Thanks, all! Just got back, have a few minutes to fill in details.
We had someone who posted my emergency, but was not able to see responses. Oh, well. Technology is great when it works.
Don't know where to start . . .
In brief, raccoon attack night before last, duck owner new to serious injuries, with other relative crises going on at the same time. I went over there to try to help out.
The head wound, which involves the ear, seems to be the only one, but I know that's just how it appears right now. I irrigated it first with saline solution, then combed fly eggs off the head, then irrigated some more with DE solution. Yes, I know some people say DE doesn't work when wet, but some say it does, we had it, and with the gaping wound I was not about to squirt some toxic bug killer into his head.
We brought him to a deep, clean, sink, got him in some cool to lukewarm water with a splash of white vinegar, and rinsed and rinsed. He was not lethargic, he was pretty calm, hissed a little and nibbled at us but seemed cooperative. His head is warm, there is slight swelling near the base of the bill on the right side of his head which is the injured side, and his eyes were slightly puffy, very slightly.
While floating in the sink, I noticed he held his tail sideways . . . guessing the ear is messed up and affecting his sense of balance. But he remained upright in the water, swam a bit, played with water dripping from the faucet.
As I wrote, he is on tetracycline oral in his water, and is being given apple cider vinegar. He is eating, some, pooping, and drinking.
I plan to take him to a vet tomorrow.
Meanwhile, after bath time, we put some DE water paste on gauze, with some povidone iodine (generic betadine) on the gauze, and wrapped it on him with vet wrap, which he wiggled a little bit but it still covers most of the wound.
I got the owner to bring him indoors, where flies won't be such a problem. I left him with some chopped thawed veggies, some cat kibble with a tad of water, his tetracycline drink on a thick towel in a large dog crate. He seemed to be walking okay.
I shall now check out the link. Thanks so much.
