Dog Attack

[sbhkma]

Keep us updated on her! She's a lovely SS (I have a couple myself and absolutely LOVE the breed) One of mine is in my Hen Hospital right now due to a suspected broken toe. Her poop was really liquid and sparse the first couple of days, but she's eating, drinking and pooping normally now. And squawking at me to let her out with her sisters. I'd back off the aspirin and perhaps give her legs a nice soak in an epsom salt bath. Get her in a sling if you can and give her some time. I'm amazed at how well animals can heal-especially chickens! (Note: my Sophie seems much more content when I have music playing for her. In her case, she loves reggae. Perhaps your gal would be more relaxed with some music-to-heal-by?)

 

[lindsay44]

A soak in epsom salts is a great idea. I hadn't thought of that! A nice soak and a sling coming up and no harm trying some relaxing music to soothe her a bit more too. Anything to keep her comfy

Glad to hear it sounds like your girl is healing up well. I will keep you posted!

 

[lindsay44]

I made this sling for her - does it look ok? I found a thread on here with the genius idea to make it out of underwear and I think it worked quite well.

She just ate out of my hand for the first time and is now sleeping so I think she's comfortable in it. I don't think it's high enough as her legs are on the ground, but it's holding her weight off them so I'm going to leave her be and let her have a nap.



I haven't soaked her legs yet because I'm out of epsom salt. I'll go into town in the morning and get some so she can have a bit of a spa day.

 

[sbhkma]

She looks plenty comfy. You probably can leave it at that height, so she can practice putting weight on her legs. Just make sure she can easily reach food and water. She'll enjoy her spa I'm sure--Sophie sure does! Keep us updated on her.

 

[juliag103]

Help! Help! Help! Please!

Yesterday I came home and discovered one of my EEs, Eva, with some serious damage to her wings and neck. It happened outside of her coop and run. Each wing has at least six inches of torn skin down to the muscle, and it is right on the 'elbow' joint. There are several places where the skin has been ripped off the muscle and is just hanging there. ALL of the secondary flight feathers have been ripped out on her left side. Luckily my flock is tame, so it was easy to clean her up with warm water. I checked for broken bones, and couldn't feel any. I then applied Corona salve to the wounds and covered them with gauze and Vetwrap for the night, binding them to her body. She is in a 42" dog crate in my garage with shavings. I'm sure she was in shock still, but she was eating and drinking last night. I put one of her friends in with her so she wouldn't be alone. She made it through the night, and her dressing is still attached. She seems alert, and is walking around. I plan on trimming back some of her feathers (well, what's left of them) so I can see the wounds better. I was also in shock last night to find Eva torn to bits. I was hoping to get some ideas before I go into town for supplies. I'll leave the dressing on until I get back.

I need some help here, fellow dog attack victims. Please! She is, of course, my favorite chicken.


1. Is keeping the open wounds covered a good idea? If so, what is the best dressing, and how should should it be dressed?

2. Should I use Corona salve (which, in my experiences, has absolutely amazing results,) a different salve or no salve at all? Maybe a different product? Some sort of spray?

3. Was putting one of her BFFs in with her a good idea, or should she be alone?

4. Should I cut the hanging skin off, or will it re-attach?

5. How often and with what should I clean the wounds?

6. In addition to electrolytes in her water, should I add tetracycline or some sort of antibiotic to her water?

7. Should I cover and heat her crate? The garage is a very quiet place and is insulated, but it is holding colder air, colder than outside.

8. Should I give her a roost, or leave her on the shavings? Maybe some sort of nest?

9. The flock is in transition from 'Medicated Starter' to 'Extra Egg,' as they are pullets. Should I give her a different feed? Something with a higher protein or fat content? Any sort of additives?


Please, please, please!

 

[sbhkma]

1. Is keeping the open wounds covered a good idea? If so, what is the best dressing, and how should should it be dressed?
I don't cover it unless the bird is picking at it.

2. Should I use Corona salve (which, in my experiences, has absolutely amazing results,) a different salve or no salve at all? Maybe a different product? Some sort of spray?
I use either triple antibiotic (with NO "pain reliever) or vetericyn

3. Was putting one of her BFFs in with her a good idea, or should she be alone?
If the other hen and her are getting along, it may help the injured one be more relaxed. If the other hen is picking at her wounds or harassing the wounded hen, take her out.

