Dog attack

[mstkseavey]

Yesterday I had my lab get a hold of one of my hens. She is about 12 weeks old. The lab tore feathers and all off her neck which today looks much better after several applications of a spray on wound care medication. I wish that was the only problem with her. She was running around during the madness of the attack and now she will not stand. She lays on one side or the other with a foot kicked out from under her. When I hold her and feel her feet and legs she puts resistance on my hands although she is unable to stand. I am afraid she will have to be put down. . I am giving her food and she is eating like crazy. And she is drinking electrolyte water as well as a diluted baby aspirin. Not sure what else I can so for her. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Swampgal]

I am no expert but I can tell you we had a favorite hen to survive a predator attack, losing 1/3 of her feathers. We isolated her from the others immediately and gave her lots of TLC and first aid sprays. After a week she visited in the run daily via a large dog crate. Ultimately we replaced the other hens who picked at her with smaller pullets, which restored a good chemistry to the flock. Good luck!

 

[gracierooster]

I think that if she is eating and drinking that is a good sign. Most animals won't eat or drink if they have been seriously injured. I had a chicken this spring attacked by a dog we were babysitting and I just put her in a quite place by herself, sprayed her with antibotics and gave her food and water and after a few days she got up on her own. She ended up being a brood mom for the chicks I had ordered who I had to put with her because I had no where else to go with them. She raised them and is in perfect health now.
Good Luck, hope she makes it.

 

[mstkseavey]

Thanks. I appreciate your posts. I a bit concerned about her legs. She won't put weight on them. . But she is eating and she talks to me in her sweet peeps when I bring food and medicine to her. So I am hoping that with a few days of TLC she might mend. These hens are our first and I feel awful that it happened. My lab was just doing what dogs so but it shouldn't have happened on my watch!

 

[Debs55]

I had a hen get attacked. She had holes all in her and missing feathers. She also laid on one side and would not put weight on the other side or leg. About a month later she was completely recovered

Right after attack

A few days later

Also I cleaned her wounds with saline and used neosporin which seemed to really help

 

[mstkseavey]

Thanks Debs55! That gives me hope! My hen is eating like crazy and even singing to me! And is trying to hold her weight today. I keep seeing improvement every time I check in her! . I am willing to nurse her no problem. I just don't want to be cruel.

 

[Debs55]

No problem! Everyone told me mine was a lost cause but with some TLC and keeping her wounds clean she is doing great! Good luck and keep us updated

 

[mstkseavey]

Its been almost 3 full days since my lab for a hold of my hen. She is still not standing but... She is eating like crazy! I am giving her vitamin B and electrolytes. And I am even giving her baby aspirin! She takes it from me very easily! The B vitamin I have dissolved into water and I am dripping it on her beak and she drinks a few drops at a time. . Same with the electrolytes and the aspirin! I am even putting a few drops on her fruits and veggies when she eats! She is also better at holding herself straighter up than the leaning nd laying on her side she ha been doing! I hope that's a good sign!

 

[Debs55]

Sounds like she's perking up! Good luck!

 

[mstkseavey]

Here is my hen this afternoon! What do you think? She is looking so much better than Friday night! I am very hopeful.