Dog attack

[Orphy]

A dog got into my back yard on Wednesday night. My favorite layer "fat girl" was attacked along with another hen. The other hen was long gone before I made it outside, but Fat Girl was still hanging on. From what I could tell they grabbed her from her back and pulled out alot of feathers, but no open wounds. When I chased them off I thought she was dead. She was laying on her back. I turned her over and she held her head up to let me know she was alive. I moved her into the coop and put her into a secluded nest box.
She is very alert but still will not move much. She was in severe shock when I got her. I just don't know when should the shock be over with? She moves around a little, so I know she isn't paralysed. She is eating and drinking a little, not as much as normal but at least she still has an appetite.
What can I do to improve the chances that she pulls out of this?
Because I was afraid of her going more into shock I haven't moved her much, when should it be ok for me to give her a good examination to see if maybe something is broken in her leg/feet?
Also, if there is a broken bone is there anything that I can do, or is putting down the only option?

Thanks

 

[horsejody]

I would bring her inside or put a heat lamp on her. They lose body temp very quickly when in shock. Sometimes warmth is like a miracle for treating shock.

BTW the dogs will be back. Do you know who owns them?

 

[Orphy]

No, I don't know who owns them, This is the first time I have seen them. I have tried driving through the neighborhood looking for them to inform their owners, they also attacked one of my goats. They were in the process of attacking him when I ran outside. He was the one who warned me they were in my back yard. Poor thing, he is gashed on his inner thigh. Got him fixed up with antibiotics and packed his wound. He is walking around and eating now fine.
I will try the heat lamp, that is a good idea, thanks!

 

[horsejody]

Make sure to file a report with the sheriff or police. They may already be familiar with the dogs. Also, if it happens again, there will be a record of the first offense.

Warm your girl up a bit. Check for any open wounds. Clean the wounds and put neosporin on them. Children's polyvisol (without iron) also is very helpful. Just dribble a couple of drops twice a day on her beak. If you have poultry vitamins you could put that in the water instead. Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[chickensioux]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=193608&p=3

Here is some good info on wound care for poultry. sorry this happened

 

[Orphy]

Thanks! I will do that. Hopefully she will pull through. I will find out when I bring her in if she has any underlying issues with her legs that may be causing her to be immobile.

 

[jjthink]

Right now, lots of comforting and warm comfy temps to get her through the shock. Keep gently soothing her with your voice, and touch, if she likes touch (sometimes in a situation like this they will welcome it when they normally wouldn't, if the person touching and comforting them is perceived as the protector). If you have or someone can get for you Rescue Remedy, mix a drop in a little water and gently dropper it along her beak line (so she swallows on her own and doesn't choke). This is for stress. Electrolytes for shock - same procedure - a bit of Pedialtye will work in a pinch mixed with water and droppered. Take care not to stress her much in the process - easier said than done! The most important thing is getting her through the initial shock - I had a hen in the same situation - her eyes were closed and her head drooped - I thought I was going to lose her. It took me a good hour and a half to rally her out of that, with much TLC. She was in my lap the whole time. Then we brought her roo in and she was greatly comforted by him, as they area buddies. Only after all of that did I take her to thevet. She needed surgery and is okay now (some permanent disability thanks to the blasted dog [dog's peopel, really] but not life threatening). Later, when your girl is stable (hopefully), do follow Jody's advice about the dog. So sad about the hen that did not make it - it is a cruel way to die and hopefully the people responsible can be found and held accountable.
Keep us posted - I hope she didn't get a broken leg

JJ

 

[Orphy]

I didn't notice anything broken when I first picked her up and the couple times I moved her to a more comfortable spot. But then again my adrenaline was rushing. Would they still take a report even though it has been a couple days?

This is our 3rd dog attack, all different dogs. We live out in the "country" near Houston so people think it is ok to let their dogs run loose since they are people friendly, they never think about the animals they hurt going through people's yards.

My hubby should be home, he is going to bring her inside and put her under the heat. I will find out from him how her legs look and let you know.

Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[Orphy]

He said her right foot is curled up like a fist, she tried to get up using her other leg but then leans forward to the right. I guess there is a broken bone in there somewhere. Any suggestions? is there anything that can be done or am I looking at needing to put her down?

 

[Centralflafred]

You might consider getting a motion sensor from one of the big box home stores. They make some of them that also have a bell that rings inside when the sensor is set off. You might not need the light but the bell will warn you quickly when danger is near depending on how you set them up.