4. Should I cut the hanging skin off, or will it re-attach?
I've no experience with this with birds, but in my experience with other injuries, it won't re-attach and should be trimmed

5. How often and with what should I clean the wounds?
Betadine works great-remember to rinse it with plain water when you're done cleaning it. Don't use hydrogen peroxide as it damages tissue. Twice a day for the first 3 or 4 days. Then once a day. You'll be able to see the healing and judge when it doesn't need the cleansing anymore.

6. In addition to electrolytes in her water, should I add tetracycline or some sort of antibiotic to her water?
Personally, I don't like to use antibiotics unless I see an infection. If you're dressing the wound with antibiotic ointment that *should* be sufficient. If you see any sign of infection then I'd go ahead and start it in her water.

7. Should I cover and heat her crate? The garage is a very quiet place and is insulated, but it is holding colder air, colder than outside.
For the first couple of days I would definitely want to cover and keep it warm so it's dark and quiet and warm for her.

8. Should I give her a roost, or leave her on the shavings? Maybe some sort of nest?
Shavings are fine. if it's a big enough kennel/crate, putting a roost up just a little off the floor gives her a place to roost if she chooses. I mean like the 2nd row of holes in the kennel-no higher than that.

9. The flock is in transition from 'Medicated Starter' to 'Extra Egg,' as they are pullets. Should I give her a different feed? Something with a higher protein or fat content? Any sort of additives?
The starter would be good for her-perhaps some Rooster Booster or Poly-vi-sol.


Good luck with her. So terrible when we have to deal with things like this. Any idea what got her?

 

[3chickchicks]

Help! Help! Help! Please!

Yesterday I came home and discovered one of my EEs, Eva, with some serious damage to her wings and neck. It happened outside of her coop and run. Each wing has at least six inches of torn skin down to the muscle, and it is right on the 'elbow' joint. There are several places where the skin has been ripped off the muscle and is just hanging there. ALL of the secondary flight feathers have been ripped out on her left side. Luckily my flock is tame, so it was easy to clean her up with warm water. I checked for broken bones, and couldn't feel any. I then applied Corona salve to the wounds and covered them with gauze and Vetwrap for the night, binding them to her body. She is in a 42" dog crate in my garage with shavings. I'm sure she was in shock still, but she was eating and drinking last night. I put one of her friends in with her so she wouldn't be alone. She made it through the night, and her dressing is still attached. She seems alert, and is walking around. I plan on trimming back some of her feathers (well, what's left of them) so I can see the wounds better. I was also in shock last night to find Eva torn to bits. I was hoping to get some ideas before I go into town for supplies. I'll leave the dressing on until I get back.

I need some help here, fellow dog attack victims. Please! She is, of course, my favorite chicken.


1. Is keeping the open wounds covered a good idea? If so, what is the best dressing, and how should should it be dressed?

2. Should I use Corona salve (which, in my experiences, has absolutely amazing results,) a different salve or no salve at all? Maybe a different product? Some sort of spray?

3. Was putting one of her BFFs in with her a good idea, or should she be alone?

4. Should I cut the hanging skin off, or will it re-attach?

5. How often and with what should I clean the wounds?

6. In addition to electrolytes in her water, should I add tetracycline or some sort of antibiotic to her water?

7. Should I cover and heat her crate? The garage is a very quiet place and is insulated, but it is holding colder air, colder than outside.

8. Should I give her a roost, or leave her on the shavings? Maybe some sort of nest?

9. The flock is in transition from 'Medicated Starter' to 'Extra Egg,' as they are pullets. Should I give her a different feed? Something with a higher protein or fat content? Any sort of additives?


Please, please, please!

Keep the wounds open if possible. The bacteria from a dog's mouth likes environments without oxygen so the more air that can get to it, the harder it is for that type of bacteria to grow. Keeping her alone and in a sanitary crate will help prevent infection. She'll ooze some clear discharge that will help flush the wound. Once it dries, it'll be a barrier. I'd recommend dressing it only if she has to be outside with the potential of getting it dirty or pecked at.

Heat her crate if she is shivering otherwise, leave the temp be.

I've had good luck with blukote wound dressing. Wear gloves and be careful because it will dye everything. First thing I do is to irrigate the wound for about 15 minutes with regular tap water. Then, mix up some betadine into water, enough so that it is a dark tea. I pour that over the wounds. Then I apply the blukote. For the first few days, I do betadine and blukote at least two or three times a day, depending on the bird and how stressful handling is to her. Then I just apply blukote twice a day for a few more days, then once a day until her body has covered the wounds.

