My friend called this morning and one of his ducks was attacked last night and her bill mangled. Just fyi, this is a GREAT duck owner, and they keep the ducks locked up every night and only free range them when they can be outside with them. But last night their pre-teen son, who is usually incredibly responsible, got distracted and forgot to put them up. He is the one who went outside this morning to take care of them and found one of them in bad shape. Poor kid! And poor duck!
Anyway, the duck appears undamaged except around her mouth (isn't that weird? What would do that?). I haven't seen her yet, but he's going to email me a picture and I'll post it when I have it. I'm also going over there later this morning to see what I can do to help. He brought her inside into the bathtub to keep her clean. He says she bled a lot but the bleeding has stopped. Now she is just resting in the water and not drinking or talking or eating.
I told him to keep her there, but give her company from another duck, and give her the option to come out of the water if possible. I believe the greatest dangers to the duck are dehydration and infection. So I'm going to look up antibiotic use for ducks (I've never done it myself, so I don't know dosages or types or anything--please post here if you have that info, otherwise I'll find it in another thread), and I told him to keep an eye and make sure she starts drinking within the next few hours. When she does, I suggested that he offer her a soft paste of mixed food and water to eat/drink.
A vet is probably out of the question. For one thing, I don't know that there are any in our area that would have a clue--I have trouble finding one to treat my goats, let alone ducks. Secondly, like many folks, they're having trouble in this economy and probably can't manage the bills.
So, here are my questions:
* Is there any other basic care he should be providing?
* Should we try to clean up the bill? She doesn't like it to be touched, so he hasn't even washed it, and she's not drinking so it's not getting clean. She he force her to wet it? Should he try to gently wipe it clean? Or can we assume that since she bled a lot, it more or less cleaned itself and now should be left alone to heal?
* Should we try to trim the mangled parts of the bill? Do ducks have a lot of nerve endings in their bills? The tongue is damaged too, and I know better than to try and "operate" on the tongue (that would be a vet's job if we had a decent one), but would it be beneficial to try and trim the mangled parts of the bill in order give it cleaner edges for better healing?
Thanks for any help you can provide. They really love their ducks and will appreciate the assistance! Thanks!
Anyway, the duck appears undamaged except around her mouth (isn't that weird? What would do that?). I haven't seen her yet, but he's going to email me a picture and I'll post it when I have it. I'm also going over there later this morning to see what I can do to help. He brought her inside into the bathtub to keep her clean. He says she bled a lot but the bleeding has stopped. Now she is just resting in the water and not drinking or talking or eating.
I told him to keep her there, but give her company from another duck, and give her the option to come out of the water if possible. I believe the greatest dangers to the duck are dehydration and infection. So I'm going to look up antibiotic use for ducks (I've never done it myself, so I don't know dosages or types or anything--please post here if you have that info, otherwise I'll find it in another thread), and I told him to keep an eye and make sure she starts drinking within the next few hours. When she does, I suggested that he offer her a soft paste of mixed food and water to eat/drink.
A vet is probably out of the question. For one thing, I don't know that there are any in our area that would have a clue--I have trouble finding one to treat my goats, let alone ducks. Secondly, like many folks, they're having trouble in this economy and probably can't manage the bills.
So, here are my questions:
* Is there any other basic care he should be providing?
* Should we try to clean up the bill? She doesn't like it to be touched, so he hasn't even washed it, and she's not drinking so it's not getting clean. She he force her to wet it? Should he try to gently wipe it clean? Or can we assume that since she bled a lot, it more or less cleaned itself and now should be left alone to heal?
* Should we try to trim the mangled parts of the bill? Do ducks have a lot of nerve endings in their bills? The tongue is damaged too, and I know better than to try and "operate" on the tongue (that would be a vet's job if we had a decent one), but would it be beneficial to try and trim the mangled parts of the bill in order give it cleaner edges for better healing?
Thanks for any help you can provide. They really love their ducks and will appreciate the assistance! Thanks!
