- Sep 24, 2013
- 9
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- 62
Yesterday I went to change our 3 runner ducks water and noticed what appears to be puncture wounds on the back of one of their heads, a wound on each side. His head looked swollen (as you'd expect) and I tried to clean the wounds and examine them, but he seemed too freaked out to try and catch him. He's moving around with the rest of the flock, in and out of their "ponds", even attempted to mount the female just now, but definitely not being his normal, high strung, dominate self.
I'm not sure what to do. I've had them for about 4 months and they are about 5 months old now. They are "pets" but not super tame, they don't let you pick them up or eat of your hand. That being the case, it is making it hard for me to know if I should catch him and attempt to clean his wounds, which would be stressful for them even if he wasn't injured. I am trying to determine if he's wounded in such a way that he will not recover and if so if he needs to be put out of his misery. Or perhaps he's hurt but will recover on his own?
I'm really just not sure what to do. I care for the ducks and love them but the nearest vet is over an hour away and doesn't work with birds. If there is anything I can do to increase his likelihood of survival, without causing further damage , I'd definitely do it, but I am not sure what that'd be. I don't get the feeling that he needs to be put down today but I am uncertain what to look for.
I have not seen him eat from their feeder or forage like he usually does. He's drinking water, but not like usual either. Just tiny little drinks.
He has spent a large part of today standing with his head pressed against his chest as shown in the picture.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
I'm not sure what to do. I've had them for about 4 months and they are about 5 months old now. They are "pets" but not super tame, they don't let you pick them up or eat of your hand. That being the case, it is making it hard for me to know if I should catch him and attempt to clean his wounds, which would be stressful for them even if he wasn't injured. I am trying to determine if he's wounded in such a way that he will not recover and if so if he needs to be put out of his misery. Or perhaps he's hurt but will recover on his own?
I'm really just not sure what to do. I care for the ducks and love them but the nearest vet is over an hour away and doesn't work with birds. If there is anything I can do to increase his likelihood of survival, without causing further damage , I'd definitely do it, but I am not sure what that'd be. I don't get the feeling that he needs to be put down today but I am uncertain what to look for.
I have not seen him eat from their feeder or forage like he usually does. He's drinking water, but not like usual either. Just tiny little drinks.
He has spent a large part of today standing with his head pressed against his chest as shown in the picture.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.