Mangled duck bill

[WestKnollAmy]

Whoa! That is pretty serious! I am surprised the shock alone hasn't sent the poor dear over the edge.
I am the boat with the others. This is much more serious than expected and putting her through the pain of trying to survive would be really bad. I doubt she would make it or ever live a normal life again. I am all for trying to save a beloved pet but not at the expense of a sad life.
My heart goes out to you all!

 

[FenDruadin]

Okay. I hear what you all are saying, and you may well be right. But I want to know if there are conflicting opinions. I've seen pictures of ducks in really awful shape that recovered and lived normal lives, so I want to know if that is something worth holding out hope for. I've also met ducks who were missing half their bill and got along fine in life.

I agree about her nostrils being damaged. She is breathing fine, but one nostril is plugged with dried blood and the other has mucous and wet blood in it, and the breath sounds *very slightly* raspy. I had not considered about the internal bacterial infection, but if we were to continue to try to help her, that may be a strong argument for giving her some systemic antibiotics.

If it is indeed time to euthanize, is there a more palatable method than decapitation? I know how to help with that if it's the best option, but would it be possible to give her an overdose of pain killers and let her go that way, for instance? Or might that just cause additional trauma? What are the options?

And again, is there anyone that thinks this duck might make it and that it is worth trying?

 

[KansasKid]

I know you already said that they want to avoid going to the vet, but he would be able to do it quickly and quietly, but still i wonder i much he would charge to put it down? might call the local vet and see.

 

[FenDruadin]

Okay, I just got a call from Carolina Waterfowl Rescue with some very helpful news. It sounds like they may be able to help her one way or another. I'll keep everyone updated...

BTW--I don't know why I didn't think of calling them earlier, but it was my 9-year-old who remembered that we had adopted a goose from them and suggested that I call them. Thank goodness for the smarts of a kid!

(edited to add a link to Carolina Waterfowl Rescue)

 

[desertdarlene]

I hope they can help. Perhaps there's some kind of ducky plastic surgery that can be done as long as nothing else is wrong with her otherwise.

 

[katharinad]

Good to get another professional opinion. We all cross our fingers for good news.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Poor duck.

Thats just so sad. Im sure the son is feeling so awful about what has happened too. He must be devastated.

Kasia recently had a duck with a bill that was badly damaged like this duck- I think even more so from memory as I think it was taken off from above the nostrils. She had to try to tube feed it. Sadly the duck was too badly injured to survive.

I hope the CWR can help - but this poor duck will need very intensive care to survive this- and if she lives long enough to heal- she would most likely still need assistance with eating. I have read of some of the amazing things they have done there- and at least they may be able to give her a chance.

 

[Caprice_Acres]

I would put the poor thing down. There may be a possibility of survival but I find doing an objective, cost-benefit analysis of the situation is most beneficial to all. Try not to let feelings get in the way. Most people are too afraid of death to see clearly in situations where an animal is suffering to a point the need to be put down. The HUMAN doesn't want to loose the PET, so they extend the life of the animal, sometimes to the detriment of it's well-being, for the sake of keeping the pet around for a little longer.

To me, it wouldn't be worth the pain, suffering, and stress that it would take for the poor animal to heal. I know I wouldn't want to rely on an ASPRIN for pain relief if my face looked like that. Asprin is also a blood thinner which may make her bleed again. I imagine feedings, administrations of medications etc and anything on an oral route is going to be horridly painful procedures for the poor thing.

Avoiding infection with animals as messy as ducks would also be nearly impossible, IMO.

Not to mention it will not ever be able to eat the same again, so will likely be low on the pecking order and be constantly pushed around by the other ducks. It will likely eat slower and less than all the other ducks, and may loose condition even once it heals.

I'm not saying that it won't survive - it very well could. I just wouldn't be able to justify the pain it's in now and through recovery just so it lives on to have what will likely be a less than ideal life.

 

[pirtykitty]

Have you heard from Carolina Rescue Yet and what options have the given you for helping her....

 

[froggiesheins]

OHMYGOSH, how horrible....I honestly don't see how this could be repaired with out considerablePAIN to the poor ducky and expense. And then will he be able to have any use out of it? If it were my ducky I would take him to the vet and have him painlessly put down. I am so sorry for your grief over this awful incident. I cried when I saw his picture. Please keep all us BYC'ers updated on him. My heart goes out to you...