Hurt Chicken Is Wheezing

[Ktent0602]

One of my hens was attacked today and made her way back home to me (we let them free range). I’ve doctored her wound, isolated her, and she is eating and drinking. I couldn’t help but notice, though, that she sounds as if she’s wheezing. I know she’s in a lot of pain because of the type of wound she received (hawk sank talons into her back), but I don’t know if that’s why she’s wheezing. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[DobieLover]

Can you post pictures of her wounds?
It sounds like she may have punctured an air sac.
I'll tag some of the ER folks for you.
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive
@staceyj
@dawg53

 

[staceyj]

Photos please.
The impact alone could have cause internal injuries.

Normally I’d recommend immediate cleaning of wounds but If she’s struggling to breathe, I’d let her rest some before cleaning her wounds.

When you touch her skin, do you feel puffiness or hear crackling sounds?

 

[staceyj]

@casportpony
@Texas Kiki
@aart

Can you come over?

 

[dawg53]

Agreed, punctured air sac.

 

[Kiki]

Photos?

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you hearing any hissing near her back? Is there any swollen balloon-like area of skin on her back or side? The lungs are close to the back, and the air sacs are all of the body and in the bones of the wings. If you suspect a punctured air sac and hear hissing or air through the skin, you can apply a gauze pad with neosporin or vaseline on it to seal the wound. If it is just wheezing, it may be just the injury from the hawk hitting the chicken. As long as she is alert and active, and eating, I would just watch her. How bad are the wounds? Do you have Vetericyn, betadine, or other antiseptics to clean the wound? Plain neosporin ointment is good to apply after cleaning wounds.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some pics of air sacs:

 

[Eggcessive]

 

[Ktent0602]

I don’t hear any hissing sounds from her wounds or nearby them. I will post a pic of wounds after I irrigate and clean them again. She’s not too happy with me touching her at the moment.