Dog attack! Split skin behind head/neck/back

[Ashmarie621]

Ugh! Our tiny chihuahua got a hold of a young pullet and was biting her neck. We caught her, and she was still alive, but badly injured. The skin behind her head, down the back of her neck and down her back was basically tore straight down. Here wasn’t actually much blood so I tried to clean her up as best I could. I used some Bannix spray to clean the wound, clipped a few feathers where I could, and actually managed to get a couple tiny sutures (my first time!) at the back of her head/neck before I had to give up on those because there was just too much distance to cover down her back. I thought for sure we’d have to put her down or that she’d die on her own but she was still awake so while waiting for my husband to get home, I did my best keeping her comfy. I started reading these posts and read how tough chicks can be, with open skin being able to heal up on its own, so instead of putting her down I tried to fix her up as best I could. The spot right where her neck starts to connect to her back area was the roughest after the top gash, with a thin membrane of skin split open basically exposing the moist tissue underneath, so after cleaning it again I managed to superglue that part together to close it. There’s another tiny hole off to the side but that looked pretty dry, so I left it alone. I added some liquid bandage to the seam that I glued, waited for it all to dry a bit and then sprayed the whole area with that silver spray paint looking spray for poultry. I can’t tell if it’s still torn or if it’s just thin skin down her back, so I didn’t want to try to stitch anything else up in fear I’d make things too tight across her back. I read that the biggest risk is infection, but we live in a very rural area and can’t afford a big vet bill, so I have to treat her myself. Do feed stores in CA carry antibiotics, or should I just keep it clean and see what happens? Any advice is helpful and if any of what I’ve done so far is horribly wrong, please be kind! I did my best with what I had on hand.

 

[NapoeleonDynamite]

I’m not too knowledgeable in that field, but, given the circumstances, I would really just try to let the wound heal on its own, but stay vigilant and deal with small problems before they get bigger. Keep it clean.
If any bigger problems arise, perhaps reach out to someone you know who also has chickens and might be able to help.
Again, I don’t know too much about it, but I hope this helps and I hope your little lady heals up soon!
Best,
NapoleonDynamite

 

[Ashmarie621]

I’m not too knowledgeable in that field, but, given the circumstances, I would really just try to let the wound heal on its own, but stay vigilant and deal with small problems before they get bigger. Keep it clean.
If any bigger problems arise, perhaps reach out to someone you know who also has chickens and might be able to help.
Again, I don’t know too much about it, but I hope this helps and I hope your little lady heals up soon!
Best,
NapoleonDynamite

Thanks!

 

[Gallinarium]

It sounds like you did excellent. Put antibiotic ointment on the wound every so often, like Neosporin or similar. Hydrogen peroxide can be too harsh. If you need to wash it off, use pure water. If you can, clip some of the feathers around the wound to help keep it clean. Putting vitamins or electrodes in her water might help her recover, if available. Seclude her from the others.
Good luck, and condolences on the hurt chicken.

 

[Ashmarie621]

It sounds like you did excellent. Put antibiotic ointment on the wound every so often, like Neosporin or similar. Hydrogen peroxide can be too harsh. If you need to wash it off, use pure water. If you can, clip some of the feathers around the wound to help keep it clean. Putting vitamins or electrodes in her water might help her recover, if available. Seclude her from the others.
Good luck, and condolences on the hurt chicken.

Thank you! An update: the area I glued, that seam of skin, doesn’t seem to be staying closed and has an opening at both ends. For now, the middle of the seam is still closed but I don’t think I’m going to try to mess with it any more tonight. She’s in a crate and seems tired, she did eat a bit. Can a moist open wound like that heal on its own without being closed up? It’s too thin of skin to stitch I think. Should I just let it be and keep it clean and ointmented up? Thanks so much!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You're doing good, I think. Use ointment that does not have pain medication in it. Keep her where she can see the other chickens if possible. The biggest concern, IMO, is going to be flies. You don't want flies laying eggs in the wound. @Wyorp Rock and @Eggcessive can give you good advice on her care. They'll want good pics of the wound to advise you. Good luck with her!

