Little hen attacked by Cat

[chickepoo]

My husband walked away for a second, and the neighbors cat took one of our little girls (about 6 wks old). She is still alive, peeps at us when startled, looks around and tries to walk but her neck is tore up and on further examination, it appears she has a large wound just under a wing near the breast. I have her settled on a warming pad and applied antibiotic ointment to her some of the wounds. I only have vitamins and electrolytes for powder, threw out the antibiotic powder (thought it was old). I am grasping at straws.....Is there anything I can do for her now? (its almost 10 here and nothing is open and no vet around here sees chickens).

I used to raise pheasants and quail, and remember some horrific wounds caused by cannibalism and those kids made it through. I am hoping she --we haven't even had a chance to name her

-- can pull through. I know how bad cat saliva is though.

Oh and one other thing....How do I get her to drink without causing her to get pneumonia? She is very weak right now and her movements are more "fight or flight".

 

[Poison Ivy]

Sounds like your doing good just keep her warm and inside until she heals. I would flush it with peroxide or something similar and keep the antibiotic ointment on it. Good Luck

 

[ozark hen]

I think you have done the right thing so far. Just keep the electrolytes in her and keep her warm. If she makes it by tomorrow I would think you have a good chance.

 

[thndrdancr]

Salt water flush is better than peroxide, peroxide is awfully harsh to their poor lil skin. If you DO use peroxide, dilute it quite a bit, it can kill healthy tissue off.

Sounds like youre doing all you can for now. Good luck

Jill

 

[chickepoo]

I used to work at a vet clinic about 6 years ago and one of the vet techs said peroxide kills living tissue as it removes the oxygen from it and to never use it. (one of the o's in the H2O2 binds with an o in the cells and makes water and o2). I have been afraid to use it since then.

Was he full of poo, does someone know differently? I know it stings like the dickens on me, I would hate to make her suffer.

 

[thndrdancr]

Nope, he wasnt full of poo.

 

[ozark hen]

I sure will take that advice on the salt water and nix the peroxide to heart.

 

[2mnypets]

You could also try a hard boiled egg with a little bit of grit or some yogurt. Also do you have some raw unpasturized apple cider vinegar. That will help her immunity. Sounds like you're doing everything you can. Might want to get some Blue Kote to help with any infection too. Best of luck to you.

 

[dlhunicorn]

cat wounds are NASTY and horribly dangerous... in my opinion your bird will need antibiotics... flush the wound with saline and then apply antibiotic cream but get the appropriate antibiotic (and dosage ) immediately (or ASAP as soon as the vets office opens)...

 

[nccatnip]

Quote:
This is absolutley true. I would suggest anyone who insists on using peroxide for whatever reason, immediately flush with a saline solution.
I would also recommend keeping some form of saline solution on hand- I just noticed this week my local grocery store is now carrying cans of aerosol wound wash. It is great for flushing out wounds. You can also use solutions formulated for contact lenses. Just check the label first. You do not want the cleanser, just the buffered solution for soaking.