Chicken Lost Eye to Raccoon Tonight -- Anything I Should Do?

[appalachianfeet]

We built a high security prison for our chickens when we got them 3 years ago, but tonight we forgot to close them up and a raccoon got in. First time this has happened.

I guess we were sort of lucky since my daughter heard the commotion and was able to scare away the raccoon -- but not before it had grabbed our favorite chicken by the head and dragged her out of the coop to try to run away with her. Fortunately, it dropped her and her injuries appear to only be a missing eye and some missing feathers from her back. She was alert, ate, drank, and flapped her wings.

I'm probably going to call a vet tomorrow since we only have 4 chickens and they're all named and loved. If I can't find a vet that will treat her, does anyone have advice on how to treat a chicken with a missing eye? Does she need antibiotics or something? Should I do anything else tonight? My chickens get along pretty well -- will the other chickens turn on her? Right now she is sleeping in the (closed and locked tight) coop.

 

[appalachianfeet]

Nobody knows? Any opinion on this article? How do I clean it? A Q-tip?

 

[casportpony]

Can you post a picture?

-Kathy

 

[gander007]

Wow how terrible an incident but you do need to clean it out so for now wipe it softly with a damp Q-Tip and pull nothing out ....

Do you have any puss building up yet ???

Is the eye draining ???

Do you have any antibiotics ????



I would do a search for " Duck Dover " he just finished a case like this and what a wonderful job he did ...

 

[appalachianfeet]

Here is the photo that casportpony requested (click for larger):



I'm actually going to go back out right now and try to get a better one than this, but she kept turning her head. She's very alert and eating/drinking, though she has been resting more than usual. I've seen her flap her wings, poop, and haven't found any other injuries other than some feathers pulled out on her rump.

gander007, I don't think there is puss building up, the eye isn't weepy, and I don't know what kind of antibiotics I should use. Any advice is most appreciated.

 

[appalachianfeet]

Here's a better picture (click for larger image):



I guess it is even possible her eye isn't gone, but right now we're assuming it is.

 

[gander007]

Penicillin
as I have several bottles on hand that is what I use .....

Looks like she has a 50/50 chance with the eye ....

Just keep an eye on her ....