ZorotheDuck
In the Brooder
- Dec 6, 2018
- 15
- 51
- 49
Our mallard drake, Tiger, was hatched and raised in our home. He is imprinted on us and started our entire obsession with ducks.
Being a mallard, he can, of course, fly. He usually flies around our property and doesn't venture too far. Yesterday, he respoinded to the sound of a duck lure and flew over to our neighbor's property where he was subsequently shot at. They missed (thank God!!!) and I promptly went over to let them know that was our duck. To their credit, our neighbors were horrified that they almost shot our pet and promised that they wouldn't shoot at a mallard drake for the remainder of duck season (I had not idea duck season was upon us... I'm not a hunter nor do I know many so I was horrified at this news).
Anyway, Tiger flew off for the night (scared, probably). He was back at our pond this morning, but I noticed he wasn't using his right leg. I was able to capture him and bring him inside to take a closure look. I can't see any blood or obvious damage (my first fear was that a piece of shot had caught him). His limp seemed to get better as we sat together in the bedroom. I decided to take him out to the "duck room" in our barn and closed him up by himself with food, water (enhanced with a vitamin B complex). He used to have female friends, which we purchased for him when he was a couple weeks old so that he wouldn't be a lonely duckling, but they have since flown off for the winter (at least... I am telling myself that they flew off).
I was in there a little while ago to just sit with him and give him company. He is sleeping a lot, and seems to have a good appetite. However, his limp seems to have gotten worse. I know duck sprain their legs and feet all the time, but given the trauma of yesterday I am worried that he may have a broken bone or something worse.
Our domestic ducks are outside for the day, but will go back into the "duck room" (where Tiger is recouping) for the night. Tiger is not bonded with our domestic ducks, but we have put him inside at night with them (with a partition) with the hopes he might not be so lonely.
Given all this background, here are my questions:
1. Should I put him in a crate and keep him in the barn with the domestic ducks for the night so he has company, or should I give put him in a separate shed (where he used to go a night when he was younger) for solitude, quite, and familiarity?
2. Should I bring him in our house? I worry about temperature shock going back outside (winter temps, mid-30s during the day, upper teens at night). Plus, he can fly, so windows are always a concern. But we have drapes we can pull.
3. How long should I wait until calling a vet? I'm tempted to call first thing tomorrow morning, but everything I've read about duck limping says to give them time.
4. Water therapy? I noticed when he was out at the pond he kept wanting to get out of the water to inspect his leg. I wonder if climbing into/out of a tub would negate any benefits of swimming. Plus: he can fly. So if he spooks and flies out, he has to land which would put more strain on his leg...
5. Has anyone given their ducks anti-inflammatory medications? Do you need special meds from a vet, or can you give them a ducky-dose of a human NSAID?
Does anyone have any advice, especially with mallards? They are a little different to deal with than domestics since their ability to fly adds a complication to medical care..
Thanks in advance!
Being a mallard, he can, of course, fly. He usually flies around our property and doesn't venture too far. Yesterday, he respoinded to the sound of a duck lure and flew over to our neighbor's property where he was subsequently shot at. They missed (thank God!!!) and I promptly went over to let them know that was our duck. To their credit, our neighbors were horrified that they almost shot our pet and promised that they wouldn't shoot at a mallard drake for the remainder of duck season (I had not idea duck season was upon us... I'm not a hunter nor do I know many so I was horrified at this news).
Anyway, Tiger flew off for the night (scared, probably). He was back at our pond this morning, but I noticed he wasn't using his right leg. I was able to capture him and bring him inside to take a closure look. I can't see any blood or obvious damage (my first fear was that a piece of shot had caught him). His limp seemed to get better as we sat together in the bedroom. I decided to take him out to the "duck room" in our barn and closed him up by himself with food, water (enhanced with a vitamin B complex). He used to have female friends, which we purchased for him when he was a couple weeks old so that he wouldn't be a lonely duckling, but they have since flown off for the winter (at least... I am telling myself that they flew off).
I was in there a little while ago to just sit with him and give him company. He is sleeping a lot, and seems to have a good appetite. However, his limp seems to have gotten worse. I know duck sprain their legs and feet all the time, but given the trauma of yesterday I am worried that he may have a broken bone or something worse.
Our domestic ducks are outside for the day, but will go back into the "duck room" (where Tiger is recouping) for the night. Tiger is not bonded with our domestic ducks, but we have put him inside at night with them (with a partition) with the hopes he might not be so lonely.
Given all this background, here are my questions:
1. Should I put him in a crate and keep him in the barn with the domestic ducks for the night so he has company, or should I give put him in a separate shed (where he used to go a night when he was younger) for solitude, quite, and familiarity?
2. Should I bring him in our house? I worry about temperature shock going back outside (winter temps, mid-30s during the day, upper teens at night). Plus, he can fly, so windows are always a concern. But we have drapes we can pull.
3. How long should I wait until calling a vet? I'm tempted to call first thing tomorrow morning, but everything I've read about duck limping says to give them time.
4. Water therapy? I noticed when he was out at the pond he kept wanting to get out of the water to inspect his leg. I wonder if climbing into/out of a tub would negate any benefits of swimming. Plus: he can fly. So if he spooks and flies out, he has to land which would put more strain on his leg...
5. Has anyone given their ducks anti-inflammatory medications? Do you need special meds from a vet, or can you give them a ducky-dose of a human NSAID?
Does anyone have any advice, especially with mallards? They are a little different to deal with than domestics since their ability to fly adds a complication to medical care..
Thanks in advance!