I had a bird attacked last summer and she pulled through. I've got a bird that was attacked yesterday. Her wounds aren't as deep (still down to the muscle) but cover a larger area. She's in a crate now with a blanket over it so she can relax and rest. I've got shredded paper in there with her and she's alone. I don't want the chance of another bird pecking at her.
I started giving her some bread soaked in milk. For the one last summer, I gave her the bread and yogurt. She transitioned to her feed on her own. Any sustenance you can give her will help. Higher protein feed will help.

I would watch the skin hanging off. It should dry up on it's own. Watch for it to become necrotic though. If so, trim it off.

You can elevate the crate and she'll feel safer. I wouldn't worry too much about a roost.

 

[juliag103]

Thank everyone so much. I have her clutch mate in with her, and they are doing well. Ava is eating and drinking normally, she just looks rather pathetic with no secondary flight feathers and bloody wings. She is laying down a lot, which I can imagine is normal. I'll take the dressings off, and send my husband in for some betadine and blukote. I've used blukote quite a bit on horses, and had good luck with it. She's very docile and is doing well with the stress of being crated and in pain. When the wound is being irrigated, should I just take her inside to the bathtub? I have a sprayer that detaches from the shower head. I think I will trim off the hanging skin, then I can better see the wounds and how they are healing.

As for what attacked her, I'm a little confused. There was a huge feather bomb in the coop, too. So, whatever got Ava was also in the coop. Fox, maybe? Coyote or bobcat (unless the cat climbed a tree, but I imagine it would have taken the chicken with it, and I'm not missing any chickens) would be too large to get in. The run is 25'x25' with an 8' fence, but as they've been scratching it up, we've been going around and blocking holes as we find them. Today I'm going to run an 18" outer perimeter wire, bury it and put field stone the base of the fence. We do have one chicken that is always out every morning, and we have no idea how she's getting out. I'm sure the 18" buried wire will fix that problem. I doubt she is flying the fence.

Thanks again for everyone's help. I'll take a photo of her once I take her dressings off and wash her up.

 

[juliag103]

Thank everyone so much. I have her clutch mate in with her, and they are doing well. Ava is eating and drinking normally, she just looks rather pathetic with no secondary flight feathers and bloody wings. She is laying down a lot, which I can imagine is normal. I'll take the dressings off, and send my husband in for some betadine and blukote. I've used blukote quite a bit on horses, and had good luck with it. She's very docile and is doing well with the stress of being crated and in pain. When the wound is being irrigated, should I just take her inside to the bathtub? I have a sprayer that detaches from the shower head. I think I will trim off the hanging skin, then I can better see the wounds and how they are healing.

As for what attacked her, I'm a little confused. There was a huge feather bomb in the coop, too. So, whatever got Ava was also in the coop. Fox, maybe? Coyote or bobcat (unless the cat climbed a tree, but I imagine it would have taken the chicken with it, and I'm not missing any chickens) would be too large to get in. The run is 25'x25' with an 8' fence, but as they've been scratching it up, we've been going around and blocking holes as we find them. Today I'm going to run an 18" outer perimeter wire, bury it and put field stone the base of the fence. We do have one chicken that is always out every morning, and we have no idea how she's getting out. I'm sure the 18" buried wire will fix that problem. I doubt she is flying the fence.

Thanks again for everyone's help. I'll take a photo of her once I take her dressings off and wash her up.

 

[juliag103]

Thank everyone so much. I have her clutch mate in with her, and they are doing well. Ava is eating and drinking normally, she just looks rather pathetic with no secondary flight feathers and bloody wings. She is laying down a lot, which I can imagine is normal. I'll take the dressings off, and send my husband in for some betadine and blukote. I've used blukote quite a bit on horses, and had good luck with it. She's very docile and is doing well with the stress of being crated and in pain. When the wound is being irrigated, should I just take her inside to the bathtub? I have a sprayer that detaches from the shower head. I think I will trim off the hanging skin, then I can better see the wounds and how they are healing.

As for what attacked her, I'm a little confused. There was a huge feather bomb in the coop, too. So, whatever got Ava was also in the coop. Fox, maybe? Coyote or bobcat (unless the cat climbed a tree, but I imagine it would have taken the chicken with it, and I'm not missing any chickens) would be too large to get in. The run is 25'x25' with an 8' fence, but as they've been scratching it up, we've been going around and blocking holes as we find them. Today I'm going to run an 18" outer perimeter wire, bury it and put field stone the base of the fence. We do have one chicken that is always out every morning, and we have no idea how she's getting out. I'm sure the 18" buried wire will fix that problem. I doubt she is flying the fence.

Thanks again for everyone's help. I'll take a photo of her once I take her dressings off and wash her up.