Injured Muscovy - what to do?

[MeTxLady]

I'm caring for my neighbors dogs and chickens until Sunday. When I was leaving earlier I spotted the 3 yard dogs messing with something by the fence so I stopped to check it out. It was one of their Muscovy ducks. They brought them with them here when they moved here a few years back. I think the dogs had gotten ahold of it cause there were feathers here and there and the duck was just kinda crawling - not flying off or running or even walking. I picked it up and brought it home. The only place I had to put it in was a large hog trap sitting in our yard. It's got weeds and grass under it so hopefully it feels a little at home. I gave it some water and it is drinking. I have some Durvet Vitamins & Electrolytes that I'm adding to my ducklings water and was wondering if mixing some of this in the Muscovy duck's water might help it and if so how much to mix? I'm mixing 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water for the ducklings. Should I use same mixture if I use it? I think it might have a broken wing only because it has a spot on it wing where it was injured but it doesn't look major. I also am wondering if it's just kinda in shock as I can't see any major injuries aside from a few feathers missing. I tried to look underneath it and at it's feet and was kinda hard to see but didn't see anything obvious. I didn't want to leave it there in case the dogs tried to attack or kill it. They do have a pond and the other ducks are there - should I just take it back and put it at edge of water to see if can swim away? I don't know if I should try to feed it? I have chicken feed and Start and grow feed for my ducklings. Honestly I wished I hadn't seen it cause now I have new baby chicks, ducklings and now an injured duck to care for - feeling a little overwhelmed.

I've included a pic I took of it before I picked it up so it's not the best. It also has what looks like spit in the bottom of it's left eye (not shown).

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm caring for my neighbors dogs and chickens until Sunday. When I was leaving earlier I spotted the 3 yard dogs messing with something by the fence so I stopped to check it out. It was one of their Muscovy ducks. They brought them with them here when they moved here a few years back. I think the dogs had gotten ahold of it cause there were feathers here and there and the duck was just kinda crawling - not flying off or running or even walking. I picked it up and brought it home. The only place I had to put it in was a large hog trap sitting in our yard. It's got weeds and grass under it so hopefully it feels a little at home. I gave it some water and it is drinking. I have some Durvet Vitamins & Electrolytes that I'm adding to my ducklings water and was wondering if mixing some of this in the Muscovy duck's water might help it and if so how much to mix? I'm mixing 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water for the ducklings. Should I use same mixture if I use it? I think it might have a broken wing only because it has a spot on it wing where it was injured but it doesn't look major. I also am wondering if it's just kinda in shock as I can't see any major injuries aside from a few feathers missing. I tried to look underneath it and at it's feet and was kinda hard to see but didn't see anything obvious. I didn't want to leave it there in case the dogs tried to attack or kill it. They do have a pond and the other ducks are there - should I just take it back and put it at edge of water to see if can swim away? I don't know if I should try to feed it? I have chicken feed and Start and grow feed for my ducklings. Honestly I wished I hadn't seen it cause now I have new baby chicks, ducklings and now an injured duck to care for - feeling a little overwhelmed.

I've included a pic I took of it before I picked it up so it's not the best. It also has what looks like spit in the bottom of it's left eye (not shown).

I'm glad you got the drake or they probably would have killed it. Yes feed it what ever you have but treat the injuries if flies get to any open wounds he is history, why would they leave their dogs where they could get hold of their ducks? Sorry make me mad when I hear of this.

Do you have Blue kote spray it on any wounds keep him as comfortable as possible in cool shade. with plenty of fresh water and feed. Ducks are able to heal from terrible attacks so main thing you need to be concerned with is flies at this point even cleaning out real good with salty warm water then spreading some kind of ointment over with out pain relief would be better than nothing, Wing maybe broken but that can heal as long as he is given a chance. Beautiful Scovy . Please don't take it back in the shape he is in he won't make it.If you use Blue Kote use a qtip to treat around the eyes don't spray it .

 

[MeTxLady]

Thanks for your reply and advice! I don't have any of the spray but I can clean it and put pain-free ointment on it. I'm not positive it was the dogs that attacked it but just assumed so. It's possible it got attacked last night by a opossum, coon or anything else in our woods. We all border a national forest so lots of animals. They have some very thick woods near them and I found the duck fairly close to the woods - about 10 yards. When I saw the dogs around it they weren't attacking it - the one was nudging at it but not biting or even barking so not sure.
I have it in the hog pen and will feed it some chicken food and clean the wounds. Do ducks need something in addition to the food like grit?

 

[Beer can]

TSC has this stuff called Lambert Kay EMT gel. Its known as a first aid kit in a tube. I've used it on bad wounds and the healing is unreal. It is made out of natural cologen, non toxic, relieves pain and itching, antiseptic, promotes rapid healing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for your reply and advice! I don't have any of the spray but I can clean it and put pain-free ointment on it. I'm not positive it was the dogs that attacked it but just assumed so. It's possible it got attacked last night by a opossum, coon or anything else in our woods. We all border a national forest so lots of animals. They have some very thick woods near them and I found the duck fairly close to the woods - about 10 yards. When I saw the dogs around it they weren't attacking it - the one was nudging at it but not biting or even barking so not sure.
I have it in the hog pen and will feed it some chicken food and clean the wounds. Do ducks need something in addition to the food like grit?

Grit is important especially if their isn't any available from the ground. sandy soil small gravel can work if you have it or plain grit that's what I keep out for mine. I'd also check him over from head to toe with all those feathers it's easy to miss wounds.

 

[MeTxLady]

Great! Hubby is stopping on way home to pick it up. I did put polysporin on it. I have it in a large container (like a storage container) with food and water. If I bring it inside will it get to cold? It's like low to mid 70s in here. I know that is probably stupid question but I think maybe it would be more comfortable and I don't have to worry about anything messing with it.

 

[MeTxLady]

Ok and so I'll grab some grit (small tiny rocks from outside. to put in there with the pellets I gave it. It pooped and it's poop is like real watery mud/dirt. yuck!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Temperature should be fine

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great! Hubby is stopping on way home to pick it up. I did put polysporin on it. I have it in a large container (like a storage container) with food and water. If I bring it inside will it get to cold? It's like low to mid 70s in here. I know that is probably stupid question but I think maybe it would be more comfortable and I don't have to worry about anything messing with it.

Yes bring him inside for his protection. Great idea.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you bring him in and he doesn't aoppear to be in shock you could also run a warm bath for him let him wash real good that way he'll clean out any nasties that maybe in the wounds.