Help needed.

[Princessduck]

I have a 4 month Rouen duck that was injured by a raccoon. We have brought her in the house to get her away from the flys and are treating her wounds with Blue. She seemed to be getting better but recently started to breath funny. She stretches her neck up high and her chest retracts hard when she breaths. She is drinking but doesn’t seem to be eating. Any ideas what I should do? Our vet doesn’t see ducks.

 

[Birdie mom]

I have a 4 month Rouen duck that was injured by a raccoon. We have brought her in the house to get her away from the flys and are treating her wounds with Blue. She seemed to be getting better but recently started to breath funny. She stretches her neck up high and her chest retracts hard when she breaths. She is drinking but doesn’t seem to be eating. Any ideas what I should do? Our vet doesn’t see ducks.

how long has she been breathing like this?

 

[Birdie mom]

how long has she been breathing like this?

oh! and welcome to the BYC!

 

[RainbowHen]

How long since the injury? How long has she not been eating? Is she on antibiotics?

 

[RainbowHen]

So sorry this happened

 

[Pollo Blanco]

I'd give her sugar water; 3 tablespoons per quart with a pinch of sea salt like I did for my little ones when I got them.

I have just begun duck keeping, so I apologize for my lack of depth.

Have you tried frozen peas? Adding a little grit might be a good idea too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

A video would help us help you. Where are her wounds pictures would be good. If she’s drinking she may try a soupy mix of her feed.

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry to hear about your duck.

I'll first start off by saying, I do NOT like Blue-Kote, I'm not really sure of its effectiveness with wounds, I've never heard a vet recommend it, but it stains the feathers bad, and dye's the wound so its hard to tell what's really going on.

Examine her whole body for any wounds, if you see one, trim the feathers around the wounded area, about a 2/3cm circumferential zone will work, after that lavage the wound with either saline, chlorhexidine (Hibiclens), or diluted betadine. You can use a dish soap bottle to lavage or a 35/65 syringe. Then you can either slather the wound with a triple antibiotic ointment, I prefer Prep H since it increases the respiratory component in the epithelium thus promoting wound healing, you could also use a poultry wound spray like Vetericyn.

Just to reconfirm, she should be in a warm (80F-ish) area, away from flies, that's dimly lit, and stressful free. Some Gatorade, Pedialyte, or a poultry vitamin would be great to add to her water for a little boost.

A few questions, how long has she not been eating, birds need to eat, if she doesn't start eating soon she'll need to be tube-fed. Most birds with bite wounds require antibiotics, do you have any on hand, if so what?

 

[Pollo Blanco]

I use this stuff on dog wounds.

https://www.amazon.com/CHLORHEXIDIN...PGNPQ54NJ6H&psc=1&refRID=JDV4PS84DPGNPQ54NJ6H