Solving Omlet Smart Auto Door Timing Issues with Alexa Routines

[Rosey Supposey]

I'm sure this question has been asked by other people, and answered a hundred times over, so apologies for starting a new thread..I did do a search, but I'm a little jittery at the moment!

 

Just been through my first fox attack on my hens (there was me thinking "Oh that'll never happen to us"). Pip, the hen taken fought bravely and escaped, and the fox was seen off.

 

There's feathers everywhere, but no blood. She's in shock, but has eaten and drunk a little and is now in bed in the Eglu.

 

My worry are the puncture wounds left on her breast. There's no blood, but at least three definite holes in her skin. When I touched them she wheezed terribly, so she's understandably in pain there, but do I need to treat these puncture holes in any way? Cover them over? Put antibiotic cream on them?

 

Thanks for any advice you can offer, and taking the time to read this.

[Mrs_B]

So sorry to hear about Mr Fox Personally I would get her to a vet as soon as I could. I think anything like wounds which is causing wheezing for exmaple is something for a professional.

 

I haven't got the appropriate experience so I can't advise...but do you have any Violet Spray? It is an anti septic spray for minor wounds, but it might help? Someone please correct me if I am wrong!

 

Good luck!

 

x

[Tweety]

She needs to see a vet. If there are puncture marks she will need antibiotics.

[Chucky Mama]

The wheezing could mean that she has a punctured air sac which will need treatment. If there is a punctured air sac you can often feel a slightly 'crunchy' sensation if you gently feel around the wounds.

[Rosey Supposey]

Thank you so much for coming back to me, I really do appreciate it.

 

I took your advice and took victim hen to the vet. Heartbreakingly for me, both my much trusted chicken specialist vets were away - so I ended up with a pleasant enough local jack-of-trades vet.

 

Chook had more bite marks than I'd realised. Looks like she shook foxy off at least three times, and yes she had an air sack puncture (thanks for telling me about that Chucky Mama, I was ale to walk in say "I think she might have an air sack puncture...").

 

She's been given Tylan which cheeses me off a little, as my preference is always Baytril - but vet refused to give it, and she's going back for a check up in a couple of days. I was surprised chook wasn't given Metacam as she's very sore and bruised, but I guess different vets have different ways and I need to respect that.

 

Little one is tired and sore, but has a crop full of meal worms and is currently sleeping standing up in a big dish of wood shavings on the kitchen floor.

 

Thank you all so much for your help x

[Chucky Mama]

Good to hear that you got her looked at and that you now know what you are dealing with. The reason for Tylan could well be the fact that there is no withdrawal and it is broad spectrum which is ideal for this type of injury. Keep a close eye on her (which I know you will) as if the puncture is large she may need further intervention. Good luck

[Rosey Supposey]

Thanks for that Chucky Mama! That reassures me a lot!

 

I've always had a (probably irrational) dislike of Tylan. The girls hate the taste of it, so I have to constantly work at getting them to drink it in water - especially when they're ill and don't want to eat or drink at all. (Little one's beak was hurt during the fox attack, so can't bring myself to press her beak open and syringe it in.)

 

I've also heard Tylan is weaker than Baytril, but I don't know if that's true or just internet opinion. In my own small experience I've found avian specialist vets give Baytril, generalist vets give Tylan. Sadly for me, my own hens given Tylan have always passed on, the Baytril ones have recovered...but I suspect that's complete co-incidence from my own small sample and I'm just responding emotionally.

 

Very much appreciate you explaining that Tylan may have been a chosen for a reason. I was on the verge of putting little one in the car and driving her two hours to the next closest avian vet for a second opinion. She's so bruised and sore the journey would have been horrendous for her, and more about my anxiety than her treatment.

 

Thank you x

[Chucky Mama]

Many vets use Baytril as that is what they are used to. Tyan's license for nil egg withdrawal is fairly new. It is good practise to use some antibiotics only when absolutely necessary to help prevent drug resistance. Your little girl is being 'covered' by the use of antibiotics rather than having treatment for an aggressive or persistent infection. Tylan is entirely appropriate Hope she is feeling better

[AndreaT]

Sorry to hear about the attack, hope Pip is doing ok.

 

When one of my girls was attacked an Omleteer recommended using arnica to help with the bruising and soreness. You can get little pistules which look like little pearls and she should just peck them out of your hand.

[majuka]

Very sorry to hear this. Pip sounds a very brave girl. Everything crossed here that she makes a speedy recovery.

[Rosey Supposey]

Thank you for being so nice and willing to help! I really appreciate it.

 

Pip is still with us. She's perking up by the hour, but still has a long way to go. She's improved enough to walk again, but she was our little Rocket who was obsessed with jumping on top of everything and being as high up as possible. So it's hurt seeing her barely able to climb the step into the Eglu, even though we've made a couple of steps out of pacing slabs lined by a cut-up yoga mat for grip.

 

On the plus side, she is happily taking the arnica (thanks for that AndreaT).

 

Fingers crossed she's over the worst now, although the vet warned hens often go from fox-bite trauma to preitonitis so that's the next concern!

[AndreaT]

Glad to hear she's doing well! It took my girl a good two weeks to be well enough to go back in with the others and a while longer to be back to her usual mad self so it does take a while.