duckinghampalace Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Has anyone had dog bite puncture wounds to beloved chook ( bubbles ) who survived ? Rear- 4 wounds and a skin tear along rear ( near kidneys in anatomical pics, and cloaca) bleeding and deeper than superficial but chicken walking around initially and no flowing blood, tho area generally hot and distressed. Have bathed in salt water and covered liberally in " natural" antiseptic wound powder to hide any redness and bleeding. Bubbles walking but rear end badly injured and really worried she won't survive the night. ( appears cloaca damaged as seems inverted and puncture wound is just above) As prev post, dog let into garden by in doghouse hubby who " 4got" chickens were there. have kept bubbles separate warm and caged this pm but at bedtime let other chicken and ducks roost with her for warmth and familiarity, I know the general advice is to keep separate for days but as we have only 2 chickens and three ducks ( ducks very gentle and non aggressive to chooks) I felt she would benefit most from familiar dozy warmth over isolation thro night- will separate bubbles into pen again at dawn- please advise if this is a good move as really willing bubbles to survive this awful event??? is there anything else I can do- antibioiic jab from vet????? felt we should see if she survived night before subjecting her to travel and vet trauma on top.( will def do if generally advised). Suggestions very much appreciated- especially heartening survival stories!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 oh dear.... Well guess as with fox bites, you are right about shock being the main killer. Make sure you do get her out at Dawn tho, as her "friend" might peck at her wound if sh sees the blood, keep hher apart and offer her food and water and yes get her to the Vet asap, 1st thing. So much will dened on how deep the woulds are and where, but have read of really horrible injuries making a full recovery, and I rescued a girls that had been attacked and bullied by the flock AND the humungous dog shw hads massive absess in her neck and a punture hole all the way through, food and water leaked out, so all fingers and toes crossed for your girl. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 oh dear - sounds as if you've done all the right things, I would take her to the vet tomorrow by which time hopefully she will have got over the worst of the shock. Don't despair, hens can survive some seemingly very bad injuries, but the vet will be best placed to advise, and antibiotics may very well be needed. Hope she has a comfortable night, let us know how she gets on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Hope she's ok overnight ... vets first thing is a good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Your first aid sounds spot on. Keep her warm and quiet over night, but definitely take her to the vet first thing tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckinghampalace Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Thank you, will take her to the vet this am for antibiotic jab, she is alive- up and moving ( slowly) around, eating and drinking- not very enthusiastically but at least she is trying? I have kept her in the cube and small pen and shut the others out in the run. Her injuries are all on her back end, can anyone tell me ( as she hasn't laid an egg this am) if this is likely to mean she is egg bound and therefore is there anything I should be doing or is it simply a normal reaction given the shock post attack? she is pooh-ing- she just looks uncomfy but so would I if I had teeth marks in my bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 Im glad she is up and about. I would think she wont lay for a while due to the shock and pain she will be in - try giving her some arnica pillules for the bruising and lots of TLC, offer her a few of her fave treats. Keep us posted on her progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckinghampalace Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Bubbles is staying at lovely small animal vets for stitches and antibiotics. Wounds are pretty deep, so vet advised stitching and cleanup, plus chance for better exam. Am aware she may not survive the anaesthetic, but it looked like she could suffer more and probably die without operating. Fingers crossed. She must be a very strong willed chicken to have survived thus far given the extent of her injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 Hope all goes well at the Vets! Get Well soon, Bubbles!