Injured Hen- First Aid!! UPDATE post #20

[Sjisty]

When my hen got mauled by a dog, she had multiple wounds all over her body. She wouldn't let me look at them all. What I finally did was fill the sink with warm water and betadine and soaked her in it for about 15 minutes. She seemed to enjoy the bath and that way I knew I got all the wounds clean and betadined. Of course, afterward you have to dry her good. I used towels and a hair dryer.

I put some ointment on the wounds that were the worst, but her feathers stuck to the ointment and I was afraid that would hurt her more, so the next day I soaked her in a betadine/water bath again. I didn't bandage her, but just kept her warm and quiet for a few days, finally letting her out to rejoin the flock during the day, but she still comes in at night because she lost so many feathers and it's getting pretty cold at night.

Feed her plenty of protein to help her heal and keep her strength up. It's amazing what they can recover from!

 

[rhaj]

What is the best for protein?

Also, should I give her starter food? That is higher in protein I believe. I believe the bag I have is medicated, but she isn't laying now anyway. I think she's been too stressed out from my flock

 

[Sjisty]

Mealworms are good. You said you had some?

 

[rhaj]

Oh good, she chowed down on some today

Yep, I have more and can always buy more when needed! Protein, plus a bonus- she will be happy too!! lol

Thank you!

 

[Rocky Top Chick]

Cat food and tuna are also high in protien.

 

[jjthink]

Re: the aspirin, you can crush 1 baby aspirin (81 mg) into one cup drinking water (this is the rough equivalent to five 325 mg aspirins per gallon of water). Make a fresh batch at least daily while you think she may be in pain. If she is not drinking well, try dunking fresh cut up bits of fruit that she really likes (mine love grapes, blueberries,...) into aspirin water and then if she eats the fruit from your hand (or however she's most comfortable) she'll begin to get a touch of pain relief and then perhaps be inclined to drink more. From what I've been able to gather this concentration of aspirin in water is very low dose so it may have limited utility though I've noticed a difference in how my birds feel when they are on it.
JJ

 

[Judy]

Betadine and peroxide are good for initial cleaning, but also kill new cells trying to grow in, so don't use them any more unless you see yukky pus. Get some Neosporin ointment or other antibiotic ointment on the wounds. Bandage if you can do it easily, but don't get too excited about it. Vet wrap helps keep bandages on. Drug stores carry the same stuff for people, bright colors sticks to itself but not skin or feathers. Making a sort of jacket out of an old Tshirt might be the simplest way to hold dressings in place.

Use nonstick pads directly over the wounds to prevent the dressing from sticking; probably have to get them in the drug store. Don't pick too hard at the gauze that is stuck or you will pull healing tissue off with the gauze. Goo it up with Neosporin and it should fall off in a day or two.

The best wound cleanser is saline, 1 tsp of salt in 1 qt of boiled water. Don't save it for more than about 3 days, and pour out what you're going to use in a separate dish then throw away what is left. Water or water with just a couple drops of soap in a pan of it is probably next best.

Some kind of electrolytes would be very good if she is draining much at all. Gatorade, feed store lytes, Pedialyte, whatever is simplest. Just for a few days.

 

[rhaj]

I am using the people version of vet wrap

I intended to get the non stick pads, but accidentally got the regular.

I put in some raw ground beef for some more protein, but she hasn't eaten it yet, she is out of the cage, just hanging out roosting right now. I held it in front of her and she looked interested. I think she will eat it when she goes back to the cage.

Thanks!

update: yep! when I put her back in the cage, she ate the ground beef

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Great news! Means a lot when they will not only drink but eat as well. I hope things continue this well for you. Do keep us posted.

 

[rhaj]

UPDATE AND A NEW QUESTION???

She has been acting fine, eating and drinking really well. I noticed yesterday her eyes looked a little bit wet. Today they still look wet, and one had some bubbles. Could this be related AT ALL to her injury?? Or by pure coincidence is she also coming down with something respiratory??

I haven't heard any sneezing, though she does look a little sleepy

Should I treat?? I have Duramycin powder and Tylan 50 on hand.

Thanks!