Duck attacked by a raccoon

[Martrnn]

Hi guys. An hour ago my 8 week old Muscovy was attacked by a raccoon. I ran out and kicked the hell out of it but it got away. My duck has a small hole in its head but is however conscious. I cleaned the wound and ran warm saline water over the wound. He is however too weak to stand or drink/eat. He’s not even strong enough to lift his head. One of his eye is fully shut and the other one is halfway open but he’s still breathing. What can I do?
Thanks

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Sorry to hear that. Keep him isolated in a warm area, maybe even provide a heat lamp. He's most likely in shock.
Can you post pics of the injuries?

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Poor baby, fingers crossed for healing. I am not terribly experienced with injury care but I'm hoping this will bump the thread for notice.

My input: how was the raccoon able to attack? What is your predator proofing/coop setup? Consider reaching out to a licensed state trapper to help further dispatch - that raccoon may return.

Best wishes little ducky

 

[Martrnn]

Sorry to hear that. Keep him isolated in a warm area, maybe even provide a heat lamp. He's most likely in shock.
Can you post pics of the injuries?

 

[Martrnn]

Poor baby, fingers crossed for healing. I am not terribly experienced with injury care but I'm hoping this will bump the thread for notice.

My input: how was the raccoon able to attack? What is your predator proofing/coop setup? Consider reaching out to a licensed state trapper to help further dispatch - that raccoon may return.

Best wishes little ducky

I was playing outside with it but went inside to get some food. Usually my ducks would stay inside with me.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I would get some nutri-drench and vetrycin spray. Nutri-drench will help his energy levels. You need to check the wounds to see how deep they are. Also, he might have a neck injury.

@Miss Lydia
@Quatie
@AstroDuck

 

[Martrnn]

I would get some nutri-drench and vetrycin spray. Nutri-drench will help his energy levels. You need to check the wounds to see how deep they are. Also, he might have a neck injury.

@Miss Lydia
@Quatie
@AstroDuck

Thank you for the help. Right now it is just lying down and breathing. Is he just weak and tired?

 

[Quatie]

So sorry to hear about your duck. If you don't have tube feeding supplies, I would recommend getting them. Sometimes the shock or stress stop ducks from eating and drinking. The injury may also may make it harder for the duck to eat and drink enough. The ducks can heal from some bad injuries, but if they refuse to eat and drink they will die from dehydration instead. Tube feeding can help get them through these challenging times. The supplies can be difficult to find some time, so it is best to look asap.

Here is links on how to tube feed.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-ducks-updated-5-7-2020.1211994/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/

You can apply bacatracin or triple antiseptic ointment to wound, just make sure it doesn't contain pain relief.

You can also get a antibiotic like enrofloxacin. You don't need a prescription for it. You may not need to treat with it, but it can take time to ship. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, so it can used to treat other bacterial ailments.

https://allbirdproducts.com/products/enrofloxacin-10

 

[Martrnn]

So sorry to hear about your duck. If you don't have tube feeding supplies, I would recommend getting them. Sometimes the shock or stress stop ducks from eating and drinking. The injury may also may make it harder for the duck to eat and drink enough. The ducks can heal from some bad injuries, but if they refuse to eat and drink they will die from dehydration instead. Tube feeding can help get them through these challenging times. The supplies can be difficult to find some time, so it is best to look asap.

Here is links on how to tube feed.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-ducks-updated-5-7-2020.1211994/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/

You can apply bacatracin or triple antiseptic ointment to wound, just make sure it doesn't contain pain relief.

You can also get a antibiotic like enrofloxacin. You don't need a prescription for it. You may not need to treat with it, but it can take time to ship. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, so it can used to treat other bacterial ailments.

https://allbirdproducts.com/products/enrofloxacin-10

Thanks so much for the help. Most stores are closed right now so I’m trying to make use with what I have. I have some amoxicillin in hand. Could I try giving it some of that?

 

[Miss Lydia]

How is your little Muscovy this morning @Martrnn ? Hopefully shock is wearing off. While in shock its best to just let it rest, keep warm and have food and water close by but don't force anything. Once shock wears off as long as there aren't serious injuries the duckling should begin to drink and eat. it sure doesn't hurt to give an antibiotic since bite wounds carry alot of bacteria.