Dog Attack on Duck - Not Eating

[kcardella]

On Thanksgiving night, a neighbor's pitbull broke into my duck pen and killed all of my ducks except one - post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=271151

The lone survivor has been doing fairly well - she had one puncture wound that was not too deep, and several severe scrapes, one on her back and one under her right wing. I washed all of the wounds thoroughly and have been applying neosporin daily. I put electrolytes in her water. She has been eating and drinking OK until today. She is drinking, but has not eaten anything all day. I have tried tempting her with peas, watermelon, lettuce, scrambled eggs, and apple. She won't touch anything.

The wounds don't look infected. Could this be from the trauma, or could she be depressed from her trauma? I am really worried that she will just give up.

 

[matthewschickens]

Grind up some food and put it into her water and give it to her in a separate container.
See if that works.

Matthew

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I sent you a PM, I think we're in the same neighborhood. I'm so sorry this happened!

It's possible this duck has more internal injuries that are giving her trouble. Is she able to walk or swim? Maybe she wants more water to flush out her beak or to bathe her body in. Where are you keeping her? Maybe she can have a swim in the bathtub. Has she been pooping as much as she's eating? Continue to keep her comfortable in a quiet dark place and offer her food & water, when she's ready to eat she will.

Lord, please heal this duck!

 

[kcardella]

Thank you for the suggestions. Sunny_Side_Up - I pm'd you back. She is walking. I have not wanted to let her swim until her wounds close up a bit. Do you think it would do her good to sit in some water? She is in an open brooder box in the garage on some wood shaving with food and water. She is pooping, but it is off-color; a bright green rather than brownish.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Hmmm, I don't know for sure, maybe ask on the duck forum if it's safe for injured ducks to swim. I just wondered if she was pining for some water to splash & bathe in. If the tub & water are clean it shouldn't make her wounds worse & might perk her up to be in some water.

 

[kcardella]

Sunny_Side_Up, you are a genius! I filled up the tub, and she has been cleaning herself, splashing, and has even eaten several handfuls of peas and some lettuce I put in the water. Maybe it was just the pick-me-up she needed.

I will definitely be putting her in the tub for an hour or so daily - hopefully, this will help speed her recovery.

Thanks again!!

 

[froggie71]

When we had an injured drake who wouldn't eat, I put him in the tub with a bit of water and added his favorite treat (tomatoes) to the running water. The running water seemed to perk him up and he finally started eating after that. I'm glad to hear your duck had a good time in the tub! Hope she recovers quickly.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

You're very welcome, thank you for the compliment but it must have been Divine Inspiration. I feel my knowledge is most limited in this section of the forum but I opened your post because I recognized your screen name. I just know how very much my ducks enjoy splashing in their pool & wondered if that was what your duck was missing. I hope & pray she is continuing to recover.