Somehow after three months in their new coop/run my wing-clipped Barred Rock got over a 6' fence and was attacked by a dog before my wife could rescue her. Remarkably, she seems to be in pretty good spirits, and unfortunately even managed to lay her first egg. She has lost about a 3 inch square section on skin but it is not too deep or bleeding too badly, My wife treated it with a topical antibiotic (no benzocaine or other pain killers in it). When I got home from work I checked her out and saw a small (1/8") puncture wound. Very occasionally I can her air escaping when she makes a large exhalation. I can get an antibiotic, some vet wrap and penicillin. Is there anything else I can do for her. I especially don't want to prolong her suffering if this is likely to be an unrecoverable injury. I could post a photo if it would help. She is currently inside resting.
Thanks for your help.
UPDATE 01/03/10
I wanted to post this update in case someone in the future searches and finds this post.
I followed the excellent advice from user ThreeHorses, about half-way down, here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=213146 . I carefully packed the small hole with an antibiotic ointment, and then used saline to irrigate the rest of the wound (I didn't want to risk getting any saline inside her abdominal cavity). Next I cleaned with an antiseptic (by the way, betadine is much cheaper per ounce at TSC than Target or Walgreens) and slathered her over with the triple. We converted the large rubbermaid tote we keep our feed in into a chicken hospital (even added a roost) and kept her in a warm isolated place. Within an hour or so I noticed her taking a pretty good drink, which was a great sign. After Christmas when the feed stores reopened we were able to start a course of PennG.
Amazingly, the small hole was closed within about four or five days, and the rest of the injury is about 75% healed over. Yesterday we reintroduced her back to the main coop. I kept the wound covered in blue kote to prevent pecking and also made her a saddle/apron to wear to help keep the area protected. While I know she's not out of the woods yet, she continues to eat and drink well and has even ventured out into the cold a time or two. She will have some pretty gnarly scar tissue.
Anyways, I just wanted to share in case someone else in is a similar situation. I really didn't want to have to cull my wife's favorite hen on Christmas Eve. But, even having read here how quickly chickens can recover from injuries I am very impressed. Thanks to everyone on these forums for providing all of their help and advice.
Thanks for your help.
UPDATE 01/03/10
I wanted to post this update in case someone in the future searches and finds this post.
I followed the excellent advice from user ThreeHorses, about half-way down, here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=213146 . I carefully packed the small hole with an antibiotic ointment, and then used saline to irrigate the rest of the wound (I didn't want to risk getting any saline inside her abdominal cavity). Next I cleaned with an antiseptic (by the way, betadine is much cheaper per ounce at TSC than Target or Walgreens) and slathered her over with the triple. We converted the large rubbermaid tote we keep our feed in into a chicken hospital (even added a roost) and kept her in a warm isolated place. Within an hour or so I noticed her taking a pretty good drink, which was a great sign. After Christmas when the feed stores reopened we were able to start a course of PennG.
Amazingly, the small hole was closed within about four or five days, and the rest of the injury is about 75% healed over. Yesterday we reintroduced her back to the main coop. I kept the wound covered in blue kote to prevent pecking and also made her a saddle/apron to wear to help keep the area protected. While I know she's not out of the woods yet, she continues to eat and drink well and has even ventured out into the cold a time or two. She will have some pretty gnarly scar tissue.
Anyways, I just wanted to share in case someone else in is a similar situation. I really didn't want to have to cull my wife's favorite hen on Christmas Eve. But, even having read here how quickly chickens can recover from injuries I am very impressed. Thanks to everyone on these forums for providing all of their help and advice.
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