Injury from neighbor's dog - help

[horsejody]

For the roo, use neosporin. Be careful with sprays. I think the ones with "cane" or "caine" in their name might be dangerous for birds. I think I read that on another post. Most of the far animal "wound sprays" are probably good.

For the dogs I recommend a shot of lead administered at high velocity - for medicinal purposes only of course.

For the dog owners - try calling the sheriff. Tell them you want to talk to the owner but can't because of the dogs. You might be surprised. They just might come out to diffuse the situation. Don't assume they will just say, "shoot it next time." Our Sheriff's dept is great. Hold the neighbors accountable. Make them pay for any killed birds and medical costs for your roo.

 

[happytxchick]

to ginbart: sorry about the misunderstanding in your meaning...haha...gotta love the written word in moments like this.

to everyone: Hugh is still alive today. He is eating and drinking. He likes the watermelon in Pedialyte that was recommended -- thank you! He wants out of confinement, bad, but I just tell him it's for his own good. I am treating him with a spray sans 'caine' anything and triple antibiotic ointment.

Once I started cleaning up his HUGE wound, I noticed that he does a huge puncture/gash one wing - and a puncture to the back that's smaller. I couldn't remove every feather that needed removal, but plan to work on him again when the sun sets behind the trees -- we are all calmer then.

As long as infection doesn't set in, it looks like he'll be okay. If infection does set in, I've got some antibiotics on hand. Who thinks I should give them anyway? Anybody? Or, should I just let him heal as he is.

 

[jjthink]

No doubt there are differing opinions on this but for deep/significant wounds, I tend to think antibiotic (beyond topical neosporin) makes sense to ward off infection because one he's infected in a deep wound he is compromised and it could be a difficult recovery. And I'm not sure infection would always be visibly obvious early in the game. Kind of a better safe than sorry thought pattern...On the flip side we of course don't want to overuse antibiotcs, but sometimes they are necessary. If you do give them, also give yogurt or probiotic powder in/on food to restore the good bacteria.
JJ

 

[happytxchick]

good advice on the yogurt...thanks...

I am surprised how similar chicken care is to human care...makes it easier.

 

[threehorses]

Any updates on the kiddo today?

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

yes - update please!

and for a laugh...

I am surprised how similar chicken care is to human care...makes it easier.

after all this talk about ACV i got to thinking that since i went and had fast food - which totally made me sick!!! - hum... maybe it can help my belly.

so i did a big shot of ACV and washed it down with raw milk yogurt...and i felt better immediately!!! i guess chicken treatment is the way to go

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[dixiechick]

Quote:
sounds like the neighbor's dog may be suffering some injuries! hint hinit...

 

[happytxchick]

Here's the update - I just came in from providing wound care on Hugh. I was able to trim more feathers and reapplied the triple antibiotic ointment.

It is a horrible site to see. When the dog ripped off his feathers it took the entire skin layer with them. There is no skin on his back at all. At the edges by the wings, when I move the wings to clean underneath, the skin separates from the muscle and reveals gaping holes. I filled the holes with ointment.

The cleaning/triming caused a bit of bleeding up around his hackles, but it clotted off pretty quickly.

Some folks have posted that this has happened to their chickens, and they healed and re-feathered after the next molt; but, I don't see how his body is going to regenerate that much skin. A human would require a graft. I really don't know how this is going to turn out.

 

[threehorses]

You'd be very very surprised. The trick is to let him tell you when he's ready. If he's eating, etc, then that's good. And a little bleeding is ok if it clotted quick. Just be sure to really make sure his nutrition is good, and I'd recommend a good balanced electrolyte/vitamin package in his water to keep him right. He may not completely refeather, but you'd be surprised how much skin can be missing and regrow - and even muscle.

 

[happytxchick]

Quote:
Thanks for the reassurance...