Hen attacked by raccoon, neck torn open! Help, please!

Pics
Date sort Score sort
Aw, I get it. Hopefully she pulls through. I'd just keep it as clean as you can and hope it can close up. Just keep her strength up with vitamins and such and get her eating; maybe she'll perk up in a bit after the shock wears off. I've seen some chickens that seem right on death's doorstep and then they start eating and getting better right before the final "time to let go" moment.
 
It's good that you can get antibiotics from the vet, are they willing to take a look at your photos too?

She has quite a bit of damage, the antibiotics will help with infection, but if she pulls through, she will be recovering for a long time, so be prepared for having to care for her inside.

Is she still in distress with her breathing? To me, that is the most concerning.
In the photo she is in pain.
I would also be concerned how deep that wound is in the front? Has it breached the body cavity?

I wouldn't flush it again, just spray it with Vetericyn if you have that, if not, gently apply some triple antibiotic ointment. She really may need closing up, but you risk closing up bacteria and the wound festering.
 
She doesn't seem to have labored breathing anymore. She struggled a bit when I changed her bedding, so I take it as a good sign that she has some strength left. In the front, no, I don't think it has breached her body cavity. It looks the skin has been torn off there, but her muscle there doesn't seem punctured too deeply. However, the back is much worse. Also however, I have very limited medical knowledge, so it's hard to say exactly how deep the wound is on her.

Another bad thing... She smells pretty terribly. The whole bathroom reeks. I took away the soiled bedding, and the smell didn't really improve. I'm afraid it's her wound that is causing it.

(Thank you everyone for your advice, guidance and support. It means a lot to me, a random stranger on the internet with a sick chicken)
 
GoldenBasilisk said:
She doesn't seem to have labored breathing anymore. She struggled a bit when I changed her bedding, so I take it as a good sign that she has some strength left. In the front, no, I don't think it has breached her body cavity. It looks the skin has been torn off there, but her muscle there doesn't seem punctured too deeply. However, the back is much worse. Also however, I have very limited medical knowledge, so it's hard to say exactly how deep the wound is on her.

Another bad thing... She smells pretty terribly. The whole bathroom reeks. I took away the soiled bedding, and the smell didn't really improve. I'm afraid it's her wound that is causing it.

(Thank you everyone for your advice, guidance and support. It means a lot to me, a random stranger on the internet with a sick chicken)
Click to expand...

I know it's hard sweetie, but she is in a bad way :hugs
If there is a terrible smell, then infection has set in and she is suffering.
 
I do agree with Wyorp Rock, but I feel like if she's willing to keep fighting and you can keep getting her cleaned up, get her on antibiotics, etc. then you should give her a chance! If she seems to be ready to give up and in too much pain, it is a good idea to let her go so she doesn't suffer too much, but if she wants to keep fighting and beat the infection, maybe she can get stitched up?
 
She is definitely willing to keep fighting. I'm able to get a bit of food and water into her, but she takes it so slowly that I think it's better if I can come to her every 20 minutes or so and encourage her to try bits, rather than a lot all at once. I will keep applying the antibiotic cream to her wound to try to help her beat the infection. If she seems worse tomorrow, I'll try to take her to the vet asap.

She still has some gunk on her neck that is mostly composed of bloody feathers and loose skin. Should I try to clean all that off with some saline wash so it's gone, or leave it? It's a nice, sunny day, so I can take her outside and try to rinse as much off as I can.
 
GoldenBasilisk said:
She is definitely willing to keep fighting. I'm able to get a bit of food and water into her, but she takes it so slowly that I think it's better if I can come to her every 20 minutes or so and encourage her to try bits, rather than a lot all at once. I will keep applying the antibiotic cream to her wound to try to help her beat the infection. If she seems worse tomorrow, I'll try to take her to the vet asap.

She still has some gunk on her neck that is mostly composed of bloody feathers and loose skin. Should I try to clean all that off with some saline wash so it's gone, or leave it? It's a nice, sunny day, so I can take her outside and try to rinse as much off as I can.
Click to expand...
You need to try to get what gunk you can off her. Trim feathers away from the wounds so you can evaluate them better and keep them cleaner.

Even if you can't see a vet, she needs antibiotics. If you have a Tractor Supply store nearby, they carry Procaine Penicillin G in the refrigerated section. Administer it for 4-5days by injection at a dosage of 1/4cc daily.
 
Agree! ^ Do you have anything other than antibiotic cream, like maybe vetericyn? I've never seen it used on a wound this bad or large, but I'd imagine it might help.

edit: I mean in addition to the cream, by the way
 

Similar threads

J
    • Sad
Raccoon attack
2 3 4
Replies
34
Views
2K
Julschicks7
J
B
Racoon survivor, but injured.
Replies
4
Views
193
Eggcessive
Eggcessive
I
Hen injured in fox(?) attack - can't move properly
Replies
7
Views
453
Eggcessive
Eggcessive
D
Hen got attacked by fox/coyote; Has neck and back injuries.
Replies
2
Views
508
Dudeguy
D
hensonmain
    • Sad
Skunk attack wounds - please help! **GRAPHIC PHOTOS**
2
Replies
16
Views
907
hensonmain
hensonmain

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom