help..fish hook removed but cheek very puffy

[s dinaldi]

Hi please help...my 7 wk merganser grabbed a fish hook.I removed I by pushing it the rest of the way through..this was yesterday about 3pm...he was fine after the incident play. rest of day..cheek was a bit puffy last nite...2am till 7am he chirped, and seemed in pain. cheek a bit more puffy...slept most of 2day only ate a little bit...preening a little bit and swelling has gone down a little butI am still worried and am looking for any advice. We r away at camp.I swabbed the inside of his cheek on the injured side with lListerine..no peroxide.here. Don't think swelling is infection yet as it was swollen last nite, only a few hrs after the injury...what do I do now or what do I need to watch out for..thanks...worried mom

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi please help...my 7 wk merganser grabbed a fish hook.I removed I by pushing it the rest of the way through..this was yesterday about 3pm...he was fine after the incident play. rest of day..cheek was a bit puffy last nite...2am till 7am he chirped, and seemed in pain. cheek a bit more puffy...slept most of 2day only ate a little bit...preening a little bit and swelling has gone down a little butI am still worried and am looking for any advice. We r away at camp.I swabbed the inside of his cheek on the injured side with lListerine..no peroxide.here. Don't think swelling is infection yet as it was swollen last nite, only a few hrs after the injury...what do I do now or what do I need to watch out for..thanks...worried mom

I'd put some Apple Cider Vinegar into his drinking water it has antibacterial proprieties and aids in healing he'll drink some too and is a great tonic. Put 2 tablespoons to 1 gallon of water.

 

[Amiga]

You might try dabbing a little triple antibiotic ointment on the skin on the outside of the cheek also - it may absorb into the skin a tiny bit. I would plan on contacting a vet a.s.a.p. and getting antibiotics.