Help bear attack... should I euthanize?

[ryneaeiel]

Out of curiosity. I used to raise bearded dragons and would from time to time get rescues that were in really bad shape and Id have to give them subcutaeous shots of antibiotics etc.

Is this something that is do able with a chicken too if you had to? Give her shots of antibiotics?

Yes, you can give her shots of antibiotics, the only issue is that most of the antibiotics were banned from commercial/OTC sale in 2017, and can only be obtained by prescription from a vet. We're unfortunately having to work with what @CCinVT has on hand.

Subcutaneous injections are also rarely given in birds because of how long it takes for them to go into effect. Most injections are intramuscular and injected into the thigh.

This is her poo this morning. Still yellow.

It's looking better than it did yesterday -- I think the yellow is because of the infection.

Is there saline that still might be getting into the puncture?

Possibly, but since you're packing it I doubt that it's anything more than moisture, not full liquid -- the gauze should soak up most of the liquid.

Also, I can see where she's healing up!

If you feel you need to cut away the necrotic tissue, get a scalpel (or sharp pocket knife) and hold it over a lighter/flame until it turns reddish-orange. This will kill off any bacteria on it. Let it cool off back to normal temperature before SCRAPING at the necrotic tissue. Remember that less is better when you're scraping -- only remove the worst parts. It's better to miss a small area that can be saturated with antibiotics than to accidentally cut into healthy flesh.

The scraping will make it less uncomfortable for her, and it reduces the risk of accidentally cutting her (compared to forcibly cutting away the necrotic tissue, which can result in cutting tissue that isn't ready to come off.)

 

[Ascholten]

Sometimes you can get tetracycline and meds like that at like walmarts an such in the fish department. They sell them as antibiotic pills to drop into your fish tank for this or that malady. Id dissolve them in water and inject when needed. or you can get like one of those turkey baster things w/o the needle to force food down their gullet if need be. A jerkey cannon can work too in a bad time. Stick the tube down their throat and pump some food into them but that's rather harsh.

Aaron

 

[ryneaeiel]

Yeah, CC actually has been using a syringe to feed her antibiotics as a paste. It worked great, which is good news.

When my Savannah monitor had severe MBD (and MBD-induced seizures) and didn't even have the strength to bite, I hand-fed him with a syringe using Oxbow's Critical Care Carnivore diet. It worked so well that I used their herbivore version when I took in a neglected iguana.

@CCinVT, you might want to actually try syringe-feeding her with Oxbow's Critical Care for omnivores. It's a great way to make sure she's getting nutrients in her, and will help get her used to syringes so you can give her the antibiotics more easily as well.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Critical Care is great stuff!

 

[Chick-Mahal]

quite frankly, I'd put her down.
She could survive those injuries BUT since chickens can't take pain meds, it will be excruciating.

I agree with you euthanize it, I grew up raising all our own animals for food and I learned early on a non-productive animal is not what you want. Had a lamb that continued to push after the baby was born and kept getting protracted uterus, had the vet put it back twice then she went to the butcher. My dog on the other hand is like my child, good to have been raised to have the distinction.

 

[Gizabelle]

I agree with you euthanize it, I grew up raising all our own animals for food and I learned early on a non-productive animal is not what you want. Had a lamb that continued to push after the baby was born and kept getting protracted uterus, had the vet put it back twice then she went to the butcher. My dog on the other hand is like my child, good to have been raised to have the distinction.

After doing everything in her power to save this bird for nearly a week, I think she's past the point of looking for opinions in that arena.

 

[ryneaeiel]

non-productive animal

There's nothing to suggest that this hen is non-productive, she was just attacked by a predator.

After doing everything in her power to save this bird for nearly a week, I think she's past the point of looking for opinions in that arena.

CC's stated that if the hen begins to rapidly decline, she'd euthanize, but as of right now the hen is doing well and beginning to heal. I agree that euthanasia is probably off the table now, especially after everything the hen has gone through to heal this far.

 

[Chick-Mahal]

Glad it is doing better

 

[Chicalina]

I have read your whole thread today and am in total awe at your care and love for this hen. You are doing so well treating her.

And the support and advice from @ryneaeiel is amazing. I thought I knew first aid and basic wound care, but I've learned loads from this thread. Thank you.

What do you think about treating the wound with honey? Would you consider it a good alternative to the ointment, or just an emergency substitute when you've got nothing else?

 

[ryneaeiel]

I have read your whole thread today and am in total awe at your care and love for this hen. You are doing so well treating her.

And the support and advice from @ryneaeiel is amazing. I thought I knew first aid and basic wound care, but I've learned loads from this thread. Thank you.

What do you think about treating the wound with honey? Would you consider it a good alternative to the ointment, or just an emergency substitute when you've got nothing else?

Honestly I'd say emergency substitute. I don't have much experience with treating wounds with honey. The antibacterial properties aren't much compared to actual antibiotics, but it seems like it would be useful in a pinch. I'd never use raw or store-bought honey, however -- the former is unfiltered and thus more likely to cause an infection, and the latter is very sugary and can also cause infection.

There's two brands of medicinal honey used for treating wounds -- Manuka honey and MediHoney. They're both sterilized and approved for medicinal use, so I'd see about picking it up and maybe trying it on a small spot of a wound and see how that area does compared to the rest.