How to treat chicken in severe shock after possum attack

[KellyGWillikers]

Last night, for the first time in 2 years, our gals (small backyard flock of four) didn't go up to roost for the night - we think because of the high gust winds they hid in the bushes. We have an automatic door on a timer and didn't see that they didn't go up roost until we heard what we thought were cat fight sounds and then did our normal check to make sure everyone was up. Once we realized the hen house was empty, we did a sweep of the yard where we found one girl limp on the ground (we thought dead), with a small pool of blood next to her head, and the other three hidden away in the bushes. After putting the three up into the coop safe and secure, we went to bury the other... and realized she was breathing and her leg moved! We immediately brought her inside, wrapped her in a t-shirt, cleaned her wound with hydrogen peroxide (thankfully limited to two puncture wound on the neck - that we can tell, so thinking it's a possum bite), and laid her in a box on a layer of pine shavings propped up/angled upwards on a towel. For warmth, we put the box on a heating pad for the night in our garage. Other than a few kicks, her beak opening/closing, and neck twists while we handled her or turned on the lights, she was not moving other than an occasional open eye and light breathing.

This morning, we were relieved to see she was still breathing and her eyes opened wider. We tried to feed her some water using a spoon, but she barely took any in. We called the local feed supply store for advice and they recommended using the blue antibiotic cream ("hen healer") for the wound but otherwise leaving her alone to recover from the shock and not to try food or water until she's more alert.. but I'm getting worried that if we don't get her more water/electrolytes/nutrients, she won't survive the shock. But on the other hand, I don't want to disrupt her too soon, and make her kick/jolt around, if it's more important for her to rest.

At what point should we try to tube or syringe in water or nutrients? I have nutri-drench on hand, but have never used it or attempted to force-feed a chicken water or liquid. Based on the videos I watched, I worry that it would be too distressing but also don't want to miss a critical window to get her nutrients. In case this is helpful, the attack happened around 9pm last night, we attempted water around 9am this morning. How long should we let her rest? Also, how warm should we try to keep her? Anything else we should try/not try?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[KellyGWillikers]

UPDATE 6:30pm

We gave her 1ml of nutri-drench and some water via syringe (putting a few drops into her beak then letting her swallow) - with some neck support, we are hopeful we got it down the right tube. Her eye* opened much wider than it has since the attack and she even started moving her tongue/beak to drink! But we had to support her neck/body entirely. Covered the wound with the Hen Healer ointment. She also surprised us with an enormous stool as we held her (solid, mostly dark with green tint and white - her first since last night).

*Her wound is on her right side, but her left eye has remained completely shut... her left foot also appears more clenched. Is it common for one half of the body to go limp when in shock?

Also, possibly important info: this gal is a two year old polish hen, on the smaller side, and extremely cute. Appreciate any help you can offer!

 

[azygous]

First of all, I would trust your own intuition before trusting anyone working in a feed store, but that's just been my experience.

You've done well treating your injured hen. Yes, shock is something you need to treat very early after a traumatic incident. Warm Gatoraid or electrolytes and warm sugar water given into the right side of the beak so it can trickle down the esophagus located on the right side of the throat. If you do it a drop at a time, there should be no danger of aspiration.

Keeping her warm is also very good. Good job. But you need to treat the puncture wounds with an oral antibiotic. I urge you to get that started ASAP as bacteria from the predator's mouth has already gotten into the hen's blood stream. Penicillin should be easy to get from that feed store that you talked to. Inject it with a needle syringe and it should nip the infection before it can kill your hen. You might also be able to find 250mg fish-cillin tablets at a Petsmart or aquarium store. Treat for seven to ten days.

 

[KellyGWillikers]

Thank you so much! I'll look into finding an oral antibiotic - the feed store employee (who seems very knowledgeable and was extremely compassionate! And sure didn't try to oversell us, which is nice ) said we should wait on the antibiotic until she's more alert. Sounds like you would recommend otherwise?

How long can a chicken remain in a state like this? And still snap out of it? (We're prepared to take care of her as long as we need, and trying to be patient ...while acting fast where we need to!)

 

[azygous]

The electrolytes and warm sugar water should revive her immediately.

The oral antibiotic should be started immediately following any sort of injury involving punctures as it is a means of bacteria being literally injected into the bloodstream of the injured victim, whether human, pet cat, or a chicken. The longer you wait, the longer the bacteria has had opportunity to multiply and travel to other parts of the body.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

@azygous Isnt their a critter that drains the blood ? Would a supplement be good here ?

 

[azygous]

Granny are you thinking of medical leeches? They use those for infected flesh wounds. Can you picture what would happen to a poor leech if you stuck it onto a chicken?

I don't think I'd mess around with a supplement when an infection from a puncture wound can kill a chicken in as little as 24 hours. It's pretty much a given that bacteria is present in the mouth of all mammals. I doubt you'd want to treat your granddaughter with garlic if she had been bitten by a cat or dog. You'd make a supersonic trip to the ER where she'd get a shot of an antibiotic.

 

[KellyGWillikers]

Makes very good sense @azygous, thank you!

We're thinking we should let her continue resting for the night after all of the nutri-drench and hen healer excitement this evening, and will get started on active treatment again in the am. Hope that is not too late and the rest helps! I'll keep this thread updated - thank you so much again.

 

[KellyGWillikers]

Seeing your last post now - looking into open pet supply stores now! Thank you.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Granny are you thinking of medical leeches? They use those for infected flesh wounds. Can you picture what would happen to a poor leech if you stuck it onto a chicken?

I don't think I'd mess around with a supplement when an infection from a puncture wound can kill a chicken in as little as 24 hours. It's pretty much a given that bacteria is present in the mouth of all mammals. I doubt you'd want to treat your granddaughter with garlic if she had been bitten by a cat or dog. You'd make a supersonic trip to the ER where she'd get a shot of an antibiotic.

No, It was a mink or weasel that they said "they" I have no idea, sucked their blood