injured Runner Duck

[lmartinez31]

Hello Everyone!


I am new to this site and I have an emergency! I have a Black runner duck that is 6 weeks old, about two days ago he was accidentally shot on the top of the eye with a bb gun not the air kind the old fashion type. He was about 20 yards from where the bb gun was being shot and got into the way of the gun. I can tell that he can still see from the eye but he will not eat or drank water and he can stand but can not walk around there is not any bird doctors in my area. Could someone please tell me how to help my poor little duck??

 

[Amiga]

Okay.

If you can get a photo to upload, using this icon

that might help us assess the problem.

Being shot in the head, that could traumatize anyone, he could be in shock.

Big question is, is the bb still in the duck?

Here is what I would do right off.

Get him where he can be watched closely, a safe place, perhaps with one buddy.
Rinse the area well with Vetericyn spray or saline solution.
Give him poultry vitamins in his water once a week for now.
Get him indoors, away from flies, they will lay eggs in wounds and that is miserable and awful.

Ask a few vets and see if they would be willing to consider looking at him because certain kinds of injuries and treatments apply to animals whether they are ducks or humans or dogs or cats. Metacam is a painkiller that can be used for waterfowl. See if they have some willingness to help even a little bit.

 

[lmartinez31]

Thanks for the responses. I will try to get a good picture of his eye today to upload. However it dose not seem the bb is in his eye. His eye is still enacted and he still has control over the eye yet today he can not stand and is just lying on one side. He can not hold his head up and he will not eat or drank. I have been giving him water and very little feed I also have been putting a medicated drops into his eye that helps with infection. He is on the inside of the house and when I move him try to stand but falls over. I put him into the tub with warm water and he just laid there and I had to hold him up he did try moving his legs. He quacks sometimes but for the last few days he quacks less. He has been sleeping a lot and has had a bowel movement a few times. I am just worried that there is more I could be doing for him. But I will try to upload a picture soon. He seems to be shaking today I fear he has and infection and is suffering but I would never have the heart to have him put down. I have hand raised this duck since he was 3 days old he is like my child. It kind of looks like the bb grazed the top part of the eye because there is not entry hole. Now he was in the pond when he was hit and when hit he started to whale around in a panic and I got to him with in seconds and he was still fighting when I got him out. I hope this helps and thanks for your response

 

[Amiga]

He may have an infection in his head. Get antibiotics right away. I wish I could say which are best, but see what you can get at a feed store.

His brain may be infected. I hope you can get him treated quickly enough. You may need an injectable antibiotic. If you know any farmers with livestock they may be able to tell you where to go locally for medicine and help. Or find a wildlife rehabber who could give similar information.

 

[Minecraftstuffz]

You should put a bandage thingie on her head to decrease the pain and feed her/him very basic food and keep it right next to her. Make sure that she is comfortable and do what ever you have been doing. Once she gets hungry enough she will eat. It will take time though

 

[lmartinez31]

Ok this is the best picture I can get of his eye.

I have an antibiotic called Liquamycin LA-200 but it is for cows and pigs and goats it is in an injection form could I give him this or a Tylenol because he is shivering like he has fever.

 

[Amiga]

No tylenol, and the injection would probably be too much because he is so small. Please call a vet. Just call and see if they will help with any info - he is running out of time.

 

[lmartinez31]

Thanks for the post

I did have the eye bandaged up. I took it off this morning to clean the eye and to medicate it again. I feel like it is going to take time and I do have food and water right next to him and I am looking into giving him an antibiotic that I have just waiting on the local vet to call me back he dose not work with birds but he said he knows someone out of state that dose and he is going to see what he says I should do. But Thank You all for your help I just feel like I should be doing more for him.

 

[Amiga]

These things can come up fast.

Put an Epsom salt compress on the head, and I would start to do the math if you can give just part of the injection based on weight - but is very risky also.

If the vets understand this duckling is in dire straits I hope they respond quickly.

 

[lmartinez31]

Hey Everyone!

I wanted to update everyone on my duckling. I started giving him some of the antibiotic that I had here at home that was for my goats and he has started to eat when I put food in front of him and now he is standing a little on his own. It has been touch and go with him but he seems to be getting better slowly. I have to say I am surprised at how good he is doing. Between the antibiotic and making sure he is drinking and eating at least three times a day he will stand but still keeps his head down but I have seen him stretching and he is now starting to make a little noise. Thank you all for the help and I will keep everyone updated on his recovery.