Fox attack - limp neck

[biophiliac]

@KikisGirls , any other ideas?

 

[coach723]

Coach723, how long will a hen stay in shock, without moving, and still be okay? For my own edification.

Can't say I know a definitive answer to that, certainly several hours. I have had them act shocky for 24 hours before. But usually you will start to see some improvement within a few hours of getting them warm and hydrated and in a quiet place. Depending on the injuries, it can take longer to see improvement. And not really knowing the extent of the injuries in this case, hard to say. And minimizing handling them as much as you can during this period. That is a judgement call, since you have to provide some care, but too much handling can cause more shock.

 

[casportpony]

did have some Metacam on hand and gave her 2ccs.

Is your Metacam 1.5 mg/ml or 0.5 mg/ml?

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Can't say I know a definitive answer to that, certainly several hours. I have had them act shocky for 24 hours before. But usually you will start to see some improvement within a few hours of getting them warm and hydrated and in a quiet place. Depending on the injuries, it can take longer to see improvement. And not really knowing the extent of the injuries in this case, hard to say. And minimizing handling them as much as you can during this period. That is a judgement call, since you have to provide some care, but too much handling can cause more shock.

Thank you

 

[Summer Lion]

Ursuline, I've no advice, but wanted to say how very sorry I am that this happened. Good luck with your girl. Foxes do have babies this time of year and will certainly come back especially with mouths to feed. so be prepared if you can.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Ursuline, I've no advice, but wanted to say how very sorry I am that this happened. Good luck with your girl. Foxes do have babies this time of year and will certainly come back especially with mouths to feed. so be prepared if you can.

It's not me, but thank you. It's poor loona who is having the problem, my heart goes out to her

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I do agree, she will have to get rid of the fox, her decision how, but I would do it quickly, before she has to go through this again

 

[Summer Lion]

Our only EE laid balled up laying still, feathers everywhere as the fox ran out. This happened in the middle of the night last night. My daughter was awakened by the horses and chickens clucking. I carried Olga to the house and laid her down. Her neck is so limp and she just lays there with eyes closed. I've nursed her all night cleaning her wounds. Bite marks to the neck and her vent is torn. She is miserable and I feel she is suffering.

She has gotten a few spastic moments. I did have some Metacam on hand and gave her 2ccs. I have no idea what to do. It's breaking my heart. I don't know whether to give her some time or figure out a way to put her to sleep.

The worst of the attack is her neck. It can't be broken, or she'd be dead, but I imagine there is the soft tissue damage, just don't know how extensive. There are puncture wounds and I have cleaned them several times and they're not bleeding anymore.

Taking her to a vet is not an option as they will just put her down because of her appearance. She's still alive though and she is a tough hen, the biggest too, top of the pecking order. I just love her so much and hate to see this and I just don't know what to do.

I have her laying on her side with a soft towel around her to keep her feet warm. I've flipped her to the other side once. It's about 8am and I've been up since 2am. I'm exhausted, worried and feeling sick over the whole ordeal. She just lays there with eyes closed. Won't open them. Her breathing isn't labored, it's normal. I have put some ml's of water into her mouth a couple times, but not sure if that's good or bad. IDK what to do. I'm not sure if theres a chance of recovery or not.

I would really love to here if you've been through this before . Is this a common reaction after surviving a fox attack? Thank you so much in advance for any thoughts.

Marsha

I've no advice to give, but I wanted to say how sorry I am for you and your girl....I do hope she pulls through. Foxes have babies now, and with mouths to feed, she'll be back so be prepared if you can.

 

[Loona]

OK, so my older daughter arrived and we used the towl to pick up Olga. She seemed to want to push up with her feet, so I think that is a sign she isn't paralyzed. She seemed to like being held in an upright position and a moment later pooped all over the floor. Which I didn't mind one bit! It was a bit runny as to be expected. We gave her 10ml of water in divided amounts. She took it quite well. She finally opened her eyes, it was so nice to see but they are a bit puffy around the edges. She's still sleepy looking but she seemed to welcome the move. She was able to put her head in a certain chicken position but still quite limp.
I do have some Clavamox from a previous incident where the roo ripped the skin clear off one side of a hen and I did take her to the vet and she gave me that antibiotic, but in all honestly after a day or two on it she acted like nothing was wrong, perfectly fine so I stopped giving it to her and only cleaned the wound w/Chlorhexidine solution. I am debated on whether to go ahead and give her an initial 250mg dose because of the fox bites/punctures on her neck. I'm not sure how well she swallows though and not much is in her crop, and the stuff smells and I know it tastes bad. I'm wondering if it might not be so good to give her on any "empty crop"?? She has zero appetite. I did offer her watermelon and she wouldn't take one swipe. I put a few tiny pieces in her mouth and she did eat it/swallow it down. That's the other thing that worries me is her swallowing capability can't be so great right now : \

The good news is I am seeing more "life" from her. Eyes opening, drinking the water, moving when she is held as if she wants to position her legs. But all of this is coming from a still very weak chicken. Not seeing any "strength" but def signs of life. She seems 'dazed' and weak, but the pressure she was putting on my arms tells me she can't be paralyzed. Thank goodness.

So now I'm contemplating the antibiotic. Do you think its a good idea? Thank you all so much for being here. Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. Since the last email, my daughter and I fixed the roof section where that sucker went in and went to Sounthern States to get some electrolytes for the water. Thanks again!

Marsha

 

[Loona]

I've no advice to give, but I wanted to say how sorry I am for you and your girl....I do hope she pulls through. Foxes have babies now, and with mouths to feed, she'll be back so be prepared if you can.

Yes! It's scaring me! We did go fix the roof area where it went in. For three years it seemed to be very safe yet this one very small corner that sucker went right in under the deer fencing. The wall is like 6.5 or 7 feet! We may just tack on an entire full sheet of plywood 8' tall right there because I think the mesh on the fencing allow it to get a lift onto the roof. Very scary!! I am so scared it will be back!! I do think that sucker will. My hens will be locked up tight.