Dog Attack

[Rchick2]

I just found my dog with one chicken in his mouth, I believe he has taken two others and eaten them. This one has a wound on the side. She is being quarantined in a dog crate, I'm going to put food and water in shortly for her so don't worry. Should I take her to a vet? What can I do to help?

 

[azygous]

You should worry about infection. Any open wound, especially from an animal bite will contain bacteria. It should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, then kept moist with anti-biotic ointment. Cleaning each day is recommended to keep bacteria from taking hold.

Most animals survive an attack only to die from lack of proper wound care.

 

[Rchick2]

You should worry about infection. Any open wound, especially from an animal bite will contain bacteria. It should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, then kept moist with anti-biotic ointment. Cleaning each day is recommended to keep bacteria from taking hold.

Most animals survive an attack only to die from lack of proper wound care.

Is there a certain brand of ointment or soap that works best?

 

[Chickassan]

I've always used hand soap not that it's best its just always here.And neosporin or its generic equivalent just as long as it doesn't have pain relief in it.

 

[Rchick2]

I've always used hand soap not that it's best its just always here.And neosporin or its generic equivalent just as long as it doesn't have pain relief in it.

Would it be ok to just give her a bath in a plastic bin? I'm having trouble finding the wound again

 

[Chickassan]

I would think that would be absolutely fine.

 

[azygous]

You need to locate the wound. If you had suffered a dog bite and gone to the ER for treatment, I doubt they'd stick your entire body in a bath to treat the bite wound.

If the wound is superficial, just a scratch, it will be good to note that. More likely, you'll find a puncture. Those are the deadly wounds as bacteria is injected, then trapped. Often cleaning the exterior of a puncture wound will do no good to stop infection. Treatment with an antibiotic drug will be necessary to prevent death.

I have seen a hen die in 24 hours from a puncture wound injecting bacteria into her system. You need to locate the wound so you can monitor it for infection. The area around the wound will turn bright red, swell, become hot. This will tell you that penicillin is critical in order to halt the infection.

If the wound is a ragged tear, it's less likely infection has begun, but continued daily cleansing and keeping the wound moist with an ointment will not only prevent infection, but it's crucial for tissue repair.

 

[Chickassan]

Aye, bathing is not a sufficient treatment for a puncture wound but it would make finding that wound and any accompanying wounds easier to locate and determine treatment from there. That's my gist,not just dunk the chicken and call it a day. It might not be too bad it might be horrible the only way to know is find it and access it.

 

[Rchick2]

My plan was hopefully when I put the chicken underwater I could see the blood and then clean it using soap and water. It's not like I was just going to dunk the chicken underwater and call it a day.

 

[Rchick2]

Update: We started yesterday with modifying the coop to make it more predator proof. I have reinforced the run and added locks to the doors