Emergency wounded drake - lost him

[Miss Lydia]

Amiga how did the vet visit go today?

 

[Amiga]

It did not go well. Please don't read this if descriptions of predator injuries disturb you.

Apparently it was not just a big wound, but there were several things that the vet could not do anything about, such as exposed jaw bone (leading to extremely difficult to treat infection, the maggots were more abundant than it had appeared, and the right side of his jaw had been severed from where it attached to the skull. And that was just from a brief examination.

I explored every possible angle of palliative care and experimental treatment that I could think of.

He ate less and less the last 24 hours, and was in increasing pain. He was euthanized.

I tried. And failed, and most probably could not possibly have helped him any more than I did.

We buried him alongside Drei next to the forest garden.

Thanks all for prayers, advice and encouragement. It will help me deal with the next crisis, whenever that may occur.

If any new duck owners read this, please, go to extra lengths to secure your ducks, if they do get injured, go to extra lengths to keep flies off of them and treat wounds thoroughly and immediately. Keep a supply of wound-dressing materials at hand. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help right away.

 

[NoZolbitty]

This might be useful, When my pied peach faced love bird was attacked by a cat, The vet gave me two things, one was amall bottle of oral antibiotics and a small container of sulfadine. I've seen sulfadine used on both man or beast. I've had it prescribed for me when I developed an ulcer on my foot (I'm diabetic) I wonder if it would help the drake. I worked for my lovebird..

 

[Amiga]

This might be useful, When my pied peach faced love bird was attacked by a cat, The vet gave me two things, one was amall bottle of oral antibiotics and a small container of sulfadine. I've seen sulfadine used on both man or beast. I've had it prescribed for me when I developed an ulcer on my foot (I'm diabetic) I wonder if it would help the drake. I worked for my lovebird..

Thanks, NoZolbitty, I am always interested in things to add to the duck/human medicine chest. I am sad to report that the drake did not make it, as the wounds were too deep and serious, and complicated by maggot infestation.

 

[NoZolbitty]

It did not go well. Please don't read this if descriptions of predator injuries disturb you.

Apparently it was not just a big wound, but there were several things that the vet could not do anything about, such as exposed jaw bone (leading to extremely difficult to treat infection, the maggots were more abundant than it had appeared, and the right side of his jaw had been severed from where it attached to the skull. And that was just from a brief examination.

I explored every possible angle of palliative care and experimental treatment that I could think of.

He ate less and less the last 24 hours, and was in increasing pain. He was euthanized.

I tried. And failed, and most probably could not possibly have helped him any more than I did.

We buried him alongside Drei next to the forest garden.

Thanks all for prayers, advice and encouragement. It will help me deal with the next crisis, whenever that may occur.

If any new duck owners read this, please, go to extra lengths to secure your ducks, if they do get injured, go to extra lengths to keep flies off of them and treat wounds thoroughly and immediately. Keep a supply of wound-dressing materials at hand. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help right away.

I wish I had seen this entry before I made my submission. You did what you could for the drake,and as sad as it is you have gained a fair chunk of knowledge that might make the difference to future birds

 

[Amiga]

I wish I had seen this entry before I made my submission. You did what you could for the drake,and as sad as it is you have gained a fair chunk of knowledge that might make the difference to future birds

Thanks, timing of posts is hit and miss sometimes. I appreciate the information. And I plan to keep trying to help. Rough day.

 

[70%cocoa]

So sorry about that brave drake. How terribly sad.

You did your level best for him - you did everything possible. Sounds like nothing could be done, with a wound that bad. Poor boy

You are so right about the moral of the story - protect your birds from predators. Learn about what predators are capable of and do what it takes to keep them away from your birds.

 

[Kevin565]

I'm so sorry Amiga

 

[Amiga]

Rest in peace.

 

[70%cocoa]

What a handsome boy.