Duck has scratched his neck raw!

[Bubbles & Nibbles Mom]

We live on property with kids and their ducks. We have a couple geese and wound up being primary caretaker of the flock. Think the kids thought it would be fun to have ducks and eggs until once the novelty wore off .

They took this little Runner in to vet a few months back when he first scratched his neck. The Vet found no reason for him to be doing it. He has been given all kinds if meds for mites, worms, antibiotics, wrapping his neck, etc. He always goes back to scratching obsessively. We have concluded it is neurotic. He will be running along and just stop to scratch and then keep going.

He is staying separate from flock past couple days along the fence line with his head tucked. He doesnt try to run off. He is raw on one side (can see his little ear) and bloody on the other. We nicknamed him scarface. Worried he is suffering. I almost feel as if he should be put out of his misery. Rest of flock is healthy.

Anyone else ever hear or have experience with this?

 

[Bubbles & Nibbles Mom]

He is the white and buff runner to the right of goose. On left side of page for us. The one on left of goose (right side of page) is healthy one. Notice that the unhealthy guy also has no tail feathers. This was taken last week.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you watched to see if anyone is singling him out and picking on him? maybe causing undo stress which maybe causing the scratching?
Is anything being put on his wounds now you could try rinsing in warm salty water then applying some type of antibiotic salve over, him Has he been tested for bacteria infection? skin scraping? Fungus infection. I feel so bad for him he must be miserable but may still be some hope. Is he eating and drinking okay ever noticed him being bullied out of feed bowls?

 

[Bubbles & Nibbles Mom]

Hi Miss Lydia. Scarface initially eas tested for all the above and the vet wrote it off as neurotic behavior. He was given antibiotics but never got better. We had hoped he would outgrow this phase, maybe it was itchy feathers growing in and even cut his nails.

He is usually first at feed dish and when handing out treats. However he has always been shy about getting in water unless you put him in. We have 2 black runners that are kind of bullies at times. I wonder if they traumatized him?

I washed his sores, put antibiotic on them, wrapped his neck up with gauze and he drabk some water. The kids are going to keep him in tonight. He is such a sweet lil guy.

 

[chickens really]

Could you try an antihistamine ?...I'm not sure of the dose though ?...
Best of luck....
@Pyxis might know?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope you can get him over this. Runners are nervous types to begin with and if 2 are picking on him that could have started it. No way to know for sure but drakes can be relentless on each other and what sex are the 2 blks? and scarface is a drake? My Runners are my stick together as one here but I only have 1 Runner drake I learned with my Muscovy's too may drakes ruins a flock.

Please keep us updated on how he is doing. I was wondering if small amount of Benedryl just to break the cycle I am not sure on dose either maybe @casportpony would be able to help.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

He is the white and buff runner to the right of goose. On left side of page for us. The one on left of goose (right side of page) is healthy one. Notice that the unhealthy guy also has no tail feathers. This was taken last week.

How old is he? How long has he been doing it?

 

[sourland]

Has he ever been treated with an anti fungal ointment ? If antibiotics haven't worked, that would be my next treatment.

 

[casportpony]

Can you tell us the names and doses of all drugs given so far?

 

[casportpony]

I hope you can get him over this. Runners are nervous types to begin with and if 2 are picking on him that could have started it. No way to know for sure but drakes can be relentless on each other and what sex are the 2 blks? and scarface is a drake? My Runners are my stick together as one here but I only have 1 Runner drake I learned with my Muscovy's too may drakes ruins a flock.

Please keep us updated on how he is doing. I was wondering if small amount of Benedryl just to break the cycle I am not sure on dose either maybe @casportpony would be able to help.

It could be used, but I have to look up the dose.