Ducks attacked by dog

[Pweetyhonks]

Hi,

My 9 month old babies were attacked today by a dog that got into our garden from a hole in the neighbours fence. My drake runner was so badly injured (could see his neck bone) we took him to the vet hospital to be put down. My lovely lady Pekin has wounds on her back and tummy and other places, not down to the bone but still nasty. She was sat in the pond so I took her out and wrapped her in a towel and waited until the car came to take her to the vet. She was trying to nibble at things, was responsive to me and tried to walk but could only stand on one leg. We got her in surgery within an hour of her being attacked and they have given her antibiotics and cleaned the wounds. Basically only time will tell at this point if the wounds will heal and if she gets infected. I am bringing her home in an hour and a half. I have a disinfected box ready for her, disinfected water and food bowl and towels and a heat lamp. I will sit with her for the next 48 hours, keep talking to her etc.

My question to you guys, have any of you been through this? How bad was it? Any tips?

My drake died trying to save her, he was a good duck and I will miss him dearly.

 

[Odelia]

Sorry for your loss. I hope she makes it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Given a chance to over come some awful attacks ducks are amazing how well they can come back, so very sorry for the loss of your Runner drake.

Getting your duck to the vet and having her wounds cleaned was a great start to her recovery, I'm sure your vet will have lots of info for you on what to do and how to help her heal, shock is really hard on them and the loss of her mate too. Just love her and care for her and hopefully she'll heal. Please keep us updated.

Do you know who's dog it was? you need to speak with the owners they should be responsible for the vet bills. and fixing your fence.

 

[starbird]

Document everything. Call animal control or the police. Tell the dogs owner they are responsible for their dog and liable for its actions.

 

[Pweetyhonks]

I got her back about an hour ago, she is putting all her weight on one leg because she has a big wound on her belly. She stood like this for a while then sat down, her heart is beating very fast but she is drinking lots of water and is responsive.
She is heavy breathing but calm. Apparently at the vets she was friendly and was trying to walk around. She didn't want food but a moment ago I waved some Kale in front of her beak and she pecked at it which is a good sign. So she is now lying down in a dark room on a towel, still leaning to one side because her belly must be very sore. She has access to food and water and I will stay by her side and keep talking to her so she knows shes not alone.
Tomorrow I have to give her antibiotics and pain killers orally with a syringe. I will keep an eye on her wounds to make sure they don't look like they are getting worse and if they are okay, the vet will see her again on Monday. If they start to look weird I can call them at any time. I'm lucky I live 5 mins away from a Veterinary hospital who have always answered my silly questions about my ducks in the past.

The owner of the dog was distraught, she was in tears and was apologizing and offered her number. At the time we just needed to go to the vet so we left and she was gone when we got home which is understandable. The vet bill came to £227 which is expensive but we can manage. I think everyone thinks we are mad for trying to save a duck but I have had her from egg and I think you guys can understand why I chose to give her a chance at being saved.

I'll keep you updated, keep your fingers crossed for her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I got her back about an hour ago, she is putting all her weight on one leg because she has a big wound on her belly. She stood like this for a while then sat down, her heart is beating very fast but she is drinking lots of water and is responsive.
She is heavy breathing but calm. Apparently at the vets she was friendly and was trying to walk around. She didn't want food but a moment ago I waved some Kale in front of her beak and she pecked at it which is a good sign. So she is now lying down in a dark room on a towel, still leaning to one side because her belly must be very sore. She has access to food and water and I will stay by her side and keep talking to her so she knows shes not alone.
Tomorrow I have to give her antibiotics and pain killers orally with a syringe. I will keep an eye on her wounds to make sure they don't look like they are getting worse and if they are okay, the vet will see her again on Monday. If they start to look weird I can call them at any time. I'm lucky I live 5 mins away from a Veterinary hospital who have always answered my silly questions about my ducks in the past.

The owner of the dog was distraught, she was in tears and was apologizing and offered her number. At the time we just needed to go to the vet so we left and she was gone when we got home which is understandable. The vet bill came to £227 which is expensive but we can manage. I think everyone thinks we are mad for trying to save a duck but I have had her from egg and I think you guys can understand why I chose to give her a chance at being saved.

I'll keep you updated, keep your fingers crossed for her.

Sure hoping she pulls through this ordeal. She is very blessed to have you as her caretaker, I don't think your mad at all. and to be so close to medical help. Please keep us updated.

 

[Kountrybumpkin]

Sorry about your baby. I also had a dog encounter with my ducks and unfortunately your's had a happier ending than mine. I live in the country and free range my ducks in the daytime. The neighbor's dog came down a steep hill, into my yard and took one of my rouen drakes. I didn't know he was missing until evening chores when I went out to feed and tuck them in for night. I searched and searched but didn't even consider my neighbor to the West given the hill situation. The guy came to my house at 11:00 pm asking if I had ducks because there was a wounder one in his yard hissing at him. I drove to their house and found him in dire straights. Given the hour of day and his circumstances, I chose to dispose of him as it was the best for him. He is buried in my back yard. The pen doesn't seem the same

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry about your baby. I also had a dog encounter with my ducks and unfortunately your's had a happier ending than mine. I live in the country and free range my ducks in the daytime. The neighbor's dog came down a steep hill, into my yard and took one of my rouen drakes. I didn't know he was missing until evening chores when I went out to feed and tuck them in for night. I searched and searched but didn't even consider my neighbor to the West given the hill situation. The guy came to my house at 11:00 pm asking if I had ducks because there was a wounder one in his yard hissing at him. I drove to their house and found him in dire straights. Given the hour of day and his circumstances, I chose to dispose of him as it was the best for him. He is buried in my back yard. The pen doesn't seem the same

Very sorry to hear about your drake, I hope your neighbor is keeping his dog penned up now. and your ducks are safe. and

 

[Pweetyhonks]

Sorry about your baby. I also had a dog encounter with my ducks and unfortunately your's had a happier ending than mine. I live in the country and free range my ducks in the daytime. The neighbor's dog came down a steep hill, into my yard and took one of my rouen drakes. I didn't know he was missing until evening chores when I went out to feed and tuck them in for night. I searched and searched but didn't even consider my neighbor to the West given the hill situation. The guy came to my house at 11:00 pm asking if I had ducks because there was a wounder one in his yard hissing at him. I drove to their house and found him in dire straights. Given the hour of day and his circumstances, I chose to dispose of him as it was the best for him. He is buried in my back yard. The pen doesn't seem the same

Thats so sad, my ducks were also free range, and I'm lucky that I was home to find them both within minutes so that I could put the drake down so he didn't suffer for too long (his back and neck was fully exposed) and so I could get her on antibiotics and stitched up ASAP.

Quick question if anyone knows the answer. She is laying at the moment, normally at about 1am. What will happen to todays egg, she was attacked at about 12pm? Will she still lay one? I obviously don't expect her to be laying for a while but was just curious about the one that was probably already forming today.

 

[Kountrybumpkin]

My ducks are safe only because I no longer let them out unless I am in the yard gardening and can keep an eye on them, they follow me like puppies so that isn't hard to do. The frustrating part is that the neighbor offered no remorse over the whole thing and I can currently track their dog onto my property through the snow on a nightly basis. Animal control will do nothing as I've reported another dog at large before and they were of no help. They are so backwards there that they sent the officer to my home and left a threatening note for me to keep my animal locked up or face an infraction. Needless to say they got a heated call from me. In my town we have to deal with things on our own and as devastating of a loss it was, trying to keep a decent relationship with my neighbors is more critical in my opinion.