Last night my rooster was attacked by a raccoon and almost scalped. Both of his eyes are closed and he has a huge cut going from the back of his comb to right behind the eye. We did a water rinse to get as much dirt off of it. He gurgles when he breathes and drinks water, could that mean there is damage to his trachea? He has been taking these long deep breathes almost as someone who has a stuffy nose. We tried to clear his nostrils of any dirt. What could this be and how can we help? He has been able to stand up and clucked just a moment ago.
Rooster was attacked by a raccoon
- Thread starter JWar
- Start date
What does the inside of his beak look like?
Have you checked him for more injuries that may be hidden under his feathers? Check all over -breast, crop, under wings, bum, everywhere. Note if there is any swelling of the body or if there's air under the skin as well.
I would probably flush the wounds out again - use saline since the eyes are involved. Clear his nostrils the best you can.
He's likely in shock too so keeping him warm would be good. Apply triple antibiotic ointment to his wounds.
If you have poultry vitamins or electrolytes those would be good, if not make a little sugar water and see if you can get him to drink.
If he were mine, I would also start him on a round of antibiotics. Depending on where you live you may be able to get Amoxicillin (Fish Mox) at your local Tractor Supply. If not check to see if they have Procaine Penicillin G in the refrigerated section.
I'm sorry your rooster was injured. If you have access to vet care and it's something you can afford, that would be best.
Have you checked him for more injuries that may be hidden under his feathers? Check all over -breast, crop, under wings, bum, everywhere. Note if there is any swelling of the body or if there's air under the skin as well.
I would probably flush the wounds out again - use saline since the eyes are involved. Clear his nostrils the best you can.
He's likely in shock too so keeping him warm would be good. Apply triple antibiotic ointment to his wounds.
If you have poultry vitamins or electrolytes those would be good, if not make a little sugar water and see if you can get him to drink.
If he were mine, I would also start him on a round of antibiotics. Depending on where you live you may be able to get Amoxicillin (Fish Mox) at your local Tractor Supply. If not check to see if they have Procaine Penicillin G in the refrigerated section.
I'm sorry your rooster was injured. If you have access to vet care and it's something you can afford, that would be best.
- Thread starter
- #3
The only injuries are on his head. The inside of his beaks is normal, we have just been trying to keep his nostrils clear. We have kept him under the heat with a blanket to make sure he is warm. We just got some electrolytes and we have saline to flush the wounds.
If he's not able to move really well, I would watch that he doesn't overheat.
- Thread starter
- #5
He is able to stand up on his own, but we kept him in a smaller space to reduce the chances of him injury himself further. We tried not to put the lamp too close.
- Thread starter
- #6
Is that the latest photo of what he looks like now?
He's keeping his beak open - any chance it's cracked or broken?
Is he still having issues with breathing?
He's keeping his beak open - any chance it's cracked or broken?
Is he still having issues with breathing?
- Thread starter
- #8
That was just taken now. His nostrils are still blocked slightly, so he is most likely breathing through his mouth. He is still taking deep breaths and it still sounds like someone with a stuffy nose when they try to breathe in through their nose.
See if you can clear the nostrils. I would take a qtip - wet it with a little saline or diluted Peroxide and see if that helps removed the caked up blood.
I wouldn't use the Peroxide anywhere else, just see if it helps with dissolving the blood in the nostrils.
I wouldn't use the Peroxide anywhere else, just see if it helps with dissolving the blood in the nostrils.
Good advice from @Wyorp Rock rock. Can you see if his eye is intact or if it may have been punctured? The saline is okay for his eye, and if you can get Terramycin eye ointment from the feed store of plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment, those can be use in his eye, and the Triple Antibiotic can be used on his wounds after cleaning them. His beak looks a little askew, but hopefully his beak or jaw is not cracked. Offer fluids often from a cup or small waterer held up to his beak. The heat lamp should be 18 inches or more from him. Sorry about his injuries.
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