Raccoon attack, really bad neck injuries

[CluckinClegg]

Hey guys. I’m a newbie chicken owner, my gals have been with me for about 2 months. Tonight a raccoon killed 1 and badly injured 2 of my girls. We usually remember to close up the coop, but tonight was the unfortunate night we forgot. Anyway, we’re really sad, and I’m not sure how to help my two badly injured hens! One has the back of her skull and neck fully exposed, and the other has a really deep gouge on her neck. It’s so bad, I think I can see a blood vessel or tendon. I don’t know how she’s still alive, really. I flushed their wounds with Dakin’s solution, and they’re not bleeding anymore. We also gave them some aspirin water, but they weren’t very interested in drinking much. Now they’re resting in the garage in a plastic tote with towels on the bottom to soften it up. I’m planning on calling the vet tomorrow, is there anything else I can do to help these poor chickens out?

 

[Momma_Bear]

Do you have pictures? It might be easier to give advice if we see what is being dealt with as well.

 

[CluckinClegg]

Sorry these are such poor pictures, I didn’t want to bother them to let them rest. I’ll take better ones tomorrow.

 

[Momma_Bear]

That’s some pretty yucky scalping. My best suggestion would be to clean them up and spray them daily with vetericyn. Atleast 3 times a day for now. Keep them in a dark warm quiet place for tonight

 

[Kessel23]

I usually just put neosporin on injuries like that and they heal up pretty well. If someone like @Momma_Bear suggest a different way of keeping the cut clean then do that, I do not know much about keeping cuts clean.
I have used these pictures so many times, I am surprised that they have become so useful, here they are again-
It's a cockerel that was scalped by 3 turkey poults this picture is from July 12th

And here are some pictures from August 15th

And here are two pictures from November 3rd, they are not close ups but the neck injury has completely healed and has feathers, the head is healed but bald.

So scalpings usually heal up pretty well if they don't get infected. This guy has PTSD or something though, he is very skittish and when he gets into a fight with another bird he will run away after a few seconds, even if he is winning.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hey guys. I’m a newbie chicken owner, my gals have been with me for about 2 months. Tonight a raccoon killed 1 and badly injured 2 of my girls. We usually remember to close up the coop, but tonight was the unfortunate night we forgot. Anyway, we’re really sad, and I’m not sure how to help my two badly injured hens! One has the back of her skull and neck fully exposed, and the other has a really deep gouge on her neck. It’s so bad, I think I can see a blood vessel of tendon. I don’t know how she’s still alive, really. I flushed their wounds with Dakin’s solution, and they’re not bleeding anymore. We also gave them some aspirin water, but they weren’t very interested in drinking much. Now they’re resting in the garage in a plastic tote with towels on the bottom to soften it up. I’m planning on calling the vet tomorrow, is there anything else I can do to help these poor chickens out?

I'm sorry about your losses
It looks like you cleaned the wounds really well.
I would put some triple antibiotic ointment on the wounds or if you have it Vetericyn Spray.
I see you are planning on speaking with your vet, that is always a good idea.
If those plans fall through, then continue to do as you have been - try to get them both hydrated. Electrolytes, sugar water or vitamins in the water.

Even though the wounds look clean, since this was a raccoon, I would give them antibiotics as well. You can find Procaine Penicillin G at feed stores like Tractor Supply in the refrigerated section. Dosage is 1/2ml per day injected into the breast muscle for up to 7 days. Alternate sides each day to help avoid soreness.

Alternatively, if you can get it fairly quickly, order some Amoxicillin - dosage is 57mg per pound of weight given 2 times a day for 7 days.

Hope they recover quickly, please keep us posted.

 

[CluckinClegg]

Thanks, y’all! They were drinking a little and eating some mealworms this morning. I flushed out their wounds again, which they didn’t like. Gave them more aspirin water and I tried to put on some antibacterial ointment. It was kinda hard to on Jane (my Rhode Island Red) because her wound is deeper and more choppy. I’ll post more pics in a bit to show how bad hers really is.

 

[CluckinClegg]

 

[CluckinClegg]

That tendon thing on the side moves when she moves her beak/swallows. Can she recover from this?

 

[Grits&Eggs]

yikes! shouldn't you wrap it to keep out infection? i did this to the dog when they got cut digging under the fence....but, never had a chicken look like that, sorry for your loss.