

AH bless her little barred rock heart!

I personally don't use antibiotics unless needed... indicated by infection. I just leave things and let the body produce it's own natural anti bodies... and support with probiotics like yogurt or fermented feed. I also up nutrition a little via vitamin supplement or scrambled egg... especially if feeding layer or lots of treats.

I would use a triple antibiotic or neosporin (not with pain reliever) before I would put penicillin directly on the wound. I am NO expert though. Blue kote is another good choice as well as Vetricyn.

Watch out for shock is the biggest thing for me. Making sure she is eating and drinking. Specifically drinking the first day. Pain is a good thing because it helps to limit our movements so we can heal allowing our body to focus energy where needed... but if it just seems like she is suffering... aspirin is used for many animals including chickens, but I do not know the accurate or suggested dose for that.

It looks terrible, but not deadly. I hope she pulls through well!

Others who might be more useful about the antibiotic situation with different experiences than my own.. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @casportpony @rebrascora

I didn’t give her the penicillin... wrong kind. I have given her an Epsom salt bath, treated the wounds now several times with Veterycin and Neosporin (but it has a pain reliever in it... all I have but am going to get something without). She has eaten a little bit of egg and has been drinking water with vitamins & electrolytes in it. I have her wounds covered with gauze as well, and I have her wrapped up in a clean towel. Not sure what else to do at this point...

 

[Kiki]

I didn’t give her the penicillin... wrong kind. I have given her an Epsom salt bath, treated the wounds now several times with Veterycin and Neosporin (but it has a pain reliever in it... all I have but am going to get something without). She has eaten a little bit of egg and has been drinking water with vitamins & electrolytes in it. I have her wounds covered with gauze as well, and I have her wrapped up in a clean towel. Not sure what else to do at this point...

The pain reliever stuff isn't that big a deal.
There isn't enough of the "bad stuff" in there to hurt.


Just make sure she is eating and drinking well.
Keeping her in a calm place would be good too.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I didn’t give her the penicillin... wrong kind. I have given her an Epsom salt bath, treated the wounds now several times with Veterycin and Neosporin (but it has a pain reliever in it... all I have but am going to get something without). She has eaten a little bit of egg and has been drinking water with vitamins & electrolytes in it. I have her wounds covered with gauze as well, and I have her wrapped up in a clean towel. Not sure what else to do at this point...

Is she lethargic?

Fluids are the most important.