Fox attacked my duck! PLEASE HELP!!!

[duckcrazy]

You are correct that having a dog specifically to protect ducks does take training and some dogs are definitely better tailored to this task then others. My dogs, on the other hand, do not intentionally protect our ducks, they just chase off anything that does not belong in our yard, thus the ducks benefit from this behavior-- rather a symbiotic relationship tee hee hee.

Thanks for your post

 

[cath892]

thank you everyone!

I had a boxer! she was the best but she passed away last year. she was a good guard dog. right now i have a maltipoo and a chihuahua, not the best guard dogs for ducks.
I just gave her a warm bath, she seemed happy swimming around. walking is still hard for her. she keeps digging at a certain spot under her wings but i cant get a good look.

 

[blondiebee181]

The digging may indicate an internal irritation of some kind...hopefully it will stop as she heals...Boxers are the best, I want another one soooo bad!

 

[cath892]

I'll just try my best to keep a eye on it. She's doing much better, I'm keeping her inside with me for a few days.

My next dog will absolutely be a boxer!

 

[cath892]

just want to say thank you again to everyone. she's making a good recovery

 

[blondiebee181]

Hooray!!!

 

[Kevin565]

 

[MixWizard]

 

[Amiga]

Good news, please keep us posted and watch her carefully. I feel she may not be out of the woods yet. But I pray that she is.

You are being good to her.

 

[fifenashia]

We have been through a similar situation with our little Mallard and a neighbor's lab. She had punctures and a gaping hole but no broken bones. I can't say for sure what is the best in your situation as each one is different but I can share with you what WE did with ours. She will be 3 this spring and aside form a few PTSD tics, she is a stubborn strong duck.

We brought her in as soon as we found her, and I put her in a dog crate with bedding down and access to food and water. Tractor Supply was open (Thankfully) and we were able to get packets of electrolytes, a blue spray called veramyst (I am probably spelling that wrong) as well as a pack of antibiotics. I called our emergency vet who helped me figure out the right dosage of antibiotics for her size. Everyday she was kept warm, quiet and I would let her swim in a warm bath to move the muscles. She also got her antibiotics, fresh water with electrolytes (Gatorade or pedialyte work in a pinch) and our vet checked her over for us the next day. I kept her indoors until her wounds scabbed over and then we put her back in the henhouse with the other survivor.

One of the best pieces of advice we got had to be from another poster who informed me that ducks are extremely resilient and that there have been many ducks with severe wounds (one example was a duckling with a hole in her chest) that survived and recovered fully. Keep the faith, and think positive.

Keep doing what you are doing, keep us updated!