Help bear attack... should I euthanize?

[KaseySnow]

I'm so glad the hole is closing. It would freak me out being able to see into her lungs like that, I'd be so worried about getting liquid in there and causing pneumonia or introducing infection into the lungs. I wonder if it's hard for her to breath with her lungs punctured like that?

Chickens are amazingly sturdy animals I guess, she seems to be doing well under your care. <3 More power to ya, chicken mom! You're doing amazing.

 

[ryneaeiel]

I dont have a super huge syringe. The biggest I have is a 3ml.

That's fine! You get more control over the amount you irrigate when you use a smaller syringe anyway.

I'd be so worried about getting liquid in there and causing pneumonia or introducing infection into the lungs

Pneumonia a concern for me too, but an infection will kill her faster than pneumonia would, and pneumonia would be easier to treat in the long run. I'd take pneumonia over sepsis!

I wonder if it's hard for her to breath with her lungs punctured like that?

I'm not sure actually — birds like chickens have air sacs in addition to lungs. However, birds have two lungs just like we do, and if something should happen to one lung, they can still survive with the remaining lung active. Only one of her lungs/sacs was pierced, so I imagine it shouldn't trouble her too much.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks so much for all the support. It helps to know theres some people out there cheering us on and hoping for the best

100% behind you! I was thinking earlier about this post and wanting to look for updates.

Around November/December time I tried in vain to save a sick hen for a long time, she was in my flat for more than a month before peacefully passing away. Everybody thought I was mad but trying to save her became an obsession and I don't regret my efforts - I am sure you will be more successful than me and I feel there is a good chance your girl will pull through with the fantastic care you are giving her. I just wanted to mention it because I know how stressful it is to be caring for them day in and day out, never being totally sure what's going on inside and whether it will work out. Truly a labour of love! But you are doing an awesome job!

 

[Farm Up North]

I have learned so much from this thread. I had no idea that bears go for chickens, for one! Your devotion to your chicky is admirable. I don't have any medical advice, but I am watching this thread and rooting for her recovery!

 

[ryneaeiel]

@CCinVT How's she doing this morning?

 

[CCinVT]

@CCinVT How's she doing this morning?

Today was a busy day so I didnt get to put her outside. She spent most of yesterday outside though, and all her friends hung out around her crate dust bathing. She stretched out and played in the sun too, ate weeds, and pecked around. I've had to keep using wrap on her to hold the gauze on cause she pulls it off when she gets the chance. She will even pull out the packed strips of gauze. I think being outside is encouraging her to eat more. I have continue to mix in cat kibbles with her feed, but also have been throwing her toddler scraps from her unfinished meals... so she also ate some baked beans broccoli and eggs... buts of veggies.
This morning she seemed to be resting more, and not as up and active. Not in distress but acctually resting. So I left her inside with the lights low. When I came home she clearly had eaten food, and has had some of the closest to normal poos I've seen so far!
As of today her wounds are really peeling up and coming off around the edges. Ots pink amd healed underneath. The underneath of the gash (and one section of under the wing is the only areas that isnt totally healed over yet, and are still getting packed. I feel no more hot spots, and no bad smells. It's amazing to me that I can see I'm needing less gauze to pack the holes. I can no longer see the opening in the gash that was breathing...I can see where it was but it looks closed. She even has pin feathers poking up all over her back! That surprised me. There were none yesterday. She def. Hates having to have the gauze wrapped on but she pulled it off and messes with it if it's not held on. She is getting fiesty when I try to wipe off her wounds, and as far as shes concerned I think she thinks shes ready to join her friends and move back to the coop! Its pretty amazing to see some of the lighter wounded areas and around the edges just peel off in big sections to reveal healthy new skin underneath. Tomorrow is the last of my antibiotics. I've been giving it to her on breat bits with the cat treat shrimp paste on top and she eats it up. So so far we are still doing good. I wont be do e being worried still shes all healed, bit it's nice to see her actually get up and pick at her food on her own without coaxing. The picture is her tonight eatting her bread crumb antibiotics

 

[ryneaeiel]

