HELP: Injured ducks due to dog attack! **UPDATE: bloody wing still!**

[maralynn28]

Quote:
Kasia, that is SO funny. DH asked me how smart ducks are. I answered "I don't think they are as smart as dogs or pigs, but they are smarter than we give them credit for." He said he was asking because he was wondering if they act up to get attention!!! LOL He said he noticed that they walk around fine when he's watching them, but then when I'm in the room they start to limp a little and he was wondering if their leg is really hurt or if they just want attention from me.

So maybe that's a point about the peas... Thanks for sharing that story of Hope and Faith, you did such a great job with them...I hope I can feel the same pride when I am finished caring for mine.

I didn't give them any peas yesterday, and I did see some little pocks in their food but there's not really anything noticeable so I don't know if they were pecking/nibbling or if someone just walked through it...ha ha. It bothers me they aren't eating, but I'm not too worried as long as they keep drinking their water like they do and I'll keep adding vites, but also because they are supposed to start laying and I hope they don't develop a calcium deficiency and end up eggbound. I don't know, I'm new at this but that thought crossed my mind.

Bluekote was suggested to me from some others on the board who said they had great successes with it. I didn't really know what it was either but when I was looking at the feed store, it popped out at me. On the label it says "Veterinary Antiseptic-Protective Wound Dressing, Germicidal and Fungicidal It is a germicidal, fungicidal wound dressing and healing aid effective against both bacterial and fungus infections most common in skin lesions of domestic animals." I got the aerosol can because it is easier to get into the deep wound areas and I felt bad about sticking my fingers/ tools in the wound to rub the antibiotic ointment on. This is much easier, but it's like spray paint and turns my fingers and their feathers blue!! It didn't cost too much either, it was $6.99 at Cenex for a 5 oz can and I've been using it a lot and the can still feels heavy.

Since you said the wounds don't really ever completely close, can you tell me how long I have to keep treating them like this? I will want to keep them in the safety of the garage for a few weeks still so they don't run around too much and hurt themselves, but I'd still like to let them out for short walks etc and don't want to keep spraying them blue if I don't have to.

 

[tigerrrrrrrlilly]

maybe try wetting the food, you will be able to see better if they eat it and they will get a bigger bite of it when they do.

 

[Kasia]

Hmmm...I wonder if bluekote is similar to Sylvadine. I don't feel like going downstairs to check right now. But next time I'm at the feed store, I'll get it. You can never have too much in your first aid kit.

I usually treat the wound for 2 to 3 weeks. Twice a day at first for the first week, then once a day the next, and when yo see the wound becoming like a leathery color and is leathery to the touch, then you no longer have to put anything on it. Just watch to make sure it isn't getting oozy and smelly and has no maggots.

Maybe you could mix in some dry cat food kibble in with their food. Mine LOVE dry cat food, and that's all they feed to the ducks at the wildlife sanctuary we trained at. And at least cat food has the vitamins and minerals they're not getting from peas.

 

[maralynn28]

I found the feeder empty this morning! When I refilled it 2 of the ducks (the least hurt) took off running to it, the one with wound near her gland and injured wing nibbled at it, but the fourth duckie with the big wound was still shy about it. But that is great news to me! I'm sure she'll come around, she's looking so much better. I will try both those suggestions (wet food and cat kibble) and I was also thinking of getting them some feeder fish today. I think that will make them happy and the kids will love to watch them eat that.

They are looking fantastic, except the wing is still droopy and I think it hurts her for me to touch it. I think it really might be broken and I've tried bandaging it but she keeps wiggling it off. Anyway, things are really getting better even more quickly than I had imagines so again thank you for all your help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is great 28, ducks internal temp. is so high they can pretty much fight off any infection. Alot of what you have seen to is the trauma of what happened. PTSD in ducks poor things. Keep up the good work!

 

[maralynn28]

UPDATE: Ducks doing well, they are outside again and loving it...however, the one with the injured wing doesn't appear to be healing. The wing has been hanging low, I thought maybe it just set that way but this morning my daughter said that she saw blood on her duck.

The ducky girl is bleeding from what would be her "elbow" area, I can't see any injury as it is covered with feathers and she won't let me inspect it. What do I do? Can I clip anymore of those feathers? Is it a blood feather bleeding? It doesn't look like too much blood but I have no idea whether to let it be or if there is something bigger I need to take care of. It's been about 2 wks now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Listen 28 your are mommie duck, If you have to catch her to inspect her injury then do it! Get your daughter to help, after you catch her take her to a quiet place wrap her in a towel or old banket so she can't scratch or get away and really examine that elbow or where ever it's bleeding, Do you have bluekote? it's a spray for animals that is great for treating places that are hard to treat otherwise. I don't think I'd trim anymore feathers unless you can see where the quick is so there won't be more bleeding. I'd keep her inside till she is completely healed She can get injured more or be picked on by the others. keep her on something soft so she won't scrap that area if her wing is on the ground. I have 8 ducks and they are tuff critters she may just need more time. Her wing may never be back where it was but she'll do fine after she heals. Keep us updated.

 

[maralynn28]

Thanks Miss Lydia, we are trying. I had daughter with duck in lap while I tried to inspect but she just kept wiggling and wouldn't hold wing still...
I do have bluekote and have been using it, it's great it is a spray but I can't tell what type injury she has. Wing is not on ground, it is just lower than where it should be. I think it is definitely broken as I think a 'sprain' would look better by now. She was looking pretty good but dd said she saw blood and it is indeed fresh. I guess we will have to check her out more but the only way I think I can get a good inspection is to clear feathers from the area. I don't want to make things worse so thought I should check in before doing so.

I wonder why she is still bleeding...it can't be constantly bleeding or I think we would have noticed before now. I don't know if the bluekote is getting in the way so I can't see well or if it is just feathers. Rgh. Just so frustrating. I really wish I could give that dog owner a piece of my mind.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I doubt it would be bleeding from the original attack, maybe she bumps it or messes with it when preening? If you could hold her still long enough to look at her feathers to judge weather you can cut anymore back then maybe you could get the bluekote into the problem. I know it can be frustrating they can really wiggle. I usually get dh to hold while I doctor. if it's broken it will heal just probably will never be back where it was since you couldn't splint it. Is she acting like a normal duck again? I am happy to hear they are recovering. I wish you could talk to the owner too.

 

[tigerrrrrrrlilly]

If you wrap her in a towel and also cover her head with it or hold over her eyes, it might be easier to keep her still. You really need to get your eyes on it in order to figure out the solution. I believe she would have injured it again recently for it to be bleeding now. blue kote will help with the open wound. You can also try honey on it.