HELP!! DOG ATTACK!! ADVICE NEEDED!!

[misspoppins]

My poor roo, Nelson was attacked by our boxer-mix dog today (OH I WANT TO KILL THAT DOG!). Thank the Lord, he survived the attack, but I don't know what to do. Right now I have him inside with a heat lamp and plenty of clean hay/shavings and food/water, etc. He doesn't seem to be interested in eating or drinking at all and he hasn't really moved since I put him in the "hospital pen". At first it seemed like he was in some sort of trance, but after a few hours he was looking around and responding.

He tried to stand once, but sat right back down...I guess because of pain. I haven't really gotten to inspect him closely, but he doesn't have any visible injuries, from what I know.

I'm so afraid, because he's not drinking or eating or moving. Do you have any advice? Please help! I want to keep this baby alive! ='(

 

[Whispering Winds]

I would imagine he was in shock for a long time, but do you think he could have internal injuries that doesn't show? How is he now. I know what you mean about the dog . . .love them, but doggone it, they can just mess things up totally by their behavior. I hope the roo is o.k. now, its hard to know what to do when they can't tell us, isn't it?

 

[misspoppins]

Yeah. Nelson got a drink of water a few minutes ago, but his left leg seems to be hurt pretty badly. At first he was just favoring it a little, but now he has it all curled up and he yelps when I touch it. ='( Help?

 

[cw]

probably ought shoot the he will be a pain in the arse, now he has tased blood, as far as the roo, only time will tell

 

[BarkerChickens]

Sorry to hear that! Two our hens got attacked by two stray miniature piinschers last fall and tore 'em up pretty good. They survived (thankfully!), but spent 3 weeks in house healing.

Are the injuries exposed at the surface or might his leg be broken? I would clean any open wound with betadine (iodine) and cover with neosporin (regularly as well to keep it clean). Dog bites are very dirty and can cause infection very easily, so I'd keep some Aureomycin (or any other broad-spectrum anitbiotic) on hand just in case you need decide you need it. Puncture wounds (f there are any) need to be watched especially close those they tend to become infected very quickly. If he isn't eating much you can try yogurt mixed with a chopped egg (or something similar) and see if he'll eat it. Also, Poly-Vi-Sol (without iron!) is a baby liquid vitamin that can help give him the boost he may need to heal (particularly if he isn't eating much). Good luck!

 

[kycklingar!]

It's really hard to deal with chicken injuries, since they don't take well to being handled like most domestics do...
If the leg has gotten worse like that, you really need to figure out where the injury is. Is it below the hip or up IN the hip area? If it's down low, he will recover fine.
Any open wounds? Be sure to treat with betadine.
Birds heal FAST, so if you don't think there are serious internal or head injuries, I'd give him a few R&R days in a clean area, and let the natural healing take over.
My roo Edmund healed after a cat took most of his wing. Broken bones and all. He's a lovely dear, now, since I spent so much time tending to him.

 

[misspoppins]

Thanks for the advice. I may have to try giving him yogurt or something if he doesn't start eating soon.

I'm pretty sure it's his foot area that's hurting. There aren't any open wounds that I can see.

Hopefully he'll be ok!

 

[johnmayersquare]

This has happened to me SEVERAL times by my own dogs ;( Just when I think I have everything secured properly, one will get in and I get so mad at myself!

My chickens have acted like they are in shock and don't really move at all when I confine them inside......I would just maybe check under his feathers on the back of his neck and make sure there isn't a bite wound because it will get infected from the dogs saliva........I have used REGULAR neosporin(not the kind with the pain killer) and it really does a good job healing it.

Lisa

 

[jjthink]

Rescue Remedy for stress - drop or two in his water - get from health food store or well equipped pharmacy.
Electrolytes for shock. A bit of pedialyte in water will do in a pinch. You can do a search here on BYC using the word 'electrolytes' and obtain home made recipes for them. Or you may have poultry electrolytes on hand.
Stress/shock his major enemy - do all to prevent.
Aspirin for pain IF internal injuries are not suspected (and of course, no active visible bleeding either). 1 baby aspirin crushed into one cup of water, which is roughly equal to the dose usually recommended on this forum (five 325 mg aspirin per gallon of water). Do not substitute for other meds without first confirming the other med is safe for chickens.
Keep him as comfortable as possible, in a quiet area on soft bedding with food and water close by. Sounds like you're already doing this.
Hopefully upon inspection you won't find a broken leg or puncture wounds (you'll need to inspect asap but I understand you needed him to calm down first). He will need oral or injectible antibiotic if he has any puncture wounds. You can use topical neosporin for more minor surface wounds (the kind WITHOUT pain relief added). If you are able to clean the area first, use a diluted solution of 9 parts water to 1 part betadine (this ratio came from an avian vet).
If he's lucky enough that nothing is broken or dislocated he will just need pain management, lots of TLC, to be kept hydrated, and coaxed to eat. Worry about the eating part tomorrow. If it's nothing serious it can still take weeks before he can walk comfortably - do not be discouraged.
If you are not sure how serious, an avian vet may be needed to help you sort out.
I hope so very much that he'll be alright. Dog attacks make me crazy. A neighbor's dog nearly killed my hen in December but she is okay now thanks to surgery, meds, and tons of TLC.
Keep us posted.
JJ
p.s. Understand that due to today's date, some responses to your post will read funny. Barker Chickens does not really mean to feed him chopped rooster! Tomorrow that will probably read chopped e-g-g.

 

[harv681]

For the pain, dilute an aspirin tablet (325mg) in a quart of water and offer this mixture to him as his primary water source--but only if you are confident he has no internal injuries.