Pullet attacked by dog, skin peeled off back and several punctures - save or euthanize?

[ozarkchickens]

Should i try to save her, or is her suffering too great? One of my 3 month old pullets, a speckled Sussex, escaped her enclosure and landed in the jaws of my farm dog. He had her for a while before I went out and discovered the situation. All back feathers ripped out, sections of epidermis torn from neck (1" x 2" section), small chunks of epidermis torn from elbows on wings. 4-6 gaping punctures on back. Entire back has a scraped or road rash appearance. I brought her to the house, cleaned out the wounds with vetericyn for chickens, applied neosporin (no lidocaine). Keeping her warm in soft blankets inside a v small dog crate, with water and food available. I've cared for severely injured chickens before, but none this bad. Should I try to save her or is the pain likely so great that euthanasia is the humane choice?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can you post a picture of her showing her injuries? Have you given her sugar water or electrolytes for shock?

 

[ozarkchickens]

Can you post a picture of her showing her injuries? Have you given her sugar water or electrolytes for shock?

Electrolytes in her water but have let her choose whether to drink so far. I didn't take pics I've been so upset w myself, I'll take some and post.

 

[ozarkchickens]

Can you post a picture of her showing her injuries? Have you given her sugar water or electrolytes for shock?

 

[ozarkchickens]

Can you post a picture of her showing her injuries? Have you given her sugar water or electrolytes for shock?

 

[ozarkchickens]

Can you post a picture of her showing her injuries? Have you given her sugar water or electrolytes for shock?

 

[ozarkchickens]

Can you post a picture of her showing her injuries? Have you given her sugar water or electrolytes for shock?

 

[ChicNmom]

Are there any deep puncture on her left side? That is where her internal organs are. That and neck injuries would be my main concern, along with possible broken ribs

You can give her a low dose aspirin 81 mg for pain 2x daily.

I would try to use a dropper and get a little sugar water/ electrolytes into her.

I would give her a chance unless she looks like she is suffering.
Is she able to hold her head up?

 

[ozarkchickens]

Are there any deep puncture on her left side? That is where her internal organs are. That and neck injuries would be my main concern, along with possible broken ribs

You can give her a low dose aspirin 81 mg for pain 2x daily.

I would try to use a dropper and get a little sugar water/ electrolytes into her.

I would give her a chance unless she looks like she is suffering.
Is she able to hold her head up?

As best I can determine the punctures are all north/south, really on her back. I'll examine her again after she rests a bit from the treatment. I didn't even think of broken ribs, how would I check for that? She can hold her head up and walk.

 

[ChicNmom]

There isn't much you could do for broken ribs. At 3 months she probably isn't too heavy so you should be able to gently feel if there are any sharp areas on her rib cage. My concern would be a broken rib puncturing something internally.

Since she can hold her head up and walk that's a good sign. Chickens can heal from some brutal superficial injuries.