Duck attacked by raccoon

[ForeverSunshine]

My sweet Alexis got attacked by a raccoon, like, a week ago. At 4 in the morning, my mom heard them quaking up a storm, so she went outside to check on them and this huge raccoon was in their pen, eating eggs. She got my brother who shot it before it could hurt any of them too bad, but not before it realized duck tasted better than eggs. It had Alexis in it's mouth right before he shot it.

She walks with a bad limp now, and I'm worried sick. I usually just leave them alone, and I got them when they were 3 months old, so they won't let me pick them up. They'll eat grain from my hand, but no touching. Therefore, she won't let me pick her up to see how bad she's hurt. I don't know what to do.

I don't have money for a vet bill, or trust me, he'd have seen her already. Mostly she just sits by the creek bank while the others scrounge around or swim.

The house is fixed, so no more attacks, but the damage is already done. Any advice? Thanks!

~ForeverSunshine

 

[Amiga]

Alexis probably has a serious infection from the wound. Somehow, probably with help, you need to get ahold of her and give her antibiotics and also look closely at the wound and see if it needs help draining.

She needs to be separated into an area where you can give her extra vitamins, apple cider vinegar in her water, and medicine.

Not easy, but she may be more cooperative than you expect if she is ill and understands you are trying to help.

See if you can find some topics about antibiotics and how to use them. I have not yet had to do that in my flock, any more than a topical ointment. But there are some knowledgeable folks here. The Emergency forum may also be a good place to start.

Feed stores often sell antibiotics, by the way.

 

[ForeverSunshine]

Thank you for the advice. I'm going to do some research and try to get a a hold of her today. If it doesn't look like it's infected, should I still treat her with something?

 

[Going Quackers]

I'm sorry! we had two of ours caught by a raccoon when we first began .. it reached through the chain link.. the one only got scratched the other had a large flesh wound, thankfully it was unable to penetrate the pen.

We brought the injured one in the house and kept the wound clean(we also have wunderdust here, it's a horse wound treatment) and ensured it had plenty of feed/water.. no vet would look at it up here only offered to put it down if needed.

Duck did lose an eye but went on to grow up an overall healthy bird. Good luck, hopefully the bird will pull through with minimal long term effects.

 

[Amiga]

Thanks Going Quackers,

It's good to hear from someone who has been through it.

 

[ChristineR]

My friend's duck was attacked by a raccoon through the pen fence, too. She took her to the vet, where the wound was cleaned and stitched up. I think your main concerns are infection and flies (maggots).

You really do need to catch her to see what's going on. Look at the wound to access the damage. If possible, take pics and post them here so we can see.

You'll need to keep the wound clean and keep the flies off it or they'll lay eggs in it and you will end up dealing with maggots in it.

If you can't bring her in the house, you'll need to put something on the area to repel flies, like SWAT. Here's a link to it:
http://www.amazon.com/Swat-fly-Repellent-Ointment-6oz/dp/B00061MSIA

Try soaking the leg in Epsom salts and then apply the repellent.

If this happened a week ago, it could be infected, too. Your local feed store probably carries antibiotics, but they won't be labeled for ducks. Maybe someone else can help you out with what to use and the dosage.

Good luck and sorry about your duck.

 

[ForeverSunshine]

Thanks for replying! It's awesome, getting advice from someone who has done this. So happy your bird pulled through. If I can only get the little booger, I'll check out her foot. She's a little extra weary of her predators now, so it'll be a challenge.

 

[ForeverSunshine]

Thanks for the advice! If it weren't for Charlotte hissing and snapping in protection of her eggs everytime I walk past the pen, I'd catch her in there, but that might do more harm than good........Any ideas on how to catch her?

 

[Amiga]

Does she take meal breaks?

 

[ForeverSunshine]

Well, yes and no. They are free roam, so they walk all around through the cow and horse pens, two big fields and the creek. They eat all the time, but it's wild stuff like bugs and seeds and fish and such.