Roo attacked by dog! Help!

[James Bond]

Wow so much info - I've been writing it down. Thanks so very much.
I moved James to the basement - where we dont' usually hang out, that way he can have some quiet. Should I leave it dark or put on a light?
He has been making little coo sounds often - he does not appear to be eating (I gave him some srambled egg this morning) and I have electrolyte water for him to drink, I havn't seen him drink either. I did call to him - the sound I make when I have treats - and he turned his head toward my voice.
I rinsed out his wound again this am. In a little bit I will try to put some water into him.
Should he be perking up soon?
Thanks for all the advice - I'm starting to worry that he isn't going to make it.
Peggy

 

[jjthink]

Hi Peggy, It can take quite awhile to heal. The important thing is that he is warm, comfortable, stress free (good that you moved him to quiet spot - no dogs, no kids - no exceptions - not until he is strong) and that infection is kept at bay. Topical antibiotic may not be enough and time is of the essence where infections are concerned. How deep do you think the wound is? Hydration also crucial as has been noted above - I would add the aspirin (no substitutes) as described in my earlier post. If he has some pain relief he will have more will to live and he will be able to get some sleep. The trick is getting the aspirin water into him - if he won't drink you may have to very very carefully drip small amounts along his beak so that he swallows but so that the water does not go down the wrong way. You asked about a light - okay during day, off at night. If it's noisy above his head because he's in the basement you might try what I did with an injured roo in my care once - classical music on low.........this roo went from near death - couldn't stand for a week and looked for all the world like a dead chicken - to a total healing in time. Keep us posted. JJ

 

[James Bond]

Thanks JJ -
I have crushed the asprin up a gallon of water and will give that to him after I pen up the other birds for the night.
I was able to force him to drink electrolye water earlier today but he won't touch the eggs - I held them up to his mouth but he wouldn't open.
He isn't laying down - only standing - although last night he would lay down everyonce in awhile.
I lightly rinsed him with hydrogen peroxide and later tonight will get some supplies at the feed store.
We are trying to keep it quiet - I got rid of 2 boys today - we are all home now and I think I will get the music - our house is small and you can really hear every noise.
Thanks for the words - we feel awful and very scared - we are supposed to leave on Saturday for 5 days and are now feeling very bad about that - my DH will be here with James and the chickens. But James is more comfortable with me....
I'll post later.
Thanks
Peggy

 

[James Bond]

We went to give him medicated water - he would drink some while I held him.
He still will not eat. BUT I think we saw a sign of progress - he was turning his head and looking around while we were talking to him. YES!
I washed him with peroxide again - he jumped off my lap and walked fast back into the dog crate - also a reaction that we have not seen.
I am off to the feed store to buy some more supplies - and stock an emergency kit
so we are prepared for the next crisis.
Please keep posting and lending support - it helps us feel better.
Thanks Peggy

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Thats a great sign! He is alert so thats some good progress. I hope he gets back to being 100% his old self again

 

[pollysmum]

Keep the bird warm
Keep lighting on the bird during the day light hours or he won' t eat of drink, he will think its night time

Don't use the Hydrogen peroxide again please... either use a weak tea solution of betadine... or just plain warm water gently run over the area to keep it clean

Personally I would not use any ointments... they just cause dust and dirt to stick to them and I feel make the healing process longer

Make up a wet mash of layer feed and put hot butter milk or hot water with them to make into a wet mash.. not runny... he must still be able to peck at it and eat it by picking it up

The water containers and feed are they same as the ones he uses outside.. if not try and put something similar... anything new or a bright color may be turning him off using what you have out for him

Does he have a roost to sit on ... roosters love to stand up on something .... put a chair or something low for him to stand on..

they also get very lonely.. so don't let him be alone for long periods of time... even if you put a barrier of wire and put another bird in with him... but not able to touch him.. as it will peck at his back...

 

[sammi]

can't add other advice to above posts..
but keeping my fingers crossed for your James.

 

[jjthink]

It sounds like this roo has an excellent chance. With fluids in him (so glad he's drinking!) and infection kept at bay and with a quiet environment he will come around in time. How deep is the wound or wounds and is he only on topical antibiotic?
I do hear you about the worries around leaving town - my roo is a nervous wreck if anyone touches him but me......
JJ

 

[James Bond]

Wow
What a difference a day makes!

When I went to refill the water and offer the mash James was up trying to drink! I was using a small waterer (like when they were baby chicks) well he had knocked it over - Thanks Pollysmom - I remembered what you said and quickly got our spare waterer that we sometimes use outside.
I left the lid off and filled it with more sugar/electrolyte water - he went right over and started drinking!
Last night while I was with the kids at TaeKwonDo - DH brought home some blukote and put some on his back.
We are leaving tomorrow - DH will be the head nurse - I'll need to leave him some instructions - (We'll only be gone 5 days) should James stay in the basement the entire time? Keep eating mash? Reapply the blukote? When can/should he rejoin the girls? We are having a snow storm now and I don't think he should go out for a while.

Thanks so much for all of your support -jj,
polysmom and sammi ,inuyashalover21, dlhunicorn. crazy4chicsinBC, and rooster red -
I really couldn't have done it without BYC and all of your support/advice!

I"ll keep ya posted.
Peggy

 

[pollysmum]

Quote:
You can cut out the electrolytes now.. he should be ok

Last night while I was with the kids at TaeKwonDo - DH brought home some blukote and put some on his back.
We are leaving tomorrow - DH will be the head nurse - I'll need to leave him some instructions - (We'll only be gone 5 days) should James stay in the basement the entire time?

Yes ... with light enough so he can eat and drink

Keep eating mash?

Yes

Reapply the blukote?

No, one application should be enough to help with the healing process thus far... just make sure its kept clean, if needed spray with a syringe with tea strength betadine in water.. do not use hydrogen peroxide its too strong for the new tissue growth

When can/should he rejoin the girls?

When his back is healed, or they will peck at it and infect it and possibly cause bloody poisoning or open it up again, better to be sure than sorry

We are having a snow storm now and I don't think he should go out for a while.

I agree

I"ll keep ya posted.
Peggy

Will be watching for updates.​