Chicken Attacked By Wild Cat

[Feelin Kinda Clucky]

So this happened today. Wild Cat got her but we caught it mid attack, made noise, and he let her go.

My concern is that clearly looks like an exposed organ. We pushed her skin together, put gauze over it and vet wrapped. The wound is on the right side under her wing.

She has been sleeping comfortably, but every so often jerks awake, which I imagine is from pain.

Is this something she may recover from or a no-hope case?

Or you know, it's just a keep it clean and good luck sort of case?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Ouch, poor baby! Looks like a case for the Educators. Calling @Eggcessive , @coach723 , @azygous, @Wyorp Rock .

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Meanwhile have you given her anything for shock? Is she eating, drinking? Put 1 tsp sugar, a pinch of salt, pinch of baking soda in 1 c warm water, stir to dissolve and hold it up to her beak. If she won't drink try putting a drop from your finger at the crease of her beak and see if she will swallow. Continue until she refuses by shaking her head. Avoid getting any in her nostrils.

 

[azygous]

You won't know if she can recover until you try. But assume that a ton of bacteria has entered that deep wound. Pull off the bandage and flush the wound liberally with saline wash. You can make your own from recipes on the internet.

Then you must give her an antibiotic. If you have any on hand let us know what it is and we will help you with the dosing.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So this happened today. Wild Cat got her but we caught it mid attack, made noise, and he let her go.

My concern is that clearly looks like an exposed organ. We pushed her skin together, put gauze over it and vet wrapped. The wound is on the right side under her wing.

She has been sleeping comfortably, but every so often jerks awake, which I imagine is from pain.

Is this something she may recover from or a no-hope case?

Or you know, it's just a keep it clean and good luck sort of case?




View attachment 4202930

I agree, I'd flush the wound very well with saline or if you have Chlorhexidine or Povidone Iodine, you can use one of those.

Trim the feathers from around the wound so you can see it better and it will stay cleaner. Once flushed out, apply triple antibiotic ointment to the wound. Leave the wound uncovered unless she begins picking at it.

Do take the time to look all over her body for any other punctures, abrasions, bruising, etc. If you can anymore, treat as above.

Give sugar water as suggested to reduce shock.

 

[Feelin Kinda Clucky]

I've taken the dressing off. We are using Veterycin and I've started her on Tylan. I also gave her Poultry cell. She's still alive today so that's a good sign.

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would get some Hibiclens or weaken some Betadine (Equate First Aid Solution) at Walmart in the first aid aisle, and flush the wound twice a day for a day or two. Then switch to saline and apply antibiotic ointment twice daily. Amoxicillin might be a better choice for an antibiotic. Here is where to find it online:
https://hardypaw.com/products/fix-mox-amoxicillin-capsules-fish-antibiotics?variant=44787640008865
To make homemade saline, add 1/2 tsp of salt to 8 ounces of water, or 2 tsp per quart. Bring to a boil in saucepan, turn down to simmer for 15 minutes, and cool. Store in clean jar.

 

[coach723]

Agree with all that was said. I strongly recommend that you get her on amoxicillin asap. Cat saliva often contains a bacteria called Pasteurella multocida, which can be very deadly to birds. It can cause symptoms within 24 -48 hours and become septic quickly. Small birds that are 'played with' by cats can die from it despite appearing to be unhurt. References I can find say that Tylan is not effective for that bacteria. Pasteurella is gram negative and Tylan treats gram positive bacteria. Pasteurella is also resistant to erythromycin.
Recommended antibiotics for pasteurella are penicillin, chlortetracycline or oxytetracycline, sulfamethazine or sulfadimethoxine.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you have any bactrim, that is a sulfa antibiotic that is similar to those listed by coach 723. We can give a dosage. Here below is a generic powder, but would take days to arrive. Your pet vet might be helpful to get some sooner.
https://jedds.com/products/trimetho...ocxQnJnfnuDRclwd-1NmjqXYCpOt8EDgFQNBcGsccT_GR

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How is injured chicken doing today?