The Poultry Keeper

Vanilla · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 37

Okay guys, you've helped me out heaps before. The wonderful new henhouse and run my clever husband built me turned out not to be quite so cat proof as we thought. I went to check on them and found the cat in the run!! It had squeezed through the tiniest gap left for opening the pop hole. I ripped half the mesh off (along with the a finger nail!) and managed to rescue my poor little chick. She has survived the ordeal so far, but has a few scratches and two small puncture wounds. I shut her up in the house with the rest of her mates, and when i checked on her she seemed happy cooched up with them. Is there anything i need to do? Should she have some spray of some sort put on? Any advice please! Fingers crossed she is still with us in the morning.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

cat bites are notorious for getting infected so clean out the wounds as well as you can, sprat antiseptic if you have any or boiled salt water (about 4 tbsp per litre I think) cool it to a decent temperature that won't burn and then rinse out the wounds.

if you can get hold of any antibiotic or can afford the vets then I would definitely suggest that - if not then cross your fingers and hope.

If the skin around the wounds feels very hot or is very red or swollen then it's a sign of infection.

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3469 Location: Monmouthshire

A teaspoon of salt to a pint of water. How old is the bird?

Bhindi · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

I was told to only use salt water while wounds are open. So in the case of my cats abscess I was told to lift of (yuk) the scabs before washing with it, otherwise the salt will heal up the top and trap infection inside.

Vanilla, I hope your little chick recovers ok.

NannyP · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:12 am Post subject:

Hope you're chick is okay.

Don't leave any holes, however small. Hungry predators will tear through easily.
Sad

Vanilla · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 37

Hi all. Right, she's made it through the night. Have just had another look at her, the wounds appear to be fairly minor. More like scratches than actual holes. Have washed them with salt water and sprayed Savlon on them. She seems fine in herself and is eating and walking about fine. Fingers crossed they won't get infected, will keep close eye on her. Poor little things are only eight weeks and have been through so much already! Neighbour has given me some aviary wire for reinforcements and chicks borrowing rabbit run til theirs is fixed. Thanks for all your advice i really appreciate you taking the time to help. Very Happy

Vanilla · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 37

Just found one of the others is even worse, didn't realise he'd got to her, she has a huge scrape down one side again under the wing. Have washed and sprayed. I think these two are the only girls too, so they'd better be ok. I'm getting POL next time!

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

Hope they heal ok!

Vanilla · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 37

Hi all, just a little update. All seems well so far, both chicks are doing well. Do you think an infection would have showed up by now? Or are they still at risk? Any thoughts appreciated, thanks. Very Happy

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

they will still be at risk till it's healed - but it's definitely good news that there is no infection so far!