URGENT! Hawk Attack Severe Injuries

[ciaolobster]

Help! One of my babies was attacked by a large hawk today and is severely injured (warning: graphic photos attached). I separated her from the flock and brought her in the house to recover. She is standing and pretty alert, and no blood is flowing out of her wounds, but they look deep and pretty bad. I haven't seen her eat or drink yet, but I'm keeping a close watch on her. I'm sure she is in extreme shock, but I am so worried about her deep wound.
Anyone have any ideas if there's anything I can do other that let time heal her? Should I clean her wound? Bandage it? Leave it to air? Please help and thank you so much in advance!

 

[Mrs J]

I am so sorry this happened, firstly treat for shock by giving sugar or electrolyte’s mixed with water through a syringe, keep her warm, and in a calm place. Here is a link someone posted who had a similar experience. Hopefully one of our more knowledgeable members will pick this up. @azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive
Good luck

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/polish-attacked-by-hawk-graphic-photos.1508152/

 

[ciaolobster]

I am so sorry this happened, firstly treat for shock by giving sugar or electrolyte’s mixed with water through a syringe, keep her warm, and in a calm place. Here is a link someone posted who had a similar experience. Hopefully one of our more knowledgeable members will pick this up. @azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive
Good luck

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/polish-attacked-by-hawk-graphic-photos.1508152/

Thank you so so so much!!!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Looks like it missed her jugular. Very lucky.

I'd just clean it, & keep it moist to air heal.

 

[ciaolobster]

Looks like it missed her jugular. Very lucky.

I'd just clean it, & keep it moist to air heal.

Thank you so much! Any advice on how best to clean it or what to clean it with? I've been reading neosporin works. I also have hydrogen peroxide. It's just so so so deep and delicate pieces of her insides seem to be exposed, I don't want to do any further damage.

 

[Mrs J]

Flush the wound well with saline. This
is better than soap and water as it
maintains the PH of the tissues. But warm
soap and water will do. You need to wash
away the bacteria from the wound.

 

[ciaolobster]

Flush the wound well with saline. This
is better than soap and water as it
maintains the PH of the tissues. But warm
soap and water will do. You need to wash
away the bacteria from the wound.

Great, thank you again so much!! I appreciate you!

 

[azygous]

Here's what you do in the event of a predator attack to treat the survivor.

1. Treat for shock as the number one step. Give warm Gatoraid or mix a half teaspoon of sugar into a fourth of a cup of warm water with a pinch of salt and baking soda. Have the patient drink it all or syringe it into the beak.

2. Flush the wound well with saline. This is better than soap and water as it maintains the PH of the tissues. But warm soap and water will do. You need to wash away the bacteria from the wound.

3. Inspect the wound carefully. If it has a skin flap dangling, keep that. Do not cut it off. Look for bite, tear or puncture marks indicating a puncture wound. If you see this, the patient will need an oral antibiotic such as amoxicillin. Bacteria from the predator’s mouth can be injected deep into tissue and can kill in as little as 24 to 48 hours. You can order this https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/250mg once a day for ten days. Or you may be able to find this or something similar at TSC or a pet store.

4. Spray with Vetericyn wound treament and let dry. Use a topical antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or a generic without pain killer in it to coat the wound. If there's a skin flap, lay it across the wound that has just been coated with the ointment. Then smooth on a generous amount over the top of the skin flap to hold it in place.

5. It's useless to try to stitch a wound on a chicken. Don't even try. It's also useless to try to bandage a wound other than on the feet. The chicken will not tolerate it. It will be pulled off faster than you can blink an eye.

6. Clean the wound every day following the above steps. Keep the wound covered with the ointment. Never allow the wound to get dried out or it will not heal.

 

[ciaolobster]

Here's what you do in the event of a predator attack to treat the survivor.

1. Treat for shock as the number one step. Give warm Gatoraid or mix a half teaspoon of sugar into a fourth of a cup of warm water with a pinch of salt and baking soda. Have the patient drink it all or syringe it into the beak.

2. Flush the wound well with saline. This is better than soap and water as it maintains the PH of the tissues. But warm soap and water will do. You need to wash away the bacteria from the wound.

3. Inspect the wound carefully. If it has a skin flap dangling, keep that. Do not cut it off. Look for bite, tear or puncture marks indicating a puncture wound. If you see this, the patient will need an oral antibiotic such as amoxicillin. Bacteria from the predator’s mouth can be injected deep into tissue and can kill in as little as 24 to 48 hours. You can order this https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/250mg once a day for ten days. Or you may be able to find this or something similar at TSC or a pet store.

4. Spray with Vetericyn wound treament and let dry. Use a topical antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or a generic without pain killer in it to coat the wound. If there's a skin flap, lay it across the wound that has just been coated with the ointment. Then smooth on a generous amount over the top of the skin flap to hold it in place.

5. It's useless to try to stitch a wound on a chicken. Don't even try. It's also useless to try to bandage a wound other than on the feet. The chicken will not tolerate it. It will be pulled off faster than you can blink an eye.

6. Clean the wound every day following the above steps. Keep the wound covered with the ointment. Never allow the wound to get dried out or it will not heal.

so helpful, thank you so much!

 

[Mrs J]

Great, thank you again so much!! I appreciate you!

I have a good Teacher, I learnt this from @azygous