Dog attack = surviving chick blowing up like a balloon- Sorted now thanks

[Cheepingchick]

A stray dog attacked our chicks yesterday - luckily all were OK - except for one.

She had no puncture marks just lost a lot of her feathers and was in a light shock.

I brang her inside and kept her in the warm air, feeding her some warm porridge.

This morning she was chipper but I noticed that her flesh around her lower back was swollen and upon touching I realised that it was almost as though it was blown up like a balloon. Upon checking her again 3 hours later this has now spread and her entire body is now puffy. It is not fluid that I can see but more like air..

She is eating and drinking just fine but is not her usually self in that she is not running around with the others. She is quite and slow....

What is causing this ballooning effect? Is it just natural trauma that will right itself or is it something more serious?

 

[Cheepingchick]

Aghhh Just had a thought - is it possible that one of her lungs is punctured and is leaking.... actually no I dont think so because it started at the other end...

 

[csummer8882]

I am not sure at all but here is a bump so someone else may see this. Good luck!

 

[Tricorn]

Are you sure there aren't any breaks in the skin? We had a chick get picked on, there was only a little open spot but (I guess) it was in just the right place for her movement to 'suck' the air under her skin. She ended up like a skin balloon. It was so bad we had to remove the air with a needle. She was fine after a few days of treatment.

Dunno if that helps, good luck with your girl!

 

[Pharm Girl]

My chihuahua was attacked by another dog last summer and the his skin 'pocket' filled up with pus within hours. It was instantly infected. Had to go the antibiotic and debridement route. Hope that's not her problem!

 

[texas75563]

My rooster has been attacked 4 times. 3 times he had chunks of meat taken out of him. He is currently getting over attack about a week ago. For him it takes about week to get back into his regular routine. In 2 weeks you would never knew he been hurt. Except for lack of feathers where he was attacked. In month to 6 weeks feathers have grown back out. (guessing on that time frame)

Hopefully your young chick is as tough as my rooster. I hope your chick gets well soon.