My beautiful d'Uccle roo was almost killed by a dachsund

[wegotchickens]

Went out to get the chickens and put them up after free-ranging. Tennessee didn't run up to greet me the way he always does. And he wasn't with the d'Uccle pullets, or the standard hens.

Then I saw a dachsund I've never seen before. It charged up to my cat, Jezebel in a confrontational way. She hunkered down in her "I don't take nuthin' off no stupid dog" way. The dog was smart enough to run away.

That's when I got scared for TN. Started calling and he didn't answer (he always has before). Then I saw him in a crumpled heap in the woods. He lifted his head when I walked up. He talked to me a little as I carried him inside.

He has puncture wounds on his comb, looks like bruises on his throat. He right eye looked like it was missing at first, but instead it's under blood & something? Also, his lower eyelid is torn 1/2 off. I washed the leaf bits and dirt off, applied pressure to stop his comb from bleeding. I put plain Neosporin ointment on all injuries, including his eye.

He's currently in a box of shavings in the garage with his 2 girls in the dark. I was hoping that would soothe and comfort him as well as keep him warm. It's about 50 degrees in the garage where they've been sleeping the past few nights.

I know I need to get him to drink something. I have a packet of electrolyte stuff around here somewhere, but it's a big foil bag and he's a small boy. What's the recommended useage?

What else should I do? Do I cut away the tattered part of the lid? Should I clean around the damaged eye until it shows clear?

Any suggestions will be deeply appreciated. I tried doing a search but I have no patience for reading through posts right now.

Here's my boy earlier today:

 

[wegotchickens]

Ok, found my bag of electrolyte and it has the proportions on it for using a little at a time.

I'm concerned because he keeps gulping like there is something caught in his throat. I hope he can swallow without choking.

 

[redhen]

heres a bump! poor baby!

i hope he makes it!!

 

[speckledhen]

Not sure what to tell you, Lori. Keep him warm and quiet and tend the wounds as best you can. No energy to type much yet, but dunno waht to do about the eyelid. Hope he makes it. Give him extra protein like scrambled eggs.

 

[wegotchickens]

Thanks Cynthia. Sorry I bothered you. I was in a panic and not thinking.

I got a few drops of the elctrolyte water into him.

DH is making me stop and eat some dinner.

 

[birdlover]

Just want to say how sorry I am and that I hope he makes it. He will probably need a systemic antibiotic if the bites made him bleed as dog bites usually cause a nasty infection. Keeping Tennessee in my prayers!

 

[mamaKate]

Poor little guy. He's beautiful. You might add a heat source. Sometimes it helps to get them really warm.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Oh Lori, I am so, so, so sorry.

I know how special this boy is to you. Sounds like you are doing everything you can.

If you think he can drink maybe dilute an aspirin in some water and give it to him by dropper or syringe to help w/ any pain he might have.

Did you ever pick up some Avia Charge? That would be another thing to give him to help bump up immunities.

Just like Cynthia said to keep him in a warm, quiet place that is dark to destress him.

How is he doing now?

Please keep me posted!

Hang in there. Thinking of you & TN boy.
Kim

 

[wegotchickens]

I'm using Blue Ribbon Elecrolyte Pack by Merrick's. He hasn't drank very much though. Will it hurt his girlfriends if they drink any?

I don't have any aspirin, I don't think. Will go through the med cabinet to be sure. How much do you give?

Don't have any antibiotics for critters at all. DH has some leftover Cephalexin 500mcg capsules. Can part of one of those be used until we can contact a vet (Monday)?

He's currently in the garage, snuggled in a box between Cinnamon & Georgie. I swear his eye is looking a tad bit better but maybe that's wishful thinking. He muttered at me in his normal voice when I turned on the light to look at them.
The only other heat source is a light, and I'm afraid they might peck at him if there was a light on.

Yes, Kim, this is my sweet baby boy. I find I'm wanting to check on him more often than I want to check on the bator. I have a feeling it will be a long night.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Awww! I bet he is happy to be snuggled in between his girls. It will be fine for them to drink the electrolytes. I think you are right not to turn the light on, so they will go to sleep and rest. Having him in between the girls will help keep him warmer also.

The only other thing I can think you could do if you are worried they aren't warm enough is to put them in a small, dark, quiet room inside the house that the door can close so the cats won't bother them.

The dosage for the aspirin is to dilute 5 plain aspirin in a gallon of water. That's the only dosage I know, nothing smaller. Then you can syringe it to him. Oh yea, I forgot...only give to him IF he isn't bleeding freely anymore.

I don't know if you can give Cephalexin or what the dose would be???

I know Napoleon had to take 250 mg of Amoxicillin before that was prescribed by Dr. Brown (The Chicken Doctor)

I'm so glad that his eye is already looking better. Yay!!!!

If I know you...yes, it's going to be a long night. Go ahead and bring them inside for your peace of mind.

How is that bator running w/ all those wonderful test eggs in it?

Hang in there!