- Mar 11, 2010
- 13
- 0
- 22
Hi there! I am new to the forum and desperate. Lurker for years. I have 5 Rhode Island Reds in a very secure pen with large run. Night before last a HUGE raccoon literally ripped the wire apart and got in. Coop is close to the house so we got out there quickly and DH took care of the nasty thing. One of our hens - the only one that could melt my tough guy hubby was laying out. We thought she was dead.
We went to go get some things to take care of burying her and came back. She was alive and had gotten up! We didn't think she would make it through the night. She did. We didn't think she would make it through the next day (vet closed on Wed). She did. Holy cow she laid an egg!
Got a good look at her injuries. Coon ripped off all the skin around her neck. Left eye is either gone or so swollen shut it isn't open, we can't tell. Worst is both top and bottom beaks are shredded. Only 4 long spikes sticking out. Tongue is fine though! One of the nostril tube thingies is sticking out but she can't breathe through it. She's breathing through her mouth. Some infection is coming out of her mouth.
I tried to clean her up a bit but am afraid she will shock too much. Vet this AM as soon as he opens. Got 1 drop of Polyvisol down her yesterday, some very diluted aspirin water and some clean water. She goes from looking like she is minutes from death to standing up and ruffling feathers. Like she is saying "don't give up on me!"
I feel so darned bad for her. I'm afraid vet may say euthanize due to the beak. PLEASE HELP! What can I do? She just seems too tough to give up on. Only a year old. She is so sweet and actually cuddles up with DH. I have never ever seen hubby so sad.
Is there any hope with her beak so badly damaged? I'm sure vet will do antibiotics and clean her up good. If anyone can answer now or very soon I would appreciate it as I have to leave in 2 hours when he opens!
We went to go get some things to take care of burying her and came back. She was alive and had gotten up! We didn't think she would make it through the night. She did. We didn't think she would make it through the next day (vet closed on Wed). She did. Holy cow she laid an egg!
Got a good look at her injuries. Coon ripped off all the skin around her neck. Left eye is either gone or so swollen shut it isn't open, we can't tell. Worst is both top and bottom beaks are shredded. Only 4 long spikes sticking out. Tongue is fine though! One of the nostril tube thingies is sticking out but she can't breathe through it. She's breathing through her mouth. Some infection is coming out of her mouth.
I tried to clean her up a bit but am afraid she will shock too much. Vet this AM as soon as he opens. Got 1 drop of Polyvisol down her yesterday, some very diluted aspirin water and some clean water. She goes from looking like she is minutes from death to standing up and ruffling feathers. Like she is saying "don't give up on me!"
I feel so darned bad for her. I'm afraid vet may say euthanize due to the beak. PLEASE HELP! What can I do? She just seems too tough to give up on. Only a year old. She is so sweet and actually cuddles up with DH. I have never ever seen hubby so sad.
Is there any hope with her beak so badly damaged? I'm sure vet will do antibiotics and clean her up good. If anyone can answer now or very soon I would appreciate it as I have to leave in 2 hours when he opens!