Hurt chick. How bad?

[horsewishr]

One of my 7 week old EE chicks somehow got out of her enclosure. My little dog was whining, and when I went to see what was wrong, my big dog had the chick cornered on the sunporch. I'm quite sure he wasn't trying to hurt her, but when he gets excited (like with the cat), he can really push things around with his nose, and try to hold things down with his paws.

I saw only scrapes on the chick and a couple of loose, downy feathers (and lots of slobber). She was obviously traumatized, though.

Overnight, I brought her into the house, and put her back in the brooder box by herself. She seems alert, but doesn't want to walk. When I stood her up, she just sat back down (normal position--feet underneath her). She's moved a bit, and I think she's had some water.

This morning I stood her up and she took a few steps, before sitting down again. But she's not eating, and not moving very well. Do you think it's possible that she's just very sore? Nothing is obviously broken, but how would I know?

Should I take her to the vet?

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[d.k]

* I would treat her for shock to start. Warmth, Electrolytes and vits in her water. MAKE SURE she's drinking and test her swallowing with a few drops by eyedropper. Feed her hot mash in small FRESHLY MADE quantities at least 3 times for the extra fluids and softer digestability, fed in a shallow dish. You MAY want to consider aspirin solution as well-- but if she's very bruised, I might not.

 

[horsewishr]

thank you, d.k

She's making a rapid recovery, it seems. I put the other EE chick in with her, and her mood improved immediately. Now she's drinking on her own. I haven't seen her eat a lot. What kind of mash?? Would yogurt and cooked eggs be good?

edited to add:
I'm thinking she may have pinched a nerve. Her coordination was pretty goofy at first, but it's getting much better. Maybe she needs some anti-inflammatory medicine? I'll call the vet.

 

[d.k]

*A couple spoons of chick starter and a bit of hot water. Be prepared, it's usually pretty messy feeding even if your'e holding the dish for her. Cover your lap and have a cloth to wipe her up with!!

ED. a bit of mashed egg and yogurt could be added. Just make sure the mash part is fresh each time. You MAY need to press her beak in several times to get her started. Sometimes tapping the edge or bottom of the dish works, too. She's walking now?? She may not need much in the way of pain meds then. Maybe a half-strength dose of aspirin solution.

 

[horsewishr]

OK, now I'm thinking she's just sore in one leg. Now that she's actually walking, I can see a limp.

I talked to my college roommate, who's a vet (she's actually an emergency specialist, and did training on raptors!). She said the only anti-inflammatory they ever gave birds was Celebrex. I have another friend who's a pharmacist, so I'm sure I could get some if I needed it. But I think I'll just keep an eye on her. I'd hate to have to figure out dosing!

The good news is that she does seem to be on the mend. I really thought she was a goner when I first found her. She scared me to death.

 

[d.k]

*A half-dose aspirin solution for chickens is pretty easy. 2 and a half BABY aspirin tabs -- crushed, to a quart of water and stir well.

I wouldn't give it longer than, say, 3 days in the chickee's case.