Injured Duck

[Jamie Michaelis]

Hello everyone!

I’m hoping someone can help me. One of my ducks recently had a sever eye injury. She was aggressively mounted by one of my drakes. The drake plucked at her eye. My husband and I moved her inside into a plastic tub with food and water.
We have been cleaning it with saline solution, and we also bought Vetericyn eye wash.
It looks like skin, or bone has grown over her eye. What can I do to help her?
Thank you,
Jamie Michaelis

 

[Isaac 0]

Could you post a picture of the eye?

 

[Jamie Michaelis]

 

[Jamie Michaelis]

Could you post a picture of the eye?

 

[Isaac 0]

Thanks for the pictures.
From what I can see, it appears there is a large amount of exudate that has dried and crusted around the eye. Since you are able to physically examine the area, I would like you to double-check that is the case. In that scenario, I would suggest you take some of the gel you have and apply a few drops liberally to the eye. After a few minutes, the gel should have loosened the gunk up to the point, you may be able to wipe it off gently with a damp warm towel. If it does not come off well, repeat the first step until it does. If you are able to clean the eye up well, I also suggest applying an ophthalmic ointment, such as Terramycin that will help combat any present bacteria and work at reducing the inflammation currently. I would use that in conjunction with daily eye saline flushes, and ensure the duck has clean access to deep water.
If you have access to a veterinarian, they would likely be able to complete these tasks in a more efficient, timely manner. Depending on the underlying damage, it is possible the duck may not be able to see through that eye again. A menace reaction, which can be performed later on to determine if the eye is still functioning correctly. Swiftly move your fist towards the eye/ if there is a blink or a physical reaction the duck can apparently see. If there is no reaction, it is likely the duck has lost its vision in the pertaining eye.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pfizer-terramycin-opthalmic-ointment-1-8-oz

 

[Jamie Michaelis]

Thank you so much! I will try all of that. Unfortunately we do not have any vets near by that will assist me with any of my ducks or chickens. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Isaac 0]

Thank you so much! I will try all of that. Unfortunately we do not have any vets near by that will assist me with any of my ducks or chickens. Thank you so much for your help!

You're welcome - keep us posted on the ducks condition!

 

[Jamie Michaelis]

Thanks for the pictures.
From what I can see, it appears there is a large amount of exudate that has dried and crusted around the eye. Since you are able to physically examine the area, I would like you to double-check that is the case. In that scenario, I would suggest you take some of the gel you have and apply a few drops liberally to the eye. After a few minutes, the gel should have loosened the gunk up to the point, you may be able to wipe it off gently with a damp warm towel. If it does not come off well, repeat the first step until it does. If you are able to clean the eye up well, I also suggest applying an ophthalmic ointment, such as Terramycin that will help combat any present bacteria and work at reducing the inflammation currently. I would use that in conjunction with daily eye saline flushes, and ensure the duck has clean access to deep water.
If you have access to a veterinarian, they would likely be able to complete these tasks in a more efficient, timely manner. Depending on the underlying damage, it is possible the duck may not be able to see through that eye again. A menace reaction, which can be performed later on to determine if the eye is still functioning correctly. Swiftly move your fist towards the eye/ if there is a blink or a physical reaction the duck can apparently see. If there is no reaction, it is likely the duck has lost its vision in the pertaining eye.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pfizer-terramycin-opthalmic-ointment-1-8-oz

Hi Issac,
I looked at her eye some more and it looks like it’s skin that’s covering her eye. I moistened it, and wiped it and it nothing happened. Is there a safe way to get rid of the skin?
Thank you!

 

[Newfowler1]

Don’t remove any tissue from that eye w/o knowing exactly what your doing. If I’m not mistaken ducks have a Nictitating membrane that can cover the eye for swimming and flying. I thought they had at least two if not 3 eyelids. Call me crazy...

Neosporin if you can’t get a proper eye ointment is helpful. My Pekin had her eye punctured in a raccoon attack. She lost her eye eventuall, it fell out while having a scratch in the pond. I swear she almost grabbed at it to eat it afterwards lol. I lost my sh$* watching this happen.

 

[ibarbidahl]

Isaacs right on. Leave that skin - it is likely her inner eyelid!