Dog bite

[Morricl]

Hi I am new here - so hello. Unfortunately one of our hens got out and tried to eat the dogs food which resulted in the dog snapping at her. She has blood on both sides of her head, her eyes are partially closed and she is very withdrawn. I have no idea if the dogs teeth perforated her skull. Is there any way she can survive this? She doesn't seem to be suffering but I don't want her having a slow lingering death if there is no hope. The vet isn't open now so it would mean my husband ending it if necessary.

 

[snifter]

It's entirely possible she has suffered damage to her skull. If blood was drawn can you see any puncture marks or wounds anywhere on her? Depending how big the dog and how hard the bite, she may or may not recover. Its hard to know really. Have you cleaned the wounds? Might be an idea to and get a look at them and gently feel her skull for damange.

I'd give her overnight in a box, check on her before bed and when you wake and see how she is. If she is looking worse or off her legs I'd considering ending her suffering. However, she may surprise you and perk up by the morning. But I'd think an overnight would be enough to know if it was going to be good or bad news. And if she is really off her legs tonight I'd consider not leaving her to linger the night.

 

[Morricl]

Thank you for replying. She has perked up a bit - she has been walking round but her left eye is completely closed and when I tried to hand feed her she didn't seem to know where the food was. If she survives she might be blind in one eye at least! It was a big dog - Collie so could have been a nasty bite. We've only got two hens and the other one is very passive. I've put them in the coop and closed the door and will wait for the morning. She doesn't seem to be suffering. We have had a good look at her head and she has a small wound which looks 'yucky' but can't see if the skull was punctured or not- I didn't want to distress her anymore tonight so thought we'd clean it in the morning if she is still with us. My husband got me 3 Warrens for my birthday and one died of an awful prolapse 3 weeks after we got them - so we're not doing very well. I grew up with chickens and thought it would be easy. As a 'tough' country girl I've been surprised at how attached I've got and how upsetting it is when things go wrong! I know they're only chickens but..............................

 

[Tim]

Yes, agree with Snifter.

I would examine the head carefully. If it is a serious wound, the hen won't last long anyway. The bite would have been inhibited if she is still alive after the bite. In other words it was a 'No!' nip, not a bite that would kill.

A dog can bite and cause very serious damage easily. As puppies, they learn bite inhibition - this is why puppies teeth are very sharp and pointed so when they are 'play biting' with the other pups in the litter, they bite a little too hard and the pup on the receiving end yelps and the play ends. The pup learns to inhibit its bite in this way.

A good job really otherwise dogs would bite people's hands off more often .... and would have killed your chook pretty quickly.

For surface wounds, veterinary would powder or similar should be applied to prevent infection and the chook should be kept isolated away from the flock, as Snifter suggested.

Good Luck.

Tim

 

[Tim]

Sorry, we were posting at the same time so a little more info... If the eye is damaged, she can still survive and manage if it doesn't get infected but may need eye drops.

With the wound, it will need antiseptic of some description - if you don't have wound powder, a little of what you have in stock for yourselves gently applied is the next best bet and shouldn't hurt her.

The shock may kill her, the morning will be the tell tale sign in my experience - if she is eating and moving in the morning, she will probably recover. If she doesn't go for the food and won't move, she will probably get weak and die a day later. I'm pleased she has perked up, that's a good sign.

Keep her isolated as the other hen will peck at blood - they are attracted to red.

Good luck and don't let these unfortunate events put you off keeping chickens..

Tim

 

[Morricl]

Your anticipation of the morning has come sadly true - she is not moving, eating or drinking and despite trying to get her to drink from a syringe no go. She will dehydrate - particularly in this weather. I am going to take the dogs out and she can be pt out of her misery. I presume she cannot recover and it's cruel to let her die over three days. She was my favourite

 

[Anonymous]

sorry to hear that its aterrible feeling when you have to do that but she can't be left to suffer.you're doing the right thing.

 

[Tim]

I'm sorry to hear she had gone downhill. It sounds like you are making the right decision under the circumstances.

 

[Morricl]

Well! My husband didn't agree and said we would not decide until the end of Sunday. He gave her water every hour starting with 2mls and I gave her 10 mls at 8.00pm using a syringe. She wasn't moving, had both eyes closed and looked dreadful. We agreed to see how things were next morning. Monday morning she walked out of the coop and started pecking. We cleaned her eyes and applied purple antiseptic spray with a cotton bud avoiding eyes. Husband self employed so he popped home 3 times during Monday to check her. She is now walking around, eating and drinking. She laid Sunday and Monday but not today. She may be blind in right eye but the left is fine. I know she is not out of the woods yet but she is amazing - so is my husband!

 

[Anonymous]

That's amazing!!! So pleased for you! And major brownie points for your hubbie!

 

[Tallulah]

what an amazing turn around for your little chook! I was just wondering how she is now a few days on from the bite?

I have only just started keeping chickens and have found them full of surprises - just wished I had been able to have them a lot earlier