Attacked duck -- not major but pls help

[Skye'sDucks]

Don’t have any advice but maybe a word of encouragement... I’ve had a lot of animal attacks over the years and although I’ve not had any chickens recover, I had 2 ducks that were attacked by a dog and it took about 3 weeks for them to recover but they are full blown now. Ducks are tough birds

Thank you, they are very hardy!

I fear that maybe the sound wasn't cleaned enough when it happened. Without proper cleaning, one is just applying sprays and ointment to poop and dirt, not to healthy tissue.

If it has a smell it could be infected, and infections like this can be life threatening.

I hope I cleaned it well enough...what can I do to make sure it is/isn't an infection?

 

[casportpony]

Thank you, they are very hardy!



I hope I cleaned it well enough...what can I do to make sure it is/isn't an infection?

When you first treated it, did you remove all dirt, debris, dead skin, and flush it with saline, chlorhexidine, or betadine?

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I removed dirt and debris, but I didn't flush it with anything.

 

[quackiemama]

I too can only offer words of encouragement and get well wishes for your duck. No experience here.

 

[casportpony]

I removed dirt and debris, but I didn't flush it with anything.

Initial cleaning of the wound is very important. So what do you want to do now?

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I understand, I want nothing more than to fix my mistakes and I'll definitely learn from this experience.

I don't know ...

 

[Miss Lydia]

K what advise do you have I haven't ever had to deal with any type of wound other than bumble foot so I am at a loss to know where to go from here.

@casportpony

 

[casportpony]

I guess if it were my duck I would start by accessing the current state of the wound. To do that I would want to get a good look at the wounds so I would pluck or trim the feathers about 1/2" from the wound edges. This is called "making a margin". When plucking, which is what I prefer, pluck in the direction the feathers grow, but be careful not to tear the skin while plucking. I know This sounds harsh, but it really does help in getting the wound cleaned and it will heal quicker if clean.

If any of the wounds smell you will need to re-clean them which means you will have to remove the scab, dead/infected tissue, etc.

Is this something you think you can do?

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Skye'sDucks

 

[Skye'sDucks]

Yes, I can do that. It may be a bit harder around the tail, but would you suggest me trying to pluck as much as I can around that wound, too? (It's right around the oil gland area if that helps) My mom is home now so I can have her help me keep him still.

Do you have any tips on how to remove the scab safely without hurting him further?