Energency - dog attack chicken

[Kangasox]

Neighbor just came down and dog got off leash, grab the chicken, dropped it when she yelled. I found the chicken, she has a hole in her skin I can see her organs, I guess. Best to cull and put her out of her misery right now?

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she having any trouble breathing? The lungs are local in the upper back, and chickens have air sacs thoughout the body. Is she able to stand or walk? Awake and alert, or in shock? During an attack they may be squeezed causing internal injury. Wounds generally heal well if disinfected and infection is prevented. I would get some Hibiclens (chlorhexidene) and water 50:50 or Equate First Aid Solution (Betadine) at Walmart or a pharmacy nearby, and disinfect the wound. Apply antibiotic ointment twice a day after cleaning. At first peroxide or saline may be squirted into the wound (only once) to flush out bacteria. Then only use the other antiseptics recommended. Keep her separated, in a warm quiet area in a dog crate or a basket, offer water and food when out of shock.

 

[Ginmary]

I have read about so many chickens with worse wounds that have healed completely. I say give her a chance...

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is some chicken anatomy:

 

[MLG1900]

Oh, I am so sorry. This is a bad wound for sure. I see your post is from earlier today. I don't know if your chicken is still alive or not. Please update us.

I had a chicken survive a Fox attack (dropped the hen when I screamed) She had a bad wound on her lower back above the tail. I could see her muscle. The bite marks on upper back were actually under her wings but were more superficial. Skin was punctured and skin filling with fluid or small air bubbles but not a large wound like this. I cleaned the wounds with blue kote and the larger wound I sprinkled with sugar to dry it out.

 

[Kangasox]

I ended up culling her. Her breathing was very hitchy and I found another large wound on her side. They were both quarter size and I could smell her internal smell (if you've butchered a bird and have any idea what I mean). I've helped a few ducks recover from some gnarly wounds, but these were large holes. Terrible way to start a Monday. I don't blame the dog, but I HATE retractable leashes. Thanks for the help.

 

[Kangasox]

Here is some chicken anatomy:

It was directly between her wings, and I suspect her lungs were what I could see, and also a side wound that may have effected her abdominal air sac. Poor girl. Good graphic for me to save, though.

 

[glassdragonfly]

So sorry.

 

[MLG1900]

I am so sorry. I think those wounds were definitely terminal. You did the right thing. So sad. I know what you mean about retractable leashes. As a new dog owner, I didn't know the dangers. I even did not believe when people told me that they knew a puppy that ran under a bus because the leash broke! Well, one day I was walking my dog and our leash broke! Threw that thing away and never got another one!

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss, and it sounds like you did the best thing to help prevent suffering.