Dog bite on 15 week old

[Ruby Rogue]

The OP didn't say if its a Cockerel or not. I'm helping the OP based on experience, but, I'm telling her how to treat the chicken based on Evidence Based Veterinarian treatment.
But, you did make a good suggestion for seeking help.

I agree with everything you said about ointment and flystrike, and quarantining him, but she did say he.... And of course a vet is the best option, and besides, I haven't had to deal with this but have seen a lot of similar threads. Thanks for being here to help

 

[Vickischics]

I agree with everything you said about ointment and flystrike, and quarantining him, but she did say he.... And of course a vet is the best option, and besides, I haven't had to deal with this but have seen a lot of similar threads. Thanks for being here to help

Yes, unfortunately, Dogs bites are very common with chickens and any other preditor. The other common injury is from other flock mates.
The good news is..our chickens are tough and if they survive the "Shock" part, they'll pretty much pull through the injury part with good treatment of the caregiver.

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

Yes, unfortunately, Dogs bites are very common with chickens and any other preditor. The other common injury is from other flock mates.
The good news is..our chickens are tough and if they survive the "Shock" part, they'll pretty much pull through the injury part with good treatment of the caregiver.

I worked in veterinary for five years so my care management is pretty strong it’s just getting my husband to stay on board with it and not think that it’s too much of a hassle to deal with. He would rather have chicken noodle soup than waste time caring for a chicken but as someone who spent so long working with animals it’s hard for me to not give them a fighting chance.

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

Update: He spent all day inside in a dog kennel with regular food/water since I wasn’t home to fix him up anything else.
After my husband got off work I had him help hold while I looked at the wound again it actually looked a lot better not being fresh.
I trimmed away some feathers but my scissors suck and I gave up.
I attempted to pull out all the feathers stuck in the wound (not pull from the skin but just remove them from the wound) but 1 remained after all my efforts and I was wanting to cause the least amount of harm and stress.
I used Iodine diluted with purified bottled water (luckily this is something I’ve made 1000x in the vet industry so I know the right shade which is light tea color for anyone reading this that doesn’t know) and I had a sterile syringe to administer it into the wound. I used a sterile gauze square to try and debride the wound (mostly trying to get the feather out - pro tip dry gauze works best for getting those pesky hairs/feathers out as they stick to it well) and then used it to catch any falling solution so I didn’t soak the floor or him.
I then used a ton of Triple Antibiotic (with NO pain meds in it) to cover the full extent of the wound which is roughly the size of a quarter to half dollar somewhere in the middle.
We set him down for me to take a photo but his feathers conceal it once he’s set down so I opened the feather curtains and applied more triple antibiotic just to make sure we had all our bases covered.
I changed his plain water out to electrolyte water - but should I still offer plain in addition to that?
I made him some scrambled eggs and when whisking them I added whole vitamin D milk cause that’s always how I see my husband make them I don’t eat scrambled so I figured more protein wouldn’t hurt.
He ate maybe 4-6 pecks while my daughter also helped herself to his plate it was pretty cute seeing them share.

He seems to be in a bit of pain as any bite victim would be but he was a trooper for his cleaning. I read diluting aspirin down in the drinking water would be okay once all bleeding stops is this something that is necessary? Or only for brutal attacks?

From what I can tell this is the only puncture. I think he just got caught in the front teeth and his fragile skin ripped. Nothing internal looks damaged.

I wish birds could handle hydrotherapy as I’ve seen so many great recoveries in just 2-3 days on skin/muscle in dogs.

I’m just hoping to get him past the shock phase since my daughter *I feel* is stressing him with her normal 1.5yr old personality. Her skreeching, stomping and frolicking are obviously a bit much for him even with him being in the furthest room from her.

I would add an updated photo but it didn’t not come out well and I didn’t want to keep handling him to try and get a better one.

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

Update: He seems to be doing well.
He tonight tried preening his feathers after I applied the triple antibiotic should I be concerned about this??
He is also ready to get out of the dog kennel always trying to push his way out.
I flushed again and applied triple antibiotic and his crop is full.
I made him scrambled eggs for breakfast and dinner and he ate well and had regular food offered all day and electrolytes.
It’s crazy how much chickens poop also I wish I kept my chux pads from when I had a home birth Much easier to toss then have to launder 2 towels.
He seems to be healing fine and doing fine but I’m sure he’s ready to get back to free ranging I just want to see the area closed up more before that.

 

[Isadora]

I wish I kept my chux pads from when I had a home birth.

I see the words "home" and "birth" together and I have to comment. I've had all 4 of my kids at home. Amazing experience! The idea of having to deliver in a hospital is dreadful and stressful. Hopefully I never have a need for it.

