EMERGENCY!! DUCK BIT BY SNAKE!

[AnjKar n Ducks]

I agree that it's a snake bite and sadly I'm pretty sure it bit her eye. If she ever recovers from this I doubt she will have both eyes.

I'm so sorry I feel bad, hope she makes it through the night

 

[purslanegarden]

I guess it would have to be some kind snake whose venom isn't exactly killing her within minutes or hours. Hope she makes it!

I've had other birds that lost an eye or at least just had a swollen eye/shut eyelid for a while (due to normal bird bullying). As long as the others don't take advantage and hurt her more, she should be able to live and function fine with one eye.

 

[lillyrosesmum]

Just checked on her and she seems to be doing OK. Still breathing and seems to be fighting me more than before. She's a runner so she's not a huge fan of being touched. We are giving her water with a dropper. She isn't eating and drinking on her own though. She just standing with her neck tucked in. I hope she's still alive when I wake up in a few hours to check on her again.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Poor baby! I know you said you free range and that's risks we take, but you said you went out in the morning to feed and she was like that? Are they not locked up at night in a secure duck house/pen? They really need security at night cuz they are literally sitting ducks then... otherwise eventually predators will find them, duck is a favorite menu item...

Hope she recovers... @Amiga any suggestions on how to help this duck??

 

[Amiga]

A vet would absolutely be the best thing - there's going to be some pain.

Keep her as quiet and as comfortably cool as possible. Turmeric stains, but it is somewhat anti-inflammatory so I'd put some of that (a teaspoon per pint) in her water.

Marjory Wildcraft wrote a story about how she treated a copperhead bite on her foot:

Poultice made from plantain and-or cabbage and-or prickly pear cactus (be careful you must know how to handle it to avoid hurting yourself - you must slice the cactus pad open and scoop out the middle for the poultice).

There can be some cell damage, so be prepared for infection - I hope she makes it through so that you can be concerned for that.

 

[lillyrosesmum]

My husband lets them out when he leaves for work and my kid feeds them. Its a responsibility thing because shes only 4. Baby is doing much better today. Eating, drinking, and calling out to her sisters outside! Her swelling is way down and we are giving her antibiotics, keeping her wound clean and just letting her heal.

 

[Amiga]

Excellent news!!!

 

[lillyrosesmum]

She now only has swelling on one side of her face. I looked closely at her eye tonight and I'm pretty sure it's still there!! She might not be blind after all! She's drinking plenty of water with electrolytes and eating a little. I'm keeping a close eye on her and hoping she makes a full recovery. when do you think is a good time to let her back outside?

 

[Ravynscroft]

Great news!!

Sorry for asking about nighttime lockup, it's a worry we all have...

I'd keep her in until she's close to 100%... might want to see if you can get some Terramycin ointment for her eye just as a precaution in case the swelling pushes anything into her eye... great job!!

 

[Amiga]

Ditto RavynFallen.