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Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 8:00 am Post subject: Bloody Fox

I heard a commotion in the Mill Race, charged up there and bellowed. Molly and Dotty came charging out. Couldn't find Goldie but found some feathers. Goldie showed up 2 hours later but Molly had blood on her feet. She wouldn't let me near her (normally she lets me pick her up), so I waited until bed time. Took her off her perch and it looks like the bastard fox had grabbed her by the leg. Nothing broken but the skin has been ripped. I have used some antibacterial spray on it but Fox teeth have all sorts of nasties on them. She is out today but her leg is obviously tender. Not sure there is much more I can really do other than put her out her misery if she gets worse.

This happened in broad daylight.

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 8:56 am Post subject:
I hope Molly is okay Shan.

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 9:04 am Post subject:
Well, she's out eating and drinking. The leg is obviously tender but the bigger worry is septicaemia. I have used an antibacterial spray on her but that doesn't guarantee anything and I really can't justify antibiotics, which tend to in my experience be a 50/50 chance with chickens anyway.

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 9:21 am Post subject:
So how many days do you think before she is out of the woods?

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 9:33 am Post subject:
I'd expect septicaemia to develop fairly quickly to sepsis, so if she's fine in a few days, I'll be hopeful.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 10:28 am Post subject:

a day fox will be a problem, no fox no problem, trap and gun.

hope the chook recovers, as you say nursing and a few days usually is getting better or dead.

pol birds do seem more resilient than young or older ones, hope she is ok.

you said it looked like a rip which is not as bad as punctures (double check for punctures which can hide)

re infection control regular cleaning/dressing etc until it heals helps with secondary infections

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 10:32 am Post subject:
Yes, I will be talking to the gamekeeper. I'll have another look over her this evening. trying to Catch her is just going to distress her.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 10:48 am Post subject:
when roosting is usually easier than a net on a pole, if poss do it as a two person job, one to hold and comfort the other to be nursey

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 10:54 am Post subject:
Yes, Mr Shan and I did that last night. Will be repeating tonight.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 12:11 pm Post subject:

many critters i can do with two hands(and maybe a bit of light bondage) but some things need more than 2 hands and/or sedation

even with a happy to be treated critter it sometimes takes one to manipulate and one to treat.

dpack doing an androcles with a bit of rubble stuck in a bulls hoof was done alone and untethered in a field which may have been rather a bold option but he was well pleased when i told him i was going to get it out for him so i got bold.
he was indeed very happy and even more friendly after that, i spose i might have died but it felt reasonable safe and predictable to just be simple and empathic about the problem

most mutts are fairly easy for most things, some are ok with owt less than something needing a GA
i do help out with control at the vets though as they might be fine with me but a bit resentful of some strangers getting intimate or uncomfortable with them.

dpack giving a cat a worm pill, 4 hands and bondage and then sort out our bites n scratches:roll:

sheep care dpack style is not good for it or me most times but being dragged about by a nearly dead patient is well embarrassing

chooks it depends what needs doing and can it be seen if chook is self held.
i have found it rare to be able to wound manage alone with chooks

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 1:13 pm Post subject:
Chickens are too flappy for one pair of hands. Our last cat was absolutely fine with having a wormer shoved down her throat and I could do it on my own but bloody hell, try putting Frontline on the back of her neck and you would think she was being murdered. It required a towel and 2 people!

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Oct 25, 19 1:52 pm Post subject:
umm

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 19 10:19 am Post subject:
How is she getting on Shan?

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 19 11:02 am Post subject:
She's a bit tender but still alive. She's no longer huddled and she is eating & drinking and pottering about, so cross fingers.

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 19 11:07 am Post subject:
Yes indeed, fingers crossed.

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