Looks Like A Sore On Back Of Pekin Duck , Size Of Quarter ?

[Dotfur]

 

[Dotfur]

Don't know if my text loaded?


Pekin Duck out in the wild, guess someone released him, on a canal in Lambertville, Nj. I know him as Sonny, he's there with his mate Cher - also a Pekin Duck. They're both kind of looked after by a Chinese White Domestic goose: Sheldon (aka the Big Guy) locals say that he also had a mate until a few years ago. Cher & Sonny have been on the canal at least 2 years - maybe more. All three are beloved by some of the locals.
Sonny seems to have some kind of sore on his back - visible at times through his wings when they spread a bit. I've been trying & trying to get a good pic of it - but not much luck. I'll attach what I have so far.
They came through the winter alright but went through a rough patch about a month ago, lots of mallards and other ducks attacking them, trying to mate with Cher while Sonny did his best to fight them off. Eventually Cher wound up somehow in a whole other part of the canal, laid at least one egg, then was back up in her old area of the canal for an evening but, next day, seems to have gotten Sonny & Sheldon (the goose) back to her new location: more peaceful. Sonny wound up with a bloody spot on his wing - but it was gone the next day.
About a week ago as we look down from a little bridge at him, we could see this spot that looks like an open sore. He's very active and doesn't act sick. He does come to me and others for treats.
Any ideas, insights?

Marty

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Not uncommon for a duck to behave normally even if they are sick or injured. That is a survival skill.

That sore looks nasty to me, what I can see anyway. That does not look to me like the kind of sore that gets inflicted from breeding or dominance 'games'.

I'm not sure how one would go about treating an injury in a semi- wild duck. If that were to show up in my flock, the first thing I would do is gently grab my duck/drake and proceed straight to an Epsom Salt bath (but no drinking allowed). All back/neck injuries that I've had here have been successfully healed with that alone... But, from the color in the pic, I think antibiotics might be in order. Any avian vets near you?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've never seen a wound there when my drakes fight but I'm sure it's not un common for the drake to get a wound there if fighting with other drakes. Can you actually get your hands on this duck? only thing I can think of that would help besides an avian vet which Holly recommended would be some Blue Kote and the reason being it may stay on long enough to actually do some good since he most likely spends his time in the water where most other topical products would get washed off. It takes a while for Blue Kote to wash off. And it's inexpensive too. You may have to treat him every 3-4 days with it till healed though. They are lovely and such a shame they have been dumped, breaks my heart when I hear of this. You might want to get with the other folks who enjoy them and maybe take up a collection to buy some really good water fowl feed and also the Blue Kote so these ducks/goose can be taken care of properly. Please keep us updated on them. and how Sonny is doing

 

[Amiga]

It would be nice if someone would adopt them. Certainly would be easier to diagnose and treat him if he were even in a temporary foster home with Cher and Sheldon.

 

[Dotfur]

Thanks, Everyone. Miss Lydia, Amiga, Hol duck Farmer,

So. it doesn't look like anything typical - not to worry. Ahhrrghgh. I was hoping it was molting or him just picking at himself. It does look infected.
I just knew that I was somehow gonna have to get my hands on him and get him to a vet. He'll never understand: always hold the event against me. Oh well. I'll keep researching. I was hoping thee was some anti - biotic I could throw to him in some food.
I'll have to search for a good avian vet here. We're in the New Hope, Pa area.
He has started coming to me for food from my hand, probably could grab him then.

Thanks again, I'll keep working on this,

Marty


PS: I think they're now happier and better off than if they stayed "domestic," and now are beyond getting adopted" they've made such a life for themselves. But, I'm just learning over the past year about ducks & geese. I'm a dog person.

 

[charlindabob]

Just a guess, but could it be an infected oil gland?

 

[Dotfur]

Hmmmm ? just too much of a newcomer to ducks and geese to say anything. Gotta post these pics to local avian vets, or get a hold of Sonny and take him to a vet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just a guess, but could it be an infected oil gland?

I thought that to but this looks up higher than where the oil gland is.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hmmmm ? just too much of a newcomer to ducks and geese to say anything. Gotta post these pics to local avian vets, or get a hold of Sonny and take him to a vet.

You may think they have been in the wild too long to be adopted but probably not since they are domesticated water fowl not wild they would most likely adapt if they could find a really good person to adopt then and care for them properly. One thing that happens when water fowl get dumped is their nutrition is disgusting, they get fed bread and junk food by those that do come to see them which means poor health and skin problems can arise from poor nutrition also. Or they get fed a diet of corn or scratch which isn't a complete diet either. and during times of stress [winter months especially ] they need extra calories just to make it through the day, then Cher laying eggs that can really deplete her of essential nutrients and if she doesn't get adequate calcium it will come from her bones which can cause health issues. so things they can find in the wild like worms. frogs etc but they still need some kind of water fowl feed to help them maintain good health. They aren't like other water fowl that can fly from place to place looking for the food they need to stay healthy. Domesticated water fowl depend on people.
Please keep us updated on how they are doing. I know you care about them or you wouldn't have come here so I am thankful they have some that cares.