Help! Duck has injured eye!

[saltandpepper2]

so my favorite duck got attacked by a dog while I was away. She lost some feathers, but I can't find any puncture wounds accept around her eye! It's all swollen and raw, but it still works. Right now she is resting in my tub with the lights off. What should I do?!?!

 

[Amiga]

What I would do:

If I could get her to a good duck vet, I would.

In any case:

Rinse or mist lightly with saline solution 4 or 5 times a day
Give poultry vitamins twice a week
Try to get antibiotic eye ointment, or Vetericyn eye gel (I have used the Vetericyn - it works well)

If any improvements need to be made to the security system, do so. I know things can happen in spite of our efforts, but this needs to be mentioned for future readers.

Talk to her and comfort her.

 

[saltandpepper2]

Ok thank you. The Ducks were free ranging when it happened. The actual run is very secure. I'll start treating her right away. Unfortunately I can't afford to go to a vet.

 

[saltandpepper2]

Ok so got a better look and I'm freaking out. Both eyes looked injured but one is much worse. There's a puncture right beside it and the swelling from the picture appears to be the actually eye lid either maimed or inside out?! She also has a few punctures on her neck. I got all the supplies while I was headed home, but have an appointment that I had to go to, so a family member is going to babysit her until I get home.

 

[Amiga]

Not to give false hope, but ducks can rebound from horrid injuries. She does need your help now.

Ducks have an inner eyelid, a nictitating membrane, and that can get swollen. You may be seeing that.

At this point I would try to get some Vetericyn eye gel, and get her into a clean tub of lukewarm water twice a day - at least once, before bedtime, followed with the Vetericyn eye gel.

Vitamins twice a week to give her a boost, and talk it out with her. I think you both might be able to encourage each other.

I would also consider starting her on oral antibiotics. I am no vet, but perhaps Duramycin - available at many feed stores - is what I would use.

 

[silenthawk2x3]

Dog bites are very prone to get infected as dog mouths are filled with bacteria! Likely what you are seeing is the start of an infection. For most animals (including us) if you don't get antibiotics you risk losing the appendage that was bitten. For your poor duck the appendage is an important one. An infection in the head could be deadly for any creature. I would do my very best to get some antibiotics.

 

[saltandpepper2]

Not to give false hope, but ducks can rebound from horrid injuries.  She does need your help now.

Ducks have an inner eyelid, a nictitating membrane, and that can get swollen.  You may be seeing that.

At this point I would try to get some Vetericyn eye gel, and get her into a clean tub of lukewarm water twice a day - at least once, before bedtime, followed with the Vetericyn eye gel.

Vitamins twice a week to give her a boost, and talk it out with her.  I think you both might be able to encourage each other.

I would also consider starting her on oral antibiotics.  I am no vet, but perhaps Duramycin - available at many feed stores - is what I would use.

I got the eye gel! Started using it right away... Ok, so, I have Baytril on hand... Would that work in this case? I've used it on animals before and it has worked miracles! I know the warnings with using it on egg laying poultry, but I could care less right now. Would that be good?

 

[saltandpepper2]

Dog bites are very prone to get infected as dog mouths are filled with bacteria! Likely what you are seeing is the start of an infection. For most animals (including us) if you don't get antibiotics you risk losing the appendage that was bitten. For your poor duck the appendage is an important one. An infection in the head could be deadly for any creature. I would do my very best to get some antibiotics. 

An infection immediately? The swollen eye is part of her injuries. I dealt with some nasty stuff on larger animals, and I don't believe this is an infection (yet)

 

[Amiga]

I know of Baytril being used with ducks for a number of things, including egg yolk peritonitis (which I know this is not). Since I am not a vet or vet tech, I can only say that you need to be comfortable using it, but I would want to give her some sort of antibiotic.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I got the eye gel! Started using it right away... Ok, so, I have Baytril on hand... Would that work in this case? I've used it on animals before and it has worked miracles! I know the warnings with using it on egg laying poultry, but I could care less right now. Would that be good?

Lets see if we can get @casportpony here she is a good one for meds and what works.