Injured Duck

[DeCanard]

On Friday, a raccoon got to my ducks.

We lost one, and another is injured. It has a cut on its wing and neck. Neither of the cuts are too bad, and we have been cleaning them to prevent infection. But, the injured wing isn't tucking in completely. I was wondering if I should tape it into position, or just leave it. What do you think?

 

[Amiga]

I would leave it at this point, are you keeping it away from flies? Maggots are such a problem especially this time of year.

 

[Amiga]

Storey's Guide suggests carefully clipping feathers around the wound so you can see and treat more easily. There are blood feathers (I am not very educated about this, but wanted to mention it) that you don't want to clip, though.

The wing muscles may be pulled, so I would just give it a little time, and get the duck into lukewarm baths as much as possible. It is possible you will need to give oral antibiotics so you may want to do research on that just in case.

Please keep us updated and ask any questions you can think of. I would begin giving vitamins at least every few days to boost the immune system.

Are you using any antibiotics? Blu Kote?

 

[DeCanard]

I would leave it at this point, are you keeping it away from flies? Maggots are such a problem especially this time of year.

We brought her inside, and keep her in the garage at night. So she is safe from flies.

As for antibiotics, I have not been using any. I have been using antiseptic to clean the wound, and a nutritive spray to ease discomfort. The feathers were torn away on the main part of the larger wound, and the feathers are matted over the smaller one. I have tried to ease them away while wet; but to no avail. Her condition seems to have improved, and she is no longer bleeding. I'll look into obtaining vitamins. She doesn't have much of an appetite, is there anything that I could do for this?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[Amiga]

She is likely in shock, and that takes the appetite away for a while.

You could soak some rolled oats (not instant or flavored) in enough water to cover the oats plus about an inch, for an hour or two, and give her that. Even if she will just drink the water there will be some nutrients in it. This is an occasion I might also consider putting just a sprinkling of sugar in the water, for calories. But go with the oat water first. If she has a favorite treat, see if she will eat a little of that.

I think that after such a trauma, blood flow to the stomach is not at normal levels, so some loss of appetite is normal.

But making sure she is getting some kind of nutrition through fluids is important.

See if you can give her some lukewarm baths. That might help unmat the feathers over the other wound.

Praying for you all.

 

[DeCanard]

Thanks for the advice!