Dog bite on chickens leg! Help!

[Dubya D]

My 7 month old lab attacked one of my chickens today and it is pretty bad. It looks like she basically skinned her poor leg exposing the whole muscle of the leg. I cleaned her leg with water, put antibiotic cream on it and I put her in her own crate with food and water. She is walking on it ok but she couldn't hop on the roosting stick that I put of for them. What else should I do? I need help!

 

[Calm]

Hello Dubya

Could you take the bird to the vets for an anti jab, and maybe stitch the skin back together,

 

[Cole D]

I would take it to a vet. If it will be a few days til the vet sees it then you need to clean the wound at night with iodine if you have it or warm water. If you are worried about the skin gaping open all day you can get some vet wrap and cut a small piece and wrap it so the skin covers the wound. Just make sure the whole wound is not covered by the vet wrap.

 

[JKRopee]

A dog I'm pet sitting for, grabbed one of my hen's leg. It didn't break the skin but she is limping and her foot is obviously bruised. She is 'fluffy' so I can't really tell if her leg is swollen. She is trying to get around, is still eating/drinking/pooping, etc. But I am concerned that she is in pain. I read on BYC that I can give her a baby-aspirin in a quart of water or try putting it in food. Any other suggestions?

I am wondering if I should isolate her in our chick brooder until she is getting around a little better?

 

[Cole D]

I dont know about the aspirin( I'm sure someone else will chime in) but I would separate her so she gets enough food and water. It will also be easier to give her the aspirin...

 

[ten chicks]

A dog I'm pet sitting for, grabbed one of my hen's leg. It didn't break the skin but she is limping and her foot is obviously bruised. She is 'fluffy' so I can't really tell if her leg is swollen. She is trying to get around, is still eating/drinking/pooping, etc. But I am concerned that she is in pain. I read on BYC that I can give her a baby-aspirin in a quart of water or try putting it in food. Any other suggestions?

I am wondering if I should isolate her in our chick brooder until she is getting around a little better?

You can soak her leg in an epsom salt soak for about 15-20 minutes,great for sprains/sore muscles. Baby aspirin(81mg)can be given for pain,dose is 25mg per lb of body weight,sprinkle over food or put in water. Yes,i would separate her for a couple of days,just to ensure her leg/foot is healing and she is able to walk.

 

[JKRopee]

I have set up the brooder (rabbit hutch) in the chicken yard to keep her comfortable and near her pals. Aspirin in water and lots of TLC. She is my favorite hen and best layer in the yard.

 

[ten chicks]

I have set up the brooder (rabbit hutch) in the chicken yard to keep her comfortable and near her pals. Aspirin in water and lots of TLC. She is my favorite hen and best layer in the yard.

Word of caution,do not keep her in the rabbit hutch overnight or unattended in yard,any predator will be able to rip through hutch.

 

[JKRopee]

Good reminder! The chicken yard is fairly protected but I know predators can be sneaky. I will put her in the regular coop at night. . . and luckily I will be working from home most of the next couple of days. So I can monitor the situation.

 

[Dubya D]

I do not know what an anti jab is. I considered taking her to the vet but there is no skin left on the leg to stitch up. It looks like the skin was ripped clean off up to her breast. The whole leg is exposed with no skin on it at all. She is eating and drinking and I noticed healthy droppings in her crate. Any ideas on what I could give her for the pain or how to further treat her leg? Please let me know!