An opossum somehow managed to grab one of my silkies and drag her under one of the two coops last night before I went out to close them up. Upon seeing the opossum underneath the coop with the silkie, I assumed the pullet was dead. However, once the opossum was killed and I was attempting to get the silkie out from under the coop, I saw she was breathing. She then tried to drag herself between the coop and some chicken wire, screaming all the while. The wire was clipped and I was able to free her. I brought her inside and put her in a dog crate with wood shavings.
A little while later after I had taken care of the other chickens, I examined the extent of the damage. I can take pictures of the wound if needed, but I will try to describe it for now. Her left side, mostly near the breast and underneath the wing, is torn open; muscles are easily visible (part of the "knee: is also visible) though I can't detect any internal organs or bones. It is not bleeding. There are a few puncture wounds on the other side of the bird, but they are not as serious. The large wound was gently rinsed with both soapy and clean water. After that, soft pieces of coconut oil were carefully pressed onto the wound to melt (coconut oil has antibacterial properties and seems to sooth open flesh). One of her eyes was closed last night and putting weight on the wounded leg appears painful.
She made it through the night, though now she appears to be in shock, as both her eyes are closed and she doesn't hardly move at all, except when I examine the wound. Her breathing is steady, but she does not eat or drink. I mixed a cup of water with a teaspoon of sugar and a bit of salt and have squirted small drops in her mouth with a syringe. I held her head back to help her swallow, though sometimes it dribbles back out if she does not swallow a little on her own. The very first time I squirted a bit of water in her mouth, it came back out and was tinged a brownish-red. I have not noticed anymore after that. She did poop during the night, but it seemed to mostly consist of urates. I melted more coconut oil and squirted a good amount on the wounds a little bit ago.
What I'm thinking is that if she made it through the night, maybe she has a chance at surviving this. What are your thoughts? Advice would be greatly appreciated.
A little while later after I had taken care of the other chickens, I examined the extent of the damage. I can take pictures of the wound if needed, but I will try to describe it for now. Her left side, mostly near the breast and underneath the wing, is torn open; muscles are easily visible (part of the "knee: is also visible) though I can't detect any internal organs or bones. It is not bleeding. There are a few puncture wounds on the other side of the bird, but they are not as serious. The large wound was gently rinsed with both soapy and clean water. After that, soft pieces of coconut oil were carefully pressed onto the wound to melt (coconut oil has antibacterial properties and seems to sooth open flesh). One of her eyes was closed last night and putting weight on the wounded leg appears painful.
She made it through the night, though now she appears to be in shock, as both her eyes are closed and she doesn't hardly move at all, except when I examine the wound. Her breathing is steady, but she does not eat or drink. I mixed a cup of water with a teaspoon of sugar and a bit of salt and have squirted small drops in her mouth with a syringe. I held her head back to help her swallow, though sometimes it dribbles back out if she does not swallow a little on her own. The very first time I squirted a bit of water in her mouth, it came back out and was tinged a brownish-red. I have not noticed anymore after that. She did poop during the night, but it seemed to mostly consist of urates. I melted more coconut oil and squirted a good amount on the wounds a little bit ago.
What I'm thinking is that if she made it through the night, maybe she has a chance at surviving this. What are your thoughts? Advice would be greatly appreciated.
