Pullet attacked by dog. How do I treat the open wound?

[MrsChicky55]

My 7 month old Americauna pullet was attacked by a dog this morning. I saw it happen and was able to chase the dog off immediately but couldn't find the chicken to treat her, she hid in the underbrush. Had to wait until she went into the coop this evening. The skin and peritoneum were torn through below the sternum. There is a scant amount of cloudy tan liquid that comes out, not a great smell, but it's kind of a chickeny smell not infection or poop. I'm REALLY hoping the GI tract wasn't torn somewhere. At first I couldn't see the wound and the feathers were stuck in it so I rinsed with water and carefully cut away the feathers. I didn't have the heart to pull them since she was already whimpering. I cleansed the wound with iodine but there are feathers in the peritoneal cavity that I couldn't get out. I used antibiotic ointment and put dry gauze over it just to keep it clean. Not sure how to treat it though. Do I cover the wound with gauze moist with antibiotic ointment to keep the wound moist and see if there's more output in the morning? Or should I try to clean it out again and stitch it up? Can I glue it closed? It's too dark to get a very good picture of the wound. I'll attach a picture in the morning. Thanks for any help you can provide. These chickens are livestock not pets, so I won't be taking her to the vet, but I'd really like to give her a chance at survival and will do what I can to help her. Just not sure the next best step. If anyone can make recommendations I'd appreciate it.

 

[Lalo Moreno]

Can you show a picture? If it really is bad then I suggest seeking professional help.

 

[Thing2]

Can you show a picture? If it really is bad then I suggest seeking professional help.

x2

 

[MrsChicky55]

You can see the feathers still in the wound.I think I'm just going to have to pull all of the feathers around it and get another q-tip and keep trying to get the feather out so the wound is cleaner if I have any hope of it closing. I'm not sure what organ that is either.

 

[MrsChicky55]

Alright, grew up and did what’s right by my gal. Pulled the feathers, removed feathers from inside the wound. Lavaged with saline, then cleaned and debrided some more, lavaged with hydrogen peroxide diluted with saline. Cleaned some more. Filled wound with triple antibiotic ointment and stuffed with medical packing tape (wet to dry). Will use that to debride further in a day or two by pulling it out. Had to rough up the wound edges a bit to promote healing before supergluing wound edges together. Used a butterfly bandaid like a steri strip to support. Did leave a small hole at the top and bottom for drainage. Feeling better now that the wound has been cleaned correctly (which in total took about 3 hours to do!) Hoping she does alright. Here’s an after photo.

There’s a little purple on the end of the packing tape... I might have superglued my glove!

 

[Professor Cogburn]

My 7 month old Americauna pullet was attacked by a dog this morning. I saw it happen and was able to chase the dog off immediately but couldn't find the chicken to treat her, she hid in the underbrush. Had to wait until she went into the coop this evening. The skin and peritoneum were torn through below the sternum. There is a scant amount of cloudy tan liquid that comes out, not a great smell, but it's kind of a chickeny smell not infection or poop. I'm REALLY hoping the GI tract wasn't torn somewhere. At first I couldn't see the wound and the feathers were stuck in it so I rinsed with water and carefully cut away the feathers. I didn't have the heart to pull them since she was already whimpering. I cleansed the wound with iodine but there are feathers in the peritoneal cavity that I couldn't get out. I used antibiotic ointment and put dry gauze over it just to keep it clean. Not sure how to treat it though. Do I cover the wound with gauze moist with antibiotic ointment to keep the wound moist and see if there's more output in the morning? Or should I try to clean it out again and stitch it up? Can I glue it closed? It's too dark to get a very good picture of the wound. I'll attach a picture in the morning. Thanks for any help you can provide. These chickens are livestock not pets, so I won't be taking her to the vet, but I'd really like to give her a chance at survival and will do what I can to help her. Just not sure the next best step. If anyone can make recommendations I'd appreciate it.

Sorry for your accident. In my opinion chicken skin is too fragile to sew up been there done that. Lost bird. I clean wound best possible with not allowing hydrogen peroxide into cavity. Most gauze will become embedded so refrain from allowing blood to soak it in and dry. I use Vetricyn VF from the vet to spray wound. Get feathers out of cavity with tweezers. Do not use antibiotic with pain control it is toxic. You can get metacam (sp) for pain (dogs) about one drop to a piece of bread for chicken. About 3-4 hours in between (i am not a vet) i use superglue, yes good super glue to join torn membrane or skin just like in battlefield conditions. Keep spraying wound care. Best of luck. Been raising poultry 7 years.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may want to buy a small bottle of Hibiclens (chlorhexidene) which can be used to clean deep wounds. Peroxide is not good for repeated use, since it now is considered to prevent healing. Vetericyn is also good for wound care. Flushing with saline is also good. Hopefully your hen will heal. If her peritoneal cavity was penetrated, she probably needs some vet care and good antibiotics, most of which are now only available with a prescription. If she is lying mostly and not roosting, a clean towel or puppy pad would be good to put under her each day.

 

[DaviJones]

Watching!


Also I think you're doing great caring for her, I'm afraid I can't be of much help on advice though so I'll leave that to the experts on BYC. Hope she makes it

 

[MrsChicky55]

You may want to buy a small bottle of Hibiclens (chlorhexidene) which can be used to clean deep wounds. Peroxide is not good for repeated use, since it now is considered to prevent healing. Vetericyn is also good for wound care. Flushing with saline is also good. Hopefully your hen will heal. If her peritoneal cavity was penetrated, she probably needs some vet care and good antibiotics, most of which are now only available with a prescription. If she is lying mostly and not roosting, a clean towel or puppy pad would be good to put under her each day.

I do have some hibiclens I could use as well iodine or chlorhexidine to clean. Left a couple holes open to drain that could be used for more saline lavage too.
The wound does seem to be weeping a little bit, not unexpected.