Duck has rash on its bill. PLEASE HELP

[Meganyoung]

My 4 year old Cayuga Duck developed a rash on her bill around 6 months ago. Since winter, it has gotten worse. I’m not sure what to do or how to help her. It doesn’t seem like she is in pain, but I’d like to clear it up if I can. Please help!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! Is a vet an option?

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony Could this be fungus?

 

[casportpony]

@casportpony Could this be fungus?

It could be, but to be honest, I have never seen anything like this in my flock.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I don’t have ducks. My first thought was fungus too. Does athletes foot cream work on ducks?

 

[Miss Lydia]

About the only way any topical cream or ointment would work is to put it on right before being closed up for the night and not putting water or feed inside with him. Or he would just wash it off. Might try adding some ACV to his bucket of water 1-2 Tab to a gallon of water and @casportpony should she get some antifungal ointment? Unless a vet is an option.

 

[Meganyoung]

I don’t have any vets near me who work with ducks. I have sent out messages to multiple vets to see if they can help. I’m not against taking her in to be seen, but they haven’t been able to help her with other medical problems in the past. I am hoping to have a back up plan for if they can’t.

 

[Fishkeeper]

An antifungal is worth a try. What does it feel like? Does it feel like a layer of something over the bill, or the same material as the bill? Is it soft?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Then I would think you’ll have to be like most of the rest of us and be your own vet and try things until something works. ACV in drinking water. Antifungal ointment or cream. Not sure which one.

 

[littlepip]

have you noticed it progressively getting worse, or did it show up overnight? it looks a bit like a fungus...I would say the same as @Miss Lydia.
other than that, my ducks had something like a rash in the summertime. it cleared up on its own pretty fast. unless you notice the duck scratching at its bill or shaking its head a lot (a sign of discomfort), you should be good as long as you keep an eye on it.