Injured Duck Not Eating

[Nighthawk78]

Hi everyone,
Three nights ago (12th September), there was an attack on our ducks with one missing, one injured and the following night, a drake was killed.
The injured duck we found lying under a bush, conscious but not moving. When we inspected her she just seemed to have some broken and/or pulled feathers around her chest and neck causing bleeding and was in shock.
The next morning, when she was more alert, I realized she didn’t have any reaction in her right wing or foot (I could extend them, her wing seemed to be a bit sore but she couldn’t pull it back). I was planning to call the vets but that evening she was able to tuck her wing in somewhat so it wasn’t completely limp. I decided to wait and see, hoping not to have to take her in and cause her more stress (and more money).
She’s still improving, her wing is almost back to normal and her foot is slowly starting to get movement in it as well. My main concern is that she’s not eating. The last time she’s eaten is the afternoon of the twelfth. I keep offering her food and she has a dish of grain in with her, I’ve tried soaking it in water, I’ve tried lettuce, but she’s not interested in anything. She’s drinking fine but just won’t eat.
Any suggestions to get her to eat or do I have to take her to the vets?

Cheers

 

[Isaac 0]

She does not look well. If you can take her to a vet, I would highly suggest doing so. If you want to treat her at home, you'll need to get tube feeding supplies and start off by hydrating her, then getting her nutritional needs fulfilled. If you can't take her to the vet, and want to use the latter option, just say so, and I can elucidate on the topic a bit more.

 

[Nighthawk78]

She does not look well. If you can take her to a vet, I would highly suggest doing so. If you want to treat her at home, you'll need to get tube feeding supplies and start off by hydrating her, then getting her nutritional needs fulfilled. If you can't take her to the vet, and want to use the latter option, just say so, and I can elucidate on the topic a bit more.

The avian vet doesn’t have appointments free until Friday, but they have offered to take her as an emergency case if we call the clinic first thing in the morning so we’re going to do that and hope it doesn’t require euthanasia

 

[Isaac 0]

The avian vet doesn’t have appointments free until Friday, but they have offered to take her as an emergency case if we call the clinic first thing in the morning so we’re going to do that and hope it doesn’t require euthanasia

Please keep us posted.

In the meantime, you'll want to keep her in a warmer environment than usual since sick birds don't often eat as much (like yours) they're metabolic energy levels are often comprised which often leads to subsequent hypothermia. Keeping the area, dimly lit, may also be good.

 

[nao57]

Switch to wet foods. And spoon feed her if you have to.

You could do a baby food like gruel from wet runny oatmeal and mashed peas. I think this is the best thing to try because they like this kind of stuff. So it should be something you can get them to eat.


But if they won't eat, you need to act fast or she won't survive. Not eating is bad.

But you don't have to spend tons of money either, but just science it out.

 

[Nighthawk78]

I tried making a liquidy porridge in replace of her water in hopes of convincing her to have that instead but she refused. I didn't want her to dehydrate so I ended up giving back her water, which we've been dissolving a bit of sugar and a pinch of salt in.
This afternoon she finally had two mouthfuls of grain that I kinda tricked her into eating (she accidentally got a bit in a her mouth then realized she was hungry and had a bit more). It's not nearly enough but it's better than nothing after 4 days without.
We have an appointment at the vets tomorrow morning so hopefully they'll be able to help her.

 

[nao57]

I tried making a liquidy porridge in replace of her water in hopes of convincing her to have that instead but she refused. I didn't want her to dehydrate so I ended up giving back her water, which we've been dissolving a bit of sugar and a pinch of salt in.
This afternoon she finally had two mouthfuls of grain that I kinda tricked her into eating (she accidentally got a bit in a her mouth then realized she was hungry and had a bit more). It's not nearly enough but it's better than nothing after 4 days without.
We have an appointment at the vets tomorrow morning so hopefully they'll be able to help her.

Wonderful.

I'm glad you got some progress on this!

And doing sugar and salt in the water was genius also. I like it.

I really hope for your success.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

I am so glad I have found this thread because look:

We found our Muscovy drake just sitting by the pond. He looked normal but he didn’t come running for dinner and that isn’t normal.
I brought him in and he has an injury on the under part of his wing, it’s a nasty cut, and another on his side (under the same wing).
I washed them real well with Vetericyn and the wounds are clean, and not deep. Not bleeding, and
nothing is broken, but he won’t eat or drink. He seems freaked out (well he’s in the house in a crate).
I will give him more time to settle down before I get pushy with food and water.
@Nighthawk78 , how is your duck doing now?

 

[nao57]

I am so glad I have found this thread because look:

View attachment 2336681
We found our Muscovy drake just sitting by the pond. He looked normal but he didn’t come running for dinner and that isn’t normal.
I brought him in and he has an injury on the under part of his wing, it’s a nasty cut, and another on his side (under the same wing).
I washed them real well with Vetericyn and the wounds are clean, and not deep. Not bleeding, and
nothing is broken, but he won’t eat or drink. He seems freaked out (well he’s in the house in a crate).
I will give him more time to settle down before I get pushy with food and water.
@Nighthawk78 , how is your duck doing now?

Are you in an area that has lots of snapping turtles by any chance?

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Are you in an area that has lots of snapping turtles by any chance?

Are you in an area that has lots of snapping turtles by any chance?

Ihave never seen any on our property, but I believe they are around our area.