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckinghampalace Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Thank you. Bubbles was returned this evening looking a bit the worse for wear but stitched up and still fighting. In " Intensive care " now for 3/4 days!! at " bedtime" I put her in a cat carrier box inside the cube with a microwave heat pad just below the roosting bars for extra warmth- ( bare back) The main cube door is 1/2 open so ducks can come and go, concerned she is a bit cramped in there but really don't want the other hen to peck at her stitches. Anyone got any better suggestions? I want her to be in the familiar environment but protected but am now worried she may be uncomfortable in the box with no roosting bars ( and sitting on droppings?) it has got a good layer of fresh shavings . Anyone got any suggestions or better ideas or do you think thats ok?. ( she was out in the pen untilbed so has been able to stretch her legs between). thanks for posts so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 may I enquire your county? So glads to read she made it. Mine are ex bats and none of my current girls roost, Just poo pick daily. Vet bed is very good or super absorbant clothes! I find they are happy to snuggle down if feeling under the weather any way but you could make little roosting bars like the front section of the Eglu. and place it on the bedding, or maybe someone could lend youi a spare set (depends were you are.) I have large cat/carriers I would be happy to lend if you were/are close enough! But I am hopefull she will be up and about in no time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 I would keep her inside for a couple of nights if you can. The warmth after the op will do her good and help her recover. Avipro is very good stuff for convalescing animals if you have any. Fingers crossed she pulls through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckinghampalace Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Avipro? Have dosed with tonic in water and garlic with rescue remedy on small amt of pellets. Arnica start tomorrow ! ( have i covered all bases) all free choice- she chose the fresh crushed garlic over the worms initially .fed dried mealworms ( her usual favorite) for tea with pellets and corn, she had a bit of appetite by 6pm. Cat box is large (ish) but any bigger and it won't fit in cube and still allow other to roost. If its not essential for her to have the roosting bars for a couple of nights I'll keep her in Cat box dusk -dawn and separate pen by day for next 2/3 days. Vet bed a really good Idea thanks, as shavings may be scratchy for sore bottom, will get some in am. When you say keep inside do you mean the house? did consider that but thought strange noises etc may be more unsettling than cube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckinghampalace Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Have located avipro, with vet bed online and locally- thanks will start tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 ahh I see cat box INSIDE cube, makes sense.... but yes in the house meant indoors with you.... but was too late then/now. I haven't read that anyone felt being indoors stressed or upset them. But unable to comment as all mine just love to be indoors with us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Just want to wish you and Bubbles all the best and speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckinghampalace Posted April 9, 2010 Author Share Posted April 9, 2010 Many thanks to all, Bubbles is running around large pen scratching for worms this morning and bright as a button! shes back in with the ducks and rosie ( chicken) today as i can keep a close eye on them and she was desperate to be out, its warm and sunny and thats probably as good a medicine as any. Wounds all covered in purple spray and No pecking or squabbles, just happy relaxed chickens...and ..... she laid an egg- what a trooper. not an edible one but that girl is an amazing fighter. Thanks for helping me thro time of stress!!!. I won't mention the rather huge vets bill- she's worth every penny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 GREAT NEWS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 Hi, i'm really sorry about that. thinking about you and bubbles.. Cheryl my turkey got attacked by a large fox, and she is surviving.. Take her to the vets asap, and they will 'sell' you some antibiotics and painkillers. You're really lucky it hasn't peirced through her air bag, like the vet said to me.. Goodluck, thinking about bubbles. Edit: sorry didn't realize there was a secand page. Thats really great news!. When we took cheryl to the vets, it was a big bill, also of £67! but i suppose its okay, since she is a lovely pet, and im sure every chicken/ poultry owner thinks the same about there girls/boys. really glad bubbles is okay. what a lovely name!! : P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckinghampalace Posted April 11, 2010 Author Share Posted April 11, 2010 I am sorry to hear about Cheryl, How is she faring? I am now amazed at how resilliant poultry can be if given a chance. Before I started I could not imagine feeling as strongly about my girls as the Dogs and Cats but they really are part of the family.( and as I write I see one of the ducks waddling into the kitchen!). Really best wishes to Cheryl. When I first posted I was hoping to hear stories of survivors to help decide the kindest thing for her as I didn't believe that she could survive, having seen the mess she was in, But Not only has she, but she is outside scratching and pecking with all the enthusiasm she had before- and thankfully doesn't seem too traumatised either. Love and TLC. Best wishes to you and your " coop". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
