Help! Dog Mauled Chicken! Badly Wounded

[SmiYa0126]

I didn’t see it on the standard TSC site, but found it on their Rx site, as well as other vet stores, like Chewy.

If I do need to give her antibiotics, what strength/how much should I give her and how often?

250mg once a day for five to seven days, use your judgement. If it looks like it's getting infected use antibiotics, if not, keep up with the cleaning regimen. I only used antibiotics for three days when my cockerels cheek swelled after he was scalped

 

[AnyaTotoro]

Keep the wound open to air heal. It doesn't look too bad, just jagged.

Just keep it clean, & moist to help it heal properly.
Importantly, make sure the wound has enough dry out time before each application of a moisturizer, like Triple Antibiotic ointment.

Here’s an updated picture of wound, including deep wound/puncture I’m worried about.

Overview image before I started cleaning it.

This is where the deep wound is that I’m worried about…

While cleaning up the area, I trimmed back more feathers that were getting gross from ointment and sprays, as well as her wing since she kept putting it in wound and worried about it contaminating wound, especially after I clean it, etc. A lot of the main top wound is started to scab and crust over, so happy about that. Just worried about bottom part where it’s like a chunk folded back on left where I think a tendon got severed and what appears to be a deep slice along the bottom. A series of photos included.

Overview while cleaning and trimming.

Big chunk that wants to hang and fold over… picture shows me pushing it over where I think it fits.

Bottom deep slice part pushed up where it should go…. Worried this may need stitches or superglued.

Here are more pictures of deep slice open, which since it’s at bottom of wound, it’s collecting fluids and ointment that weep down from top, which I’m worried could cause breeding ground for infection.

After taking all the photos I did my best to clean up wound, and remove feather hairs stuck on wound. I found some stuck in part of wound hidden by wing after trimming it back, which I applied neosporin to which I hope will soften area so I can remove the glued on feathers without hurting her.

She definitely has some energy as she got annoyed with me while cleaning and tried to peck me and move away, even with a small towel over her head to calm her down and limit her movement during process.

Please let me know thoughts on bottom/deep slice, especially if I need to find a vet that will treat chickens to do stitches or something…

 

[AnyaTotoro]

250mg once a day for five to seven days, use your judgement. If it looks like it's getting infected use antibiotics, if not, keep up with the cleaning regimen. I only used antibiotics for three days when my cockerels cheek swelled after he was scalped

Sounds good. I hope it doesn’t get infected, but I might order it now just in case since it will take at least a couple days for shipping and typically by the time you realize you need it, you can’t wait for delivery or it could be too late…

 

[MysteryChicken]

Here’s an updated picture of wound, including deep wound/puncture I’m worried about.

Overview image before I started cleaning it.
View attachment 3302245

This is where the deep wound is that I’m worried about…
View attachment 3302247
View attachment 3302248

While cleaning up the area, I trimmed back more feathers that were getting gross from ointment and sprays, as well as her wing since she kept putting it in wound and worried about it contaminating wound, especially after I clean it, etc. A lot of the main top wound is started to scab and crust over, so happy about that. Just worried about bottom part where it’s like a chunk folded back on left where I think a tendon got severed and what appears to be a deep slice along the bottom. A series of photos included.

Overview while cleaning and trimming.
View attachment 3302249
View attachment 3302256

Big chunk that wants to hang and fold over… picture shows me pushing it over where I think it fits.
View attachment 3302258

Bottom deep slice part pushed up where it should go…. Worried this may need stitches or superglued.
View attachment 3302259

Here are more pictures of deep slice open, which since it’s at bottom of wound, it’s collecting fluids and ointment that weep down from top, which I’m worried could cause breeding ground for infection.
View attachment 3302265
View attachment 3302266
View attachment 3302268


After taking all the photos I did my best to clean up wound, and remove feather hairs stuck on wound. I found some stuck in part of wound hidden by wing after trimming it back, which I applied neosporin to which I hope will soften area so I can remove the glued on feathers without hurting her.

She definitely has some energy as she got annoyed with me while cleaning and tried to peck me and move away, even with a small towel over her head to calm her down and limit her movement during process.

Please let me know thoughts on bottom/deep slice, especially if I need to find a vet that will treat chickens to do stitches or something…

I've seen worse. Looks like healing has already began.

The flap isn't anything to worry about. It'll either fuse while healing, or shrivel up, & fall off during healing.

Stitches aren't recommended for poultry. Too high of a risk for infection. There's not much skin to stitch up.

 

[AnyaTotoro]

I've seen worse. Looks like healing has already began.

The flap isn't anything to worry about. It'll either fuse while healing, or shrivel up, & fall off during healing.

Stitches aren't recommended for poultry. Too high of a risk for infection. There's not much skin to stitch up.

Ok! Good to know. I’ll just try to keep it clean and try to drain it of fluid carefully.

I’ll keep y’all updated on status! Crossing my fingers she fully heals and recovers! Thank you!

 

[SmiYa0126]

Ok! Good to know. I’ll just try to keep it clean and try to drain it of fluid carefully.

I’ll keep y’all updated on status! Crossing my fingers she fully heals and recovers! Thank you!

My cockerel had a flap as well, it healed really well. @MysteryChicken is 100%

 

[Eggcessive]

Just keep doing the wound care as you have been. No stitches or superglue is needed. The flap may heal and shrivel a bit, but eventually all of that will come together. It may take weeks.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Wow you've done a great job of keeping the wound clean and as everyone has said, "healing has begun". It really looks good, even the "deep" wound looking good. It's draining so just continue with what you're doing & Great Job

 

[Nyhillbillies]

Ok! Good to know. I’ll just try to keep it clean and try to drain it of fluid carefully.

I’ll keep y’all updated on status! Crossing my fingers she fully heals and recovers! Thank you!

We are with you and your angel every step of the way!

 

[Nyhillbillies]

One question I didn’t see answered: how to help a chicken sleep or at least rest well enough to heal.
And what are the signs that a chicken is no longer in shock?