Please Help Dog Attack Injuries

[want2know]

There are instructions in my wound protocol on how to use a loose skin flap as a skin graft. Go back and read step #4. If the flap is pink and not white or black, meaning it still has a blood supply, its use as a graft greatly speeds up healing.

But the flap us bent back and will not go back.

There are instructions in my wound protocol on how to use a loose skin flap as a skin graft. Go back and read step #4. If the flap is pink and not white or black, meaning it still has a blood supply, its use as a graft greatly speeds up healing.

I did read #4 and am doing all according to instructions, but I tried to put the flap back and secure with a thick layer of bag balm, but it is bent like a crease in paper. what if its growing back that way? Without sewing it back into place it will not stay is what I guess I'm trying to say.

 

[want2know]

There are instructions in my wound protocol on how to use a loose skin flap as a skin graft. Go back and read step #4. If the flap is pink and not white or black, meaning it still has a blood supply, its use as a graft greatly speeds up healing.

 

[azygous]

You are there with your chicken. I am not. Only you can be the judge whether the flap is still viable (alive). It sounds from your description that it may no longer be of any use if it has no flexibility. But it would be worth trying anyway if you aren't sure.

To get the flap to stay in place, use a lot of Bag Balm, first on the wound, then over the top of the flap which will hold the flap down. You may need to reapply the ointment a few times before it stays down. By the third or fourth day, if the flap is viable, it will "take". Keep putting the ointment on it every day until it's healed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is doing well so far. Eating, drinking. good color, fiesty as usual but There is a skin flap that will not fold back into place? any suggestions.I can't or don't think I can use a butterfly bandage cause the surrounding skin tissue is all damaged ?

The Orpington passed last night after amoxicillin that afternoon. but believe it probably was internal injuries, broken bone or ribs or .... so probably for the best, because she still would not eat or drink on her own, nor could she stand and she leaned to one side.

I'm sorry you lost the Orpington

If you work with the skin flap and it still doesn't stay, then it will eventually dry up and fall off on it's own.
The wound will granulate and new skin will eventually cover the wound, most of the time, new feathers come back in too.

This does take time, so take a breath, you've got this!

A couple of thread with a few photos of severe injuries, the healing process, you may find these helpful.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dog-attack-injury-graphic-pictures.1654172/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fox-attack-large-wound-on-side.1665400/

 

[want2know]

I'm sorry you lost the Orpington

If you work with the skin flap and it still doesn't stay, then it will eventually dry up and fall off on it's own.
The wound will granulate and new skin will eventually cover the wound, most of the time, new feathers come back in too.

This does take time, so take a breath, you've got this!

A couple of thread with a few photos of severe injuries, the healing process, you may find these helpful.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dog-attack-injury-graphic-pictures.1654172/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fox-attack-large-wound-on-side.1665400/

Thank you very much! I have been cleaning and applying Bag balm everyday. There is no smell and 'Fiesty' seems in excellent health despite the severity of the wound. The attached photos are of the flap that reuses to stay down. The thumb shaped flap is circled, the other with my finger holding it down. It does appear viable, but after almost a week I doubt there is any chance of grafting. The wound appears purple because I had to spray blu-kot on it to keep her from pecking at it. I have added photos of her so you can see the 'patient'.
I named her Fiesty, because she has survived 2 attacks and she always flaps her wings to try to get away when we handle her. She is a fighter.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That is a large flap of skin isn't it. I'm not sure what else you can do if it won't stay down. There's nothing to really put a stitch in and you do risk infection (or mold, yes we've seen mold growing under stitched skin), so I'd be hesitant to do that.

The wound looks good from what I can see, no odors is very good. If it were me, I'd continue caring for it like you are. Others may have better suggestions.