DOG ATTACK! ! ! !

[Faulfarm.]

DOG ATTACK! ! ! ! ! I have two hens that are injured. the first one is limping, keeps one eye closed(I've opened the eye and don't see any scratches or swelling) and has a patch on her back that is missing feathers and has about 3 dime size cuts to the meat. I've cleaned the wound with hydrogen peroxide and put neosporine on it, also made a stint for the leg st was limping on. The other one had no wounds but seems to be stunned to where she seems drunk/distorted, like equilibrium is off. Both are in a kennel and they have both eaten food and water. Is there anything else I can do? Anyone have experience with a situation like this, considering their behavior? Vet isn't an option right now! Home remedies please. Will add pictures in the morning

 

[lazy gardener]

Hydrogen peroxide a single time use. It damages new tissue growth. After cleaning wounds, and clipping feathers near the wound, treat with antibiotic ointment. (do not use the kind with pain killer). Keep the birds warm. They will go into shock, and keeping them warm may turn the tide in their favor. Also, give them home made electrolyte or pedialyte solution.

Homemade Pedialyte Recipe #2

• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 tablespoons sugar or honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• optional: 1/2 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together and serve. Refrigerate up to 3 days.

Pics would be helpful. What have you done to ensure that the dog does not come back, and can not get to the rest of your birds? Do you know the dog? If so, call ACO and file a report. You might also want to file a police report. Keep a paper trail.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally after a dog attack the best thing to do is keep them warm and quiet. They will be in shock for a few days, and will be very sore for a while. I would probably remove the splint to minimize the stress on your chicken.

They probably won't eat or drink for a few days. If they don't drink by day 3 I might start trying to drip some in their beaks, but generally they start drinking by 3 days. They generally will start eating within a week.

Leave them be. Chickens are good at healing. Your job is to minimize stress. Next time don't use peroxide on wounds as it can destroy tissue. I generally leave wounds alone or use bluekote. I've seen some nasty stuff heal up. If there are broken bones than you will need outside help like a vet, otherwise sprains and strains will generally heal with time.

I don't recommend forcing food or water on them as that can end up bad as they can aspirate easily and die.

 

[NanaKat]

Sounds like you have done what you can for now. Keep both contained and keep in a place out of the weather. Glad to hear that they are eating and drinking okay.

No need for any more hydrogen peroxide unless you see infection. Flushing the wounds was all that needed to be done. HP tends to kill skin surfaces if used frequently.

50/50 apple cider vinegar and distilled water makes a good antibacterial as does a 15% solution of Gold Listerine and distilled water. Either can be sprayed on wounds.

Unless the skin is ripped, do not try to close the deep wounds...dime sized will heal. You don't want to trap infection in the puncture zones. Abscesses are difficult to heal. Leaving the wound covered with neosporen is okay, but keep an eye out for proper drainage and scabbing.

 

[Faulfarm.]

Hydrogen peroxide a single time use. It damages new tissue growth. After cleaning wounds, and clipping feathers near the wound, treat with antibiotic ointment. (do not use the kind with pain killer). Keep the birds warm. They will go into shock, and keeping them warm may turn the tide in their favor. Also, give them home made electrolyte or pedialyte solution.

Homemade Pedialyte Recipe #2

• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 tablespoons sugar or honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• optional: 1/2 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together and serve. Refrigerate up to 3 days.

Pics would be helpful. What have you done to ensure that the dog does not come back, and can not get to the rest of your birds? Do you know the dog? If so, call ACO and file a report. You might also want to file a police report. Keep a paper trail.

Thank you, we have made reports 2 times before to animal control and talked with the owners, they've said they would contain them, and after time the dogs are loose again, we have now warned that they will be shot on site, if caught on our property. We've lost 4 chickens, and one of our pedigree Californian rabbits to these dogs in a year. Pictures have been taken as well!

 

[lazy gardener]

Did these people make financial restitution? If not, I'd be filing a police report. Keep your gun handy, and don't be afraid to use it.

 

[Faulfarm.]

Generally after a dog attack the best thing to do is keep them warm and quiet. They will be in shock for a few days, and will be very sore for a while. I would probably remove the splint to minimize the stress on your chicken.

They probably won't eat or drink for a few days. If they don't drink by day 3 I might start trying to drip some in their beaks, but generally they start drinking by 3 days. They generally will start eating within a week.

Leave them be. Chickens are good at healing. Your job is to minimize stress. Next time don't use peroxide on wounds as it can destroy tissue. I generally leave wounds alone or use bluekote. I've seen some nasty stuff heal up. If there are broken bones than you will need outside help like a vet, otherwise sprains and strains will generally heal with time.

I don't recommend forcing food or water on them as that can end up bad as they can aspirate easily and die.

Going to get heat lamp in the morning for now they are in the shed with towel over kennel, makes since to remove spent it seems to be difficult on her, thank you!

 

[Faulfarm.]

Did these people make financial restitution? If not, I'd be filing a police report. Keep your gun handy, and don't be afraid to use it.

Not at all, we have 2 labs and have fourked up the money for a Perimeter collar to keep ours out of neighbors yards so they aren't a bother to them, frustrating that they arent doing the same...

 

[Faulfarm.]

Sounds like you have done what you can for now. Keep both contained and keep in a place out of the weather. Glad to hear that they are eating and drinking okay.

No need for any more hydrogen peroxide unless you see infection. Flushing the wounds was all that needed to be done. HP tends to kill skin surfaces if used frequently.

50/50 apple cider vinegar and distilled water makes a good antibacterial as does a 15% solution of Gold Listerine and distilled water. Either can be sprayed on wounds.

Unless the skin is ripped, do not try to close the deep wounds...dime sized will heal. You don't want to trap infection in the puncture zones. Abscesses are difficult to heal. Leaving the wound covered with neosporen is okay, but keep an eye out for proper drainage and scabbing.

Thank you! Definitely going to give the 50/50 mix a try!