Duck Attacked by wildlife. Open wound and loss of neck mobility. Please help!

[Whiiit6]

My duck (about 2 months old) was attacked 4 days ago by wildlife.
The back of her neck has been skinned with some bone and tendons exposed. Day 1: gently cleaned with water and hydrogen peroxide. Day 2: TSC gave me Nolvasan Scented Disinfectant to clean the wound after diluting (later realized it’s for equipment, but was told to use it anyway.) Put her in bath to rinse, then TSC gave me Scarlex spray, (for horses and ponies.) Day 3: bath and scarlex. Day 4: nolvasan and bath.

There is a small hole in skull on side of head that looks like it’s suposed to be there. I believe maggots were flushed out of it after first bath but I’m not sure. Haven’t seen them since.
She is drinking, but with assistance because she is unable to lift her head off of her chest. She is able to move her lower neck so she uses that movement to tilt her head back. I can’t check for a break without touching the wound.
She is not eating, so I’ve been sprinkling mealworms and poultry treats on top of her water but she gets fussy about it and won’t always drink it.
She is inside in a cage with towel and water. I sleep on the couch and she wakes me up to drink throughout the night. She is lethargic but is able to walk and stretch her wings. I take her outside in cage once a day to see her flock in order to raise her spirits and to get them used to the way she looks. They seem to recognize her and 4/8 laid down with her outside her cage today. Wounds and missing feathers under wings but that should be easy enough to heal.

I’m concerned about: keeping deep head wound clean, maggot removal/prevention, how to keep her nourished while she’s not eating, and how to find out what’s wrong with her neck and treat it.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Hi @Whiiit6, Goodmorning,

Autsj that doesn’t look good te me.

- Are you able to take her to a vet instead of TSC?
- Where do you live? If you don’t know a vet in your area, people on this forum might know.
- Can you make pictures in better light from the wounds?
- Do you know at all if her skull is intact and this is all an infection, or could there have been an involuntary craniotomy?
- And if it‘s possible and not to stressful for you duck can you make a video of the movements She can and cannot make? This is not absolutely needed at this point and don’t make the video (yet) if you have to bring discomfort for your duck.

I’m so sorry for this sweet Ducky.
Since it‘s night time in the USA the response will probably follow later than you’d like.
I’m tagging some heavyweights already so they will see your question sooner hopefully.
@casportpony @Wyorp Rock @Isaac 0

In the mean time, keep your duck safe and comfy with acces to water.
Take care and keep us updated!

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry to hear about your duck!



I will say there are some serious problems that need to be addressed as quickly and efficiently as possible or else the likelihood of your duck surviving will be very grim, I say that because she isn't eating and I'm sure not drinking as much as she should be. That said, if you can take her to a vet, please do so.

I think as far as the wound goes, with mine, I would probably either slather on an antibacterial ointment like Neosporin, or spray an antibacterial spray on the wound like Vetericyn. I don't think I would use the hydrogen peroxide again with her. If you think she has maggots/egg on the wound you can flush with some homemade saline or something like chlorhexidine, but when they're in such critical condition its best to minimize handling as much as possible so do only what's needed with her. The hole you see on the side of her head is most likely her ear.

Keep her in a dimly lit area that's away from flies, and other birds, as far as the temperature, we usually recommend 80/85F with sick/injured birds, but with her, I might keep it slightly cooler to reduce any edema that may going on. If you notice she begins to stick her neck more tightly with her body, or fluffs up more you should probably raise the temperature back up. Continue to closely monitor the wound.

If she isn't eating, and probably not drinking as much you'll need to start tube feeding her. Just let us know, and we can tell you what you're going to need.

 

[Whiiit6]

@Isaac 0 Thank you both! The closest avian vet is 2 hours away and they won’t talk to me without an appointment. I’m not sure having her in the car for that long is the best thing? Trying to figure this out at home, especially since she’s behaving so well.

Today is day 5 and she took her first bite of grain, which was exciting! I’m not sure she swallowed much of it but she’s trying now which is new. And I make sure to offer water every 1/2 hour or so and she takes pretty long drinks every time so I think she’s at least decently hydrated. Her poop is mostly water, or this weird light blue/green color. Do we know what that is? I do believe her skull is intact but wondering about torn ligaments that would prevent her from lifting her head.
Any info on tube feeding at home would be very much welcomed, and I’ll try to get a video in better lighting.

 

[Isaac 0]

Could you post a picture of her poop? Do you have antibiotics on hand, if so what?

 

[Stipenvlerk]

2 hrs will be a long drive in this condition I’m sure!
The video is not absolutely needed. Her comfort comes first. Pictures of the Nek wound might come in handy since she can’t lift her head

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Could you post a picture of her poop? Do you have antibiotics on hand, if so what?

Listen to Isaac he is very experienced with taking care of ducks

 

[Isaac 0]

You'll nee the following for tube feeding,

FEED,

https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Exact-Hand-Feeding-Birds/dp/B0002DGJH8

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/kaytee-bird-exact-handfeeding

https://www.chewy.com/kaytee-exact-hand-feeding-formula/dp/122554

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kaytee-Exact-Hand-Feeding-Formula-Baby-Bird-Food-7-5-oz/22133512



SYRINGE’S

https://www.amazon.com/BDTM-2oz-60ml-Syringe-Catheter-309620/dp/B0098BFJ5I

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-60cc-syringe-with-catheter-tip



TUBE’S

https://www.squirrelsandmore.com/products/feeding-tubes-and-catheters-red-rubber

https://greatmedicalsupplies.com/supply~Rusch+(RU)~rusch-30-fr-all-purpose-robinsonnelaton-catheter-351030

https://greatmedicalsupplies.com/su...l-purpose-robinsonnelaton-catheter-351024.htm



You'll need some feed, Kaytee exact handing feeding formula is great, and either a 35/60ml syringe, and lastly a tube to stick down her throat. Now it would be best if you could get a catheter, you could try contacting your vet for one, try a medical store, or maybe a wildlife rehabilitator. If you can't find it anywhere you can go to your local pet store, and pick up some aquarium fish tubing. You'll also need a food scale to weigh her on.

Size 28/30 tubing works great for feed, and for liquid medications/water I use a 20. That's my personal preference.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-q-and-a.1215032/

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

 

[Whiiit6]

So... after some contemplation today, I’m trying to convince myself to put her down. She’s been in poor spirits all day long, and is now feeling bothered when I offer water, which wasn’t the case before. I’m also coming to terms with the fact that her neck mobility probably won’t come back and she therefore won’t be able to preen which will make for an uncomfortable and frustrating life. If I could get her to a vet, or even just be home with her 24/7, it might be a different story, but at this point, she refuses to let anyone else help her drink, so she goes 6+ hours without drinking during the week. Thoughts?

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry!

That's why you need a tube, so you can get fluids/feed inside her. Of course, it's your decision what you want to do with her, so use your best judgement, and we'll support your decision.

If she isn't tube fed soon, she'll likely pass.