Duck attacked by raccoon

[Amiga]

Just thinking that when she leaves the nest is your best opportunity to snag her. At the very least, at first you need to see what is going on, and get something on the wound(s). See if you can get help. Call in some favors someone owes you.

 

[ForeverSunshine]

She's sitting by the creek bank now. I'm gonna be all gentle and slow, and try to check out her foot. Maybe, if I can see how bad it is before I go off trying to catch her. Is there a natural way to treat it? Like, Epsom salt or something? 'Cause I have some of that.

 

[nickie]

Been a busy day, but this is a thread I have been trying to get too... First priority (for me would be) catch her. I have a cayuga who is lightning fast and can fly about 3 feet so the only way I can catch him alone is while in the pen I herd him to a corner. My ducks herd well, slow and easy as I'm not a threat. Once he's in the corner I squat down with my arms out and ready to grab him on the ground or when he tries to fly. Do not grab a wing or a leg as it could cause more damage. I go for the body with one hand and the base of the neck with the other hand. Be prepared to be scratched up and hit with wings. Get a secure hold and examine.

If you find infection then treat with antibiotics. I use injectables for the ducks so I don't have to medicate an entire flock. Penn g intramuscular (cooler section of feed store). You need a 16 or 18 gauge needle, its thick. I believe, but please please double check my advice, the dosage is 1 to 1.5 cc daily for no more than 7 days. I toss eggs for minimum of 14 days after last dose.

 

[ForeverSunshine]

Awesome advice. My dad is off work for a bit, for I'm going to ask him to help me catch her. Kinda wish my mom had waited to let them out until I got up this morning, but with Charlotte being so protective, I don't think I'd be able to anyway. She's slow with her limp, but I don't want to go so fast that it hurts her leg more. I really wish I had been trying to hold them months ago. I didn't think I'd need to, and I didn't really want them following me around when I'm walking my duck-hungry dog. Looks like "good thinking" was bad this time.

 

[ForeverSunshine]

Thanks a billion everyone! Since me dad is helping me build a new duck house tomorrow (He said he would gladly buy me some wood. Best dad ever!) we're going to put them in there before we put on the roof so that I can snatch her in the pen. Then we'll inspect her, put on the roof, and my problems are solved. God is great and has fixed my problems over night. Turns out I'll have enough job time to support my animals over the summer, the duck house problem is solved, and so I have no doubt it'll turn out that her foot is absolutely fine! Maybe she's just a little sore.

Thanks you so much everyone! I'll use your advice!

 

[Amiga]

Yay!

Please be very diligent, and even a little pessimistic about her injuries, what I mean is don't miss something that you could have treated so that it becomes a worse problem. Being overcautious is not always a bad thing.

 

[nickie]

Yay!

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Please be very diligent, and even a little pessimistic about her injuries, what I mean is don't miss something that you could have treated so that it becomes a worse problem.  Being overcautious is not always a bad thing.

What she said.

 

[ForeverSunshine]

I'll try to be smart about it. Once I catch her, I'll ask and/or post pictures of her injuries to ask what you guys think. Not sure about pictures, but I'll try. Hopefully, tomorrow, I'll catch Alexis, and have a new duck house built.

 

[Amiga]

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[ForeverSunshine]

Okay, so, Charlotte decided to go for a swim this morning, therefore leaving the nest. She went out with all the others and I got Alexis in there by herself. I found that the problem isn't her leg. It's her foot. She has two bite marks, one in the middle of her foot (webbed area) and one of the left side (webbed). They don't look infected, but then, I didn't pick her up. I was about two feet away, so I didn't see the need to freak her out. I did get some pictures, but the camera's acting up, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to post them. She seems a LOT more steady on her feet now. Before she was really struggling, but now it's just a faint limp. I'm still worried, though. I don't know if there's an issue with her middle toe or not, but it seems almost.....Flat. Not broken, just flat. I've never really examined a duck foot before, but I don't really know if this is normal. Then there are still those two holes. Any quick healing ideas? Maybe something I can put int their water or spray on with a spray bottle that won't harm the others, including the eggs? I have a bit of Epsom salt, and I think someone on here said something about using vinegar? I have that too. Or maybe I should just keep it clean. Give me your opinion, please. I don't have ANY money to spend. So even if the solution is not perfect, I want it to help her.

Thanks!