Dog attaked chicken stitched back together *graphic pics*

[Farmer Kitty]

Good job! I would keep it clean, a topical antibiotic lotion, and give her the penicillian. As for how long to keep the stitches in I've had stiches in animals for 1 to 2 weeks. I've been told that any longer than 2 weeks doesn't do any good. I guess I would take them out of one small section and see how it goes when the wound looks ready.

Good luck and keep us posted on how she does.

 

[Alleyoops25]

I did forget to say I did the asprin thing.. got the penicillon form the feed store. And I am not sure what the stitches are made out of. I guess what ever stitches are made of. I had bought a small thing of stitching thread from the feed store. I took out the trash or I would go and dig the packaage up. I dont think its cotton. It was supposed to be setrilized but my 9 yr. old helper opended it with dirty hands. I will see if my dh or even maybe my dd remembers what it was called. I like to keep a lot of med supplies around. I turned a big tackle box into a first aide kit. Between having stitches done on myself, and have helped in stitching up animals and people in previous work I had a good Idea of what to do. I really didnt want to have to do it myself. I didnt want to hurt her anymore than she already was. But I know if I would have waited for a vet she would have been dead. She seems to know that we are helping her. Even though we had handled her a lot as a chick she grew up to love to avoid us. Now she eats up the attention. she sits on our lap and lets us look at her wounds, and clean them. She is doing a little better tonight she will eat and drink on her own. She doesnt take in much on one go, I think it must hurt her breast. But if I can keep her from getting a infection I think she will be back to her stuck up self here in a few days. I would advise all BYC people to go and buy the stuff to do stitches. This hen would have been dead if I didnt have the stuff to do it. It's not a pleasant thing to have to do, but I rather do it than have to go and burry one of our favorite chickens.

 

[johnnyjack]

U HAD IT ALL ON HAND. YOU WERE READY LOL.HOPE SHE TURNS OUT OK.

 

[bunch-a-chickens]

wow. see, i wouldn't have takin a chance, put her down, when all i would have to do is exactly what you did, and i'd 1 chicken short.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
I too advise anyone with animals to have these supplies on hand. The stuff that I get from our farm supply store disolves on it's own. You may want to double check on that with yours, it would save trying to figure it out and having to take them all out yourself. It would be a blessing to her if they disolve!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Alley,

I am in awe that you would go through that much effort. I must admit
I would have put the bird down with those injuries.

Unbelievable job and my prayers and happy thoughts are in their way to
you. WOW, your amazing.

Don

 

[jjthink]

How's she doing?

 

[dlhunicorn]

Here are my collected articles on wound management:
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=practical&action=display&num=1158141893

...on the AVIAN WOUND MANAGEMENT site I have excerpted the following for you (please note that they (and the MERCK) advise amoxcillin) :
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2003/august/Cousquer/Avian-Wound-Assessment.html
excerpt summary on TREATMENT measures:
First aid
Traumatised birds often have multiple injuries and may be further compromised by dehydration, malnutrition and other problems, especially if there has been a delay (hours or days) between injury and presentation [1]. Fluid and nutritional therapy and treatment for shock are critical in the early management of all traumatised birds. Overzealous wound and fracture treatment before stabilisation of the bird may prove fatal [1]. Some first aid of the wound, however, will inevitably be required.

Wound first aid will usually be performed at the time of the initial or subsequent clinical examination. It need not be high tech but should fulfil a number of basic objectives:

Cleaning - The wound should be cleaned quickly to remove as much contamination as possible. A more thorough cleaning should await veterinary examination of the wound. This is usually performed under general anaesthetic to help minimise stress . Sterile isotonic saline (0.9%) or a solution of 0.05% chlorhexidine may be used. Care should be taken not to wet the bird excessively as this is likely to increase the risks of hypothermia.

Haemostasis - veterinary attention should be requested if there is excessive bleeding. Bleeding from most small wounds will stop following the application of a wound dressing.

Protection from dehydration - the use of a hydrogel (e.g. Intrasite) will help protect a wound. This can be covered by a vapour permeable film dressing (e.g. Opsite) to provide further protection.

Immobilisation - certain wounds may benefit from immobilisation or splinting. A figure of eight dressing can be used to immobilise the lower wing, for example, or the limb can be strapped to the body.

Analgesia and antibiotics - broad spectrum antibiotics can be provided in the first instance: clavulanic acid potentiated amoxycillin (150mg/kg orally or subcutaneously) will provide cover against most aerobes and anaerobes. Analgesia can be provided with NSAIDs (e.g. carprofen (Rimadyl)) 5mg/kg subcutaneously or intravenously. Local anaesthetics should not be used in birds due to the suggested sensitivity of birds to drugs of the procaine group "."

Those interested in suturing might find my collected articles on that of interest:
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=practical&action=display&num=1158144643

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

Fantastic Job!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she heals back up good as new!

As an odd question, did you use anything to anesthetize (sp??) her or the wound to keep her so quiet?

Meghan

 

[GloriaH]

I keep two 5 gallon buckets with lids in the house. One for Goats and one for Chickens. I put all my emergency supplies in them. That way all I have to do is grab a bucket and go.