Today was a busy day so I didnt get to put her outside. She spent most of yesterday outside though, and all her friends hung out around her crate dust bathing. She stretched out and played in the sun too, ate weeds, and pecked around. I've had to keep using wrap on her to hold the gauze on cause she pulls it off when she gets the chance. She will even pull out the packed strips of gauze. I think being outside is encouraging her to eat more. I have continue to mix in cat kibbles with her feed, but also have been throwing her toddler scraps from her unfinished meals... so she also ate some baked beans broccoli and eggs... buts of veggies.
This morning she seemed to be resting more, and not as up and active. Not in distress but acctually resting. So I left her inside with the lights low. When I came home she clearly had eaten food, and has had some of the closest to normal poos I've seen so far!
As of today her wounds are really peeling up and coming off around the edges. Ots pink amd healed underneath. The underneath of the gash (and one section of under the wing is the only areas that isnt totally healed over yet, and are still getting packed. I feel no more hot spots, and no bad smells. It's amazing to me that I can see I'm needing less gauze to pack the holes. I can no longer see the opening in the gash that was breathing...I can see where it was but it looks closed. She even has pin feathers poking up all over her back! That surprised me. There were none yesterday. She def. Hates having to have the gauze wrapped on but she pulled it off and messes with it if it's not held on. She is getting fiesty when I try to wipe off her wounds, and as far as shes concerned I think she thinks shes ready to join her friends and move back to the coop! Its pretty amazing to see some of the lighter wounded areas and around the edges just peel off in big sections to reveal healthy new skin underneath. Tomorrow is the last of my antibiotics. I've been giving it to her on breat bits with the cat treat shrimp paste on top and she eats it up. So so far we are still doing good. I wont be do e being worried still shes all healed, bit it's nice to see her actually get up and pick at her food on her own without coaxing. The picture is her tonight eatting her bread crumb antibiotics View attachment 2688912

That makes me so happy to hear!

I'd keep her inside a bit longer until her wounds completely heal over just to make sure she's getting her antibiotics, and just in case there's infection somewhere deeper inside (and to keep any of the open wounds from getting infected. There's a lot of bacteria in chicken coops!)

It really sounds like she's doing great! What a trooper!

 

[Gizabelle]

So glad to hear she's improving!

I've had to keep using wrap on her to hold the gauze on cause she pulls it off when she gets the chance. She will even pull out the packed strips of gauze.

Would a hen saddle covering the problem areas instead of wrap be an option? I've never even seen one, much less used one, but maybe someone else who has can pipe in. I'd be most concerned with breathability and ease of use since you'd still have to take it on and off frequently. It might help to have one around anyway though for reintegration in case anyone else starts picking at those exposed areas. Just a thought.

 

[CCinVT]

That makes me so happy to hear!

I'd keep her inside a bit longer until her wounds completely heal over just to make sure she's getting her antibiotics, and just in case there's infection somewhere deeper inside (and to keep any of the open wounds from getting infected. There's a lot of bacteria in chicken coops!)

It really sounds like she's doing great! What a trooper!

Yes I will.probably keep her inside till the wounds look pretty much healed and then do a bit of a gradual reintroduction.
She has really been a trooper. Like I said in a previous post she isnt one who would make a good "house chicken". Shes my oldest and will come for treats and such but isnt much of a snuggler!
I worry about a deeper infection too especially as this gash heals, and I can see how far up her back it goes. Tomorrow is my last dose of clavamox. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow I have had 2 pills to give her instead of the 2.5. What I'm left with in the house is the amoxicillin liquid. Every other wound is healing beautiful, and not that the gash isnt, but it's clear it goes far up under the skin/meat of her back.

So glad to hear she's improving!

Would a hen saddle covering the problem areas instead of wrap be an option? I've never even seen one, much less used one, but maybe someone else who has can pipe in. I'd be most concerned with breathability and ease of use since you'd still have to take it on and off frequently. It might help to have one around anyway though for reintegration in case anyone else starts picking at those exposed areas. Just a thought.

I do have a saddle, and she gets it off like a pro. Shes a fiesty and determined hen. Probably why shes my oldest and such a trooper. She can get the saddle off in less than 5 min. It's amazing, and annoying. In the begining I was able to just drape the gauze in her. I tried thinner strips of the wrap, criss crossing them so it was an X and avoided her wounds but she pulled the gauze out from under it.... it's a real skill she has. So for now I'm just going around her once with the wrap, and i try to put the gauze on so they cross each other in a way that leaves her able to preen (maybe one less reason to pull it off) but covers the tail gash and other wounds. I try to make it only tight enough that it sticks. Mainly the wound under her wing is covered under the wrap holding it on. I'm still trying to keep it like a gauze cape.

 

[CCinVT]

This mornings poo. Best one yet! Shes eatting strawberry tops, and some leftover from dinner with veggies, & buckwheat noodles