EMERGENCY! Ducks leg ripped off

[orrlux]

I’m currently scrambling to find a vet, as well as slowing the bleeding.

I walked out to let my ducks out of the cage this morning and one has a leg ripped clean off. She seems pretty calm and quiet. However, the skin and muscle is exposed and bleeding. What can I do? I want to save her, but all the vets in my town are turning me away.

 

[orrlux]

@BelovedBirds , @casportpony:

Thank you for y’all’s responses! I’m thankful for a community like this in a time of need. I should’ve took pictures of the wound, but i was so frazzled i didn’t take the time to.

Yes the leg was ripped clean off the body, there’s no remnants left.

Here’s the current update: all vets turned me away, apparently none “do farm animals or poultry”. Miraculously, as a last attempt, i stopped by my local farm supply and feed store and asked if they knew anyone that could help. The sweet girl working said they didn’t know anyone, but she went to vet tech school and had some supplies to bandage my bird up. Bandit is all wrapped and cleaned up, and she sent us home with some of her supplies and some vitamin mix to put in her water to help after the blood loss. We were very grateful for her help!!

As of right now we’re unclear as of how we’re going to move forward with the one-leg issue, but she’s wrapped up and resting for now.

 

[orrlux]

I'll leave this emergency to @casportpony she has much more knowledge about this sort of injury. I hope she survives

Some predator must have reached in and tried to pull your duck through fencing? Is this correct @orrlux? most likely a Raccoon. They are notorious for this type of injury.

Yes, I’m not sure what kind of animal but I’m sure it’s a raccoon. We’ve had our bad luck with them We thought we fool-proofed the cage but when i checked the cage it looks like they snagged her leg from a little hole underneath the cage. She managed to drag herself away because she was sitting in the middle of the cage this morning.

 

[BelovedBirds]

How is she doing today? Any update?

 

[Ourgosling22]

@BelovedBirds , @casportpony:

Thank you for y’all’s responses! I’m thankful for a community like this in a time of need. I should’ve took pictures of the wound, but i was so frazzled i didn’t take the time to.

Yes the leg was ripped clean off the body, there’s no remnants left.

Here’s the current update: all vets turned me away, apparently none “do farm animals or poultry”. Miraculously, as a last attempt, i stopped by my local farm supply and feed store and asked if they knew anyone that could help. The sweet girl working said they didn’t know anyone, but she went to vet tech school and had some supplies to bandage my bird up. Bandit is all wrapped and cleaned up, and she sent us home with some of her supplies and some vitamin mix to put in her water to help after the blood loss. We were very grateful for her help!!

As of right now we’re unclear as of how we’re going to move forward with the one-leg issue, but she’s wrapped up and resting for now.

How is your duck doing?

 

[Callender Girl]

A couple of things that have worked for me: 1) the vet who takes care of my dogs and cats has, in emergencies, provided pain meds -- usually Meloxicam, which is an anti-inflammatory that can be used for ducks; 2) before I found my avian vet, I've called on Iowa State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital when I desperately needed help,

I've never had a duck lose a leg. I have had a duck who suffered severe nerve damage and who dragged her leg behind her for the rest of her life. I don't know how your duck could or would function with one leg.

Best wishes for your girl. Keep us posted, please.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'll leave this emergency to @casportpony she has much more knowledge about this sort of injury. I hope she survives

Some predator must have reached in and tried to pull your duck through fencing? Is this correct @orrlux? most likely a Raccoon. They are notorious for this type of injury.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Completely wrapped in hardware cloth is the only thing that will keep predators out. That is so sad I sure hope she can recover. There used to be a member from another country that was here on BYC she talked about a one legged wild mallard that was at the canal where she lived, so it is possible your duck can still have a good life even handicapped. You may just have to rework some living arrangements for her once she recovers.

Ths isn't a very strong pain reliever but it may help if you can't get Meloxicam
you might check with friends that have pets and may have had one on Meloxicam and would share with you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ibuprofen-dose-for-ducks.1308956/#post-21335983
ths gives the dose for aspirin https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...n-relief-options.1350473/page-6#post-22264185

 

[WoDia]

Such a pretty girl. Looks so sweet. I really hope that she survived.

 

[Ridgeback825]

Airvet is what saved our Pekin from a bobcat attack. It's a video call and Dr.DMV is awesome out of Phoenix. I would definitely try and find someone that can close her skin up and get antibiotics in her asap. Without closing the skin, theres no way to beat infection. Hoping for the best!