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

I see the words "home" and "birth" together and I have to comment. I've had all 4 of my kids at home. Amazing experience! The idea of having to deliver in a hospital is dreadful and stressful. Hopefully I never have a need for it.

Yassss It was a no brainer for me to deliver at home! Hospitals are dreadful places!! Plus they restrict your ability to have a natural birth the way our bodies intended. I have no regrets. Walking my property to keep my contractions up, slow dancing with my partner, birthing in a pool in my room and then GETTING TO LAY IN MY BIG BED afterwards that’s really what sealed the deal for me. I loved my midwife too - she delivered my husbands younger siblings as an unofficial midwife at the time but was best friends with his mom. Home births are where it’s at

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

Update:
I’m still cleaning with diluted iodine - should I discontinue this??
I apply triple antibiotic twice daily after cleansing.
He is eating and drinking amazingly. Always a full crop at night and empty in the morning.
Always lots of normal looking poop.
He seems ready to get out of the kennel but the wound is still very much open and “gaping” for lack of better words.
He trembles when I start working on him I’m unsure if it’s pain related or because I’m flushing with a solution that’s probably cooler then his internal temp.
He preens his feathers a lot.
Especially after I clean and apply the cream should I worry about this??
I figured I’d see more skin adhesion at this point is there something I’m doing wrong??

 

[Vickischics]

Update: He seems to be doing well.
He tonight tried preening his feathers after I applied the triple antibiotic should I be concerned about this??
He is also ready to get out of the dog kennel always trying to push his way out.
I flushed again and applied triple antibiotic and his crop is full.
I made him scrambled eggs for breakfast and dinner and he ate well and had regular food offered all day and electrolytes.
It’s crazy how much chickens poop also I wish I kept my chux pads from when I had a home birth Much easier to toss then have to launder 2 towels.
He seems to be healing fine and doing fine but I’m sure he’s ready to get back to free ranging I just want to see the area closed up more before that.

Sorry, I've been MIA. I am a maternal/child nurse and work nights.
He will let you know when he's ready to see the girls. Give him visitation time but, watch him so dirt, nats and flys don't get into the wound.
Keep up the good work. Allow your instincts to guide you as you have experience as a Vet Tech.
Your officially a chicken keeper now!
Yes, some people(husband) may think a $3.99 chicken isn't worth the extra effort but, we care about our pets and thats great for the pet receiving our special Mama Hen love and care. Good for you. Don't fret over the feather as the wound heals from the inside/bottom upward the feather might be pushed out or in better view to grab it.
Take pictures when you can with the progress. You need it for you!
I have some pretty gory pictures that I've healed on my girls and I use it as affirmation that I CAN do this. And when someone else needs help, you'll be able to share what worked for you.
A big Taadah goes to YOU!!!
Please keep me updated and you can email me if you need anything more quickly.
Vicki

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

Sorry, I've been MIA. I am a maternal/child nurse and work nights.
He will let you know when he's ready to see the girls. Give him visitation time but, watch him so dirt, nats and flys don't get into the wound.
Keep up the good work. Allow your instincts to guide you as you have experience as a Vet Tech.
Your officially a chicken keeper now!
Yes, some people(husband) may think a $3.99 chicken isn't worth the extra effort but, we care about our pets and thats great for the pet receiving our special Mama Hen love and care. Good for you. Don't fret over the feather as the wound heals from the inside/bottom upward the feather might be pushed out or in better view to grab it.
Take pictures when you can with the progress. You need it for you!
I have some pretty gory pictures that I've healed on my girls and I use it as affirmation that I CAN do this. And when someone else needs help, you'll be able to share what worked for you.
A big Taadah goes to YOU!!!
Please keep me updated and you can email me if you need anything more quickly.
Vicki

I was just about to tag you and previous commenters to see if maybe my updates weren’t making it to notifications.
I feel so lost being that chickens are one thing I don’t have much vet experience on! I just know their skin is so fragile we hardly did any surgical repairs. If ever actually
Huge thank you to you working that night shift though That’s where I learned a lot of my emergency medical knowledge but the shift was still hard regardless what I learned!
I need to take photos but during the day it’s just my 18m old daughter and I so I try and hurry while she’s distracted and she usually catches me in the middle so I try and rush out to cause the least amount of stress.
I heavily fear sending him out too early and getting fly strike because he isn’t easy to catch and they free range.
I wanted to see more connection or closure before letting him out. I’m thinking maybe Wednesday he can enjoy some time outside again but I know he hating being in the kennel. Mostly cause I bet it’s soooooo boring and he’s not getting those good bugs I’m sure he gets.