 

[Ashmarie621]

You're doing good, I think. Use ointment that does not have pain medication in it. Keep her where she can see the other chickens if possible. The biggest concern, IMO, is going to be flies. You don't want flies laying eggs in the wound. @Wyorp Rock and @Eggcessive can give you good advice on her care. They'll want good pics of the wound to advise you. Good luck with her!

Thanks so much. She’s a little gal so I think I’ll keep her in the house for a few days if she makes it, to keep her away from flies. Maybe give her some time to walk around outside with supervision. I do have electrolytes so I’ll add those in the morning. That seam is the part that I worry about the most, so hopefully that delicate skin underneath can heal into a thicker layer with ointment. Hopefully she makes it through the night! Right now she’s all silvery from the spray so she looks like a punk rocker!

 

[Vickischics]

3 weeks ago, my 8 week old chick was attacked as you discribed by the other pullets.
I can tell you, these little guys are tough. You DID very good.
Move it inside to an isolation crate, dark and quiet. Give it the electrolyes drink like hydro hen, moisten her crumble feed and make sure she eats. Tonight, set ur alarm and make her drink every 2-3 hours. The first 24hr are critical. If it won't eat or drink, bring a gentle mate to keep her company. This will keep her eating.
You can't chance the friend not to peck her so keep them if you can separate when unsupervised but together.
Keep that wound clean. No dust bathing, no nats or flys. Hence the reason for bringing her inside.
The wound needs to remain moist with triple antibiotic oint, coconut oil will also help. Dog bites carry bacteria from the teeth so, its important to use any antibiotic ointment without lidocaine in it.
You can cover it to help absorb the blood with a nonstick gauze and wrap with a kling wrap like the picture I attached.
She will sleep A LOT.
Remove that only once a day.
Trim all feathers away tommorrow or next day. No more bathes needed.
Only antibiotic oint and coconut oil.
Please send me pictures or if you post pictures. Mark them graphic in the title.
I fully understand your pain.
The dog is a dog. Dont punish him or be angry. She couldn't stop the urge for a good chase and catch game.
You did everything right. Don't suture anymore. Unless you used dissolvable sutures, you will need to remove them on day 3.
Cry and let it out.
Im here for you and understand your pain.

 

[Ashmarie621]

3 weeks ago, my 8 week old chick was attacked as you discribed by the other pullets.
I can tell you, these little guys are tough. You DID very good.
Move it inside to an isolation crate, dark and quiet. Give it the electrolyes drink like hydro hen, moisten her crumble feed and make sure she eats. Tonight, set ur alarm and make her drink every 2-3 hours. The first 24hr are critical. If it won't eat or drink, bring a gentle mate to keep her company. This will keep her eating.
You can't chance the friend not to peck her so keep them if you can separate when unsupervised but together.
Keep that wound clean. No dust bathing, no nats or flys. Hence the reason for bringing her inside.
The wound needs to remain moist with triple antibiotic oint, coconut oil will also help. Dog bites carry bacteria from the teeth so, its important to use any antibiotic ointment without lidocaine in it.
You can cover it to help absorb the blood with a nonstick gauze and wrap with a kling wrap like the picture I attached.
She will sleep A LOT.
Remove that only once a day.
Trim all feathers away tommorrow or next day. No more bathes needed.
Only antibiotic oint and coconut oil.
Please send me pictures or if you post pictures. Mark them graphic in the title.
I fully understand your pain.
The dog is a dog. Dont punish him or be angry. She couldn't stop the urge for a good chase and catch game.
You did everything right. Don't suture anymore. Unless you used dissolvable sutures, you will need to remove them on day 3.
Cry and let it out.
Im here for you and understand your pain.

Thanks so much for the info about the sutures. I got a couple in but I’ll remember to remove them if she makes it. I think I may have messed up though because I numbed the edges with lidocaine so I could get those few stitches in!!! That was a good while ago though, do you think I did more damage then good? I’ll try to get some pics.

 

[Vickischics]

I work nights and will be up all night.
Ill chk your posts throughout the night.
If you need anything, post it.