While I was in the barn getting hay for the horses something attacked my duck. It happened within 10-15 minutes, that is how long it took me to get back outside to find my duck on his back with a patch of skin peeled away from his chest, and then found a hunk of feathers pulled from his tail end. I thought he was dead at first, but he is not. His wings are not broken nor are his legs.....I want to try and save him. What can I NOT put on his wounds? I remember reading that there is something in common antibiotics cream that is toxic, I need to know what that is asap. I have plenty of ointment for horses and and just afraid to use anything. I am trying to search and am coming up empty handed.....I will continue to still search here but if anyone has the link to the what to and what NOT to do for duck wounds I;d be greatly appreciated! And if anyone wants to send along well wished to Benjamin please do so....I am afraid he might need it!
Being on the other side of the world- I really cant recommend brand names of anything to use/ not to use- but I just wanted to say apart from keeping the area clean- make sure it can drain- it could be very difficult to cure any infection since ducks have pus that is almost cottage cheese like in texture- do it doesnt drain like in humans. Benjamin is gorgeous- I really do hope he pulls through for you. It might be best to keep him away from the others for a while- in an area where he can be kept calm - watch for signs of going into shock as well.
You want triple antibiotic ointment, without pain killer eg. Lidocaine, is bad for poultry. You can give aspirin crushed up for pain. You can put bluecote on any raw areas , clean with saline or betadyne. Electrolytes, and vitamins in the water, maybe sugar as well for energy. Feed high protein for healing. Keep the bird warm to help with the shock. Good luck, sorry your duck got hurt . Oh, and I would treat with oral or injectible antibiotics you can get at the feed store to help prevent infection.
Thanks for the replies.....but I am sorry to say that Benjamin did not make it. It is heartbreaking. Hubby and I struggled with if we should help him pass or if he was going to pull through. I feel awful we did not help him pass sooner..... This is my first injured duck so I had no clue what signs to look for (not sure I now now either). The wounds were bad, but I have seen far worse here on the board and they pulled through so, we had hope.....but it was for not... God Speed my sweet Benjamin!
So sorry about your duck he was adorable. Not that I have anything to add as the other post was very thorough, but I have had Muscovy ducks for years and have had one or two injured. it is usually the shock that kills them unfortunately. they are very sensitive that way. I had one Drake who fought a raccoon to try and save a duckling, poor brave soul. I was devastated and so I feel for you. they are lovely creatures. I'm glad for Benjamin that he had someone who loved him so much. take care.
So sorry, we lost a male Magpie to a nightime predator - probably a coon, that managed to break into their housing a couple of months ago. Your Benjamin reminds me of our Mr. Bill who we still miss a lot. Whatever it was, also left a nasty gash on the female Magpie's neck, but we were able to pull her through. I know it's too late for your guy, but for reference we used something called Vetericyn Wound & Infection Treatment after thoroughly cleaning her wounds. I think it is used on horses as well and it is expensive, but she healed very nicely and quickly. Do you have any idea what got him in daylight like that? I would definitely be on the lookout for another possible attack.
So sorry for your loss. I just recently lost a duck after a dog attack. Her wounds did not seem to be very threatening, but alas the one small puncture that I thought was the least of her concerns turned out to be a puncture into her lung. I couldn't keep her still enough to heal the wound and her lung collapsed after about a week. RIP Benjamin.
