Punctured lung? Raccoon attack

[crazyma]

Last night we had a raccoon attack. They came out earlier than usual and my daughter had not locked up the coop yet. Lost 2 bantam roos and had one hen beat up but alive. She seemed to have minor injuries so we locked her up with the rest for thenight. Upon further close inspection this morning, we discovered a big puncture we had missed last night . This is not our first dealing with wounds and have had good luck with blu-coat and antibiotic ointment in most cases. Always survived. This one is unique though since it seems there is air going in and out of this puncture when the chicken breathe. I'm guessing it's a lung puncture? It seems a bit far back on her body for where the lungs are supposed to be but I dont know tons about anatomy. The wound is dry and not bleeding . We cleaned around it and put antibiotic around the hole. But I am hesitant to do any flushing or even bandage in case it is into a lung. We brought her inside to isolate and she seems ok but tired. We are also adding some over the counter med we had for sick chicks to her water. It has antibiotics in it. I just thought I'd reach out to see if anyone had any advice or a similar experience?

 

[cherrynberry]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-bear-attack-should-i-euthanize.1468219/#post-24458738

This is a thread I saw, it is still active and I think that your chicken has a punctured lung and maybe even a kidney. Good luck!

 

[cherrynberry]

I am not an expert at dealing with wounds, but I recommend posting photos so others could see the positioning of the wound...

 

[ryneaeiel]

Your chicken will be able to survive and heal with a punctured lung, so long as it doesn't fill with blood.

It sounds like she's doing very well.

You need to irrigate any wounds with warm saline, then cover them with antibiotic ointment and wrap them.

You do NOT, however, want to irrigate the lung puncture. I would recommend covering it with a sterile bandage to keep bacteria from getting inside while it heals.

Do you have any antibiotics on hand? She'll need them to combat possible infection for the lung wound, since it can't be cleaned properly.

Edit: I also agree with @cherrynberry, we need pictures. Is the puncture on her chest, abdomen, side, or her back? How big is it?

 

[crazyma]

I am attempting to post pics. The wound is not big maybe just under 1/2" diameter. We have not trimmed feathers yet, so it may be hard to see.

 

[crazyma]

Sorry the pics arent very good. And the water additive does not apparently have antibiotics. .Suggestions on what is best for antibiotics? And where I can get them?

Your chicken will be able to survive and heal with a punctured lung, so long as it doesn't fill with blood.

It sounds like she's doing very well.

You need to irrigate any wounds with warm saline, then cover them with antibiotic ointment and wrap them.

You do NOT, however, want to irrigate the lung puncture. I would recommend covering it with a sterile bandage to keep bacteria from getting inside while it heals.

Do you have any antibiotics on hand? She'll need them to combat possible infection for the lung wound, since it can't be cleaned properly.

Edit: I also agree with @cherrynberry, we need pictures. Is the puncture on her chest, abdomen, side, or her back? How big is it?

Good advice. I posted pics
Thanks!

 

[casportpony]

I think maybe your hen has a punctured air sac.

Avian Respiratory System - Under Construction

Please do not review or rate this article until it is finished, but feel free to leave comments or suggestions. @coach723 found this excellent video

• casportpony
• Oct 13, 2018
• 5.00 star(s) 3 ratings
• Reviews: 2
• Category: Member Pages

 

[ryneaeiel]

Sorry the pics arent very good. And the water additive does not apparently have antibiotics. .Suggestions on what is best for antibiotics? And where I can get them?

Good advice. I posted pics
Thanks!

Alright, her abdominal air sac was punctured. That's not as bad as a punctured lung!

She's going to need antibiotics. Here's a quote from another thread.

You can buy some online from fish or bird product sites, such as FishMox (amoxicillin) and others. In feed stores you can still get an injectable penicillin (procaine penicillin G,) but others were mostly made prescription only in 2017. If using the injectable procaine penG, give 1/4 ml daily into the breast muscle for 4-5 days in a row. Use a 20 gauge needle since it is thick, and insert it only 1/4 inch, so shorter needles are preferred. If you have a regular vet who knows you well, they might sell you some oral antibiotics where you could get a good broad spectrum one, such as Baytril or Clavamox.

Tractor Supply carries procaine penicillin G. I'd get it there. They also carry the needles needed. These needles are 1/2 inch long, so only insert the needle halfway. (I'd mark the half-way point with a Sharpie.) You'll need a syringe as well, but unfortunately the smallest I could find was a 3ml syringe, so I'd recommend marking the 1/4ml line with the Sharpie as well so it's easier to see.

 

[crazyma]

Alright, her abdominal air sac was punctured. That's not as bad as a punctured lung!

She's going to need antibiotics. Here's a quote from another thread.


Tractor Supply carries procaine penicillin G. I'd get it there. They also carry the needles needed. These needles are 1/2 inch long, so only insert the needle halfway. (I'd mark the half-way point with a Sharpie.) You'll need a syringe as well, but unfortunately the smallest I could find was a 3ml syringe, so I'd recommend marking the 1/4ml line with the Sharpie as well so it's easier to see.

Alright, her abdominal air sac was punctured. That's not as bad as a punctured lung!

She's going to need antibiotics. Here's a quote from another thread.


Tractor Supply carries procaine penicillin G. I'd get it there. They also carry the needles needed. These needles are 1/2 inch long, so only insert the needle halfway. (I'd mark the half-way point with a Sharpie.) You'll need a syringe as well, but unfortunately the smallest I could find was a 3ml syringe, so I'd recommend marking the 1/4ml line with the Sharpie as well so it's easier to see.

Alright, her abdominal air sac was punctured. That's not as bad as a punctured lung!

She's going to need antibiotics. Here's a quote from another thread.


Tractor Supply carries procaine penicillin G. I'd get it there. They also carry the needles needed. These needles are 1/2 inch long, so only insert the needle halfway. (I'd mark the half-way point with a Sharpie.) You'll need a syringe as well, but unfortunately the smallest I could find was a 3ml syringe, so I'd recommend marking the 1/4ml line with the Sharpie as well so it's easier to see.

I think maybe your hen has a punctured air sac.

Avian Respiratory System - Under Construction

Please do not review or rate this article until it is finished, but feel free to leave comments or suggestions. @coach723 found this excellent video

• casportpony
• Oct 13, 2018
• 5.00 star(s) 3 ratings
• Reviews: 2
• Category: Member Pages

Thank you for the excellent info. I will get the antibiotics and keep our fingerscrossed . And yes a punctured air sack seems much better than lung. Thought it was a bitfar back for lung, but I wasnt aware of all the airsacs. The video link from casportpony was very informative. Thanks again!

 

[crazyma]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-bear-attack-should-i-euthanize.1468219/#post-24458738

This is a thread I saw, it is still active and I think that your chicken has a punctured lung and maybe even a kidney. Good luck!

Thanks for the link. I checked it out. Way worse than ourhen. Poor thing! But helpful stuff.e