Concerning wound from hawk attack

[Lizzylu]

Yesterday one of my young hens was attacked by a hawk, I chased it off and as best I can tell she is ok except for a puncture wound between her legs on the left side of her sternum. I got the bleeding to stop and cleaned it but I’m concerned because the wound is dripping pink fluid. In medical terms I’d call it serous fluid tinged with blood. She’s drinking, but not eating. I’m not sure if I should take her to the vet or keep an eye on it for a day or two. Has anyone seen or experienced this? Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would get her down and look at how deep the wound is. It is good that it is mostly serum and not blood, but the serum might be leaking from inside the abdomen. I would keep it clean with chlorhexidene (Hibiclens) and water or saline, or something Vetericyn or Theracyn Wound Spray. Plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic would be good as well. If you have a vet who knows chickens, that is always best, but it depends on how deep the wound is.

I would keep her in a dog crate with food and water on a clean old towel for bedding. Offer her regular chicken feed along with bits of scrambled egg, tuna, or ground meat. Once she starts eating well, stick mostly to chicken feed.

 

[azygous]

Has her crop been punctured? I assume you mean the keel bone running down the center of her breast. A photo would help here.

Any puncture wound should be treated with an oral antibiotic in my opinion. Bacteria more often than not gets stuffed into a puncture wound and will grow rapidly in the moist warm body of the chicken. The wound sounds minor but the infection could kill her in as little as 24 hours.

If you have an antibiotic on hand, I would start her on it immediately. Often Petsmart will sell Fish Mox which is amoxicillin. Call them and see if they have some. TSC or other feed stores may carry it or have penicillin on hand. You'd need a fine needle syringe if you use that.

 

[Lizzylu]

Thank you so much for your help! I’ll try to get a pic next time I clean the area and yes, the keel bone. Sorry I’m much better at human anatomy. I actually have avian antibiotics and pain meds I just started her on. I am concerned that something internal might have been injured. She is in the house with us in a dog crate with clean bedding, food, water. I offered her one of her favorite treats, oatmeal, zero interest. I’m going to give the pain meds a little time to kick in and then clean the area again, will get a pic and post ASAP. Thanks again!

 

[azygous]

You might treat her for shock along with the antibiotic. Any predator attack can induce shock and it can be as life threatening as infection and injury. Warm sugar water with a pinch of salt or warm Gatoraid will work to restore electrolytes and raise the glucose level.

 

[Lizzylu]

Ok, so here are some pics, she was easier to handle this time and I was able to inspect her more thoroughly and found a second wound. Cleaned with betadine solution and antibiotic ointment. Also, there is a pic of the fluid the wound on her underside is seeping. The new wound I found is at the base of her tail.

 

[Lizzylu]

azygous, Could I put electrolytes in her water or do you think the sugar water solution you suggested is better?

 

[azygous]

You need to raise her glucose level with sugar water. It may be more important than the electrolytes. She only needs a couple infusions today, and she should respond quickly. I prefer warm Gatoraid because I'm lazy and it has everything a chicken needs for shock and it tastes good so they will eagerly drink it, especially the red flavor.

 

[Lizzylu]

Ok, thank you so much. How many ounces would you recommend per infusion?

 

[azygous]

At least four ounces.