Dog attack! Hen with hole in her back!

[LindseyM12]

I need help fast! My hen was attacked by a dog today. She now has a small hole in her back. I'm not totally sure, but i think you can see down inside of her. I sprayed blu kote on it. I don't know what else to do. Please help!

 

[HEChicken]

If you look in my signature and read about the hen who survived a fox attack, it was a similar situation to this. I used triple antibiotic, squirting as much of it into the wounds as I could, and then returned her to the flock since I figured she'd be less stressed being around her companions than separated. She was in shock for 3 days but did eventually pull out of it and is still going strong today. Good luck with your hen!

 

[Chickery Chick]

Others with similar situations.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/464496/chicken-bit-by-dog-graphic-pixs
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...bites-i-have-baytril-but-not-sure-what-to-use
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-please-help-is-my-turkeys-wound-healing-well

Read through these threads for what they did or was advised to do to save their chickens with similar case as yours.

Saline solution is the best thing for your case. Peroxide can be used for a 1st time treatment for infection, but large open wounds, like this is not good. Peroxide damages new tender growth of flesh. After cleansing daily for many days and after each wash, apply ointments to keep the open flesh from drying out, or open to bacteria (which is everywhere).

There are several ointments that people use. BlueKote, Triple antibiotic cream (make sure no pain relief variety), and in my case I used both Triple antibiotic cream and Veterycin(horse product for wounds). You may also use honey and put some salt mixed with it, but DO NOT use processed. It must be RAW honey.

You must keep your chicken away from the others and where no flies are present. The flies will be drawn to the wound and lay eggs in it. Then you'll have maggots=flystrike.

You need to put her on a heavy does of antibiotics. Penicillin injections is best. Oral has way less value.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/352701/how-do-i-administer-a-penicillin-shot-to-a-chicken

Saline solution, make your own:
8 ounces of distilled water
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt

Bring water to just boiling, add soda and salt, dissolves in 1min, will look cloudy.
Cool and poor in a sterilized container. If you have a glass container, boil it ahead of time and lid too.
Do not dip anything into this and contaminate it.
Pour on chicken wound.
Should keep for weeks.
Store room temp.

Also I'd give her probiotics
http://www.organic-gardening-and-homesteading.com/poultry-probiotics.html
or Yogart.

 

[Chickery Chick]

She may be in shock for 2-3 days. If so she may not want to eat or drink and in this case it is best to administer Electrolyites or she will become weak and dehydrated. Do not squirt it down her mouth or it could get in her lungs. If you can get her to drink it on her own would be best. If she is not responding to drink it, you can dip her beak in it and see if she will tip her head up and swollow it. If she is very week and not drinking pry mouth open and just a few drops at a time.
You can purchase Electrolyites for chickens at the Feed Store.
You can give her gatorade.
or
"It is possible to mix your own equivalent oral rehydrating salts by using the following ingredients:

7g sodium chloride (NaCl, common salt)
5g sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
3g potassium chloride (commonly called "Muriate of Potash". Salt substitutes contain mostly potassium chloride)
40g glucose (a common source is corn syrup)
2 litres water

The solution must be mixed thoroughly and unused portions discarded after 24 hours."