my dog attacked my duck please help!

[ducklover87]

Thanks Amiga for all your great help. Her wounds have been clean the best as possible. She most likely is going to make it I'm just worried she might get an infection. She's in the small dog carrier in my bedroom with the door close and while I always let bear sleep with me (my dog, not the attacker) I'm thinking it might be too stressful for her right now to be around a dog. She's on clean towels with fresh water and food. Tomorrow I'll make her some eggs and cut up some kale for her. She was eating mealworms like they were going out of style earlier. She's doing good but keeps biting me, not that I can blame her though. My mom came over and we put triple antibiotic on her for now. We are going to check her over tomorrow and fix her up a bit more. I blame myself so much for this and all the horribleness I'm putting my duck through. I'm hoping she has a quick recovery. Also she was my broody so brought in her eggs and she hasn't taken to them quite as well as when she was outside. But my mom thought it'd be better for her to have them and that it'll give her something to do. Any thoughts?

 

[Amiga]

I agree with your concern about infection.

Ideally, you have or can find a vet who is willing to help by prescribing the best antibiotic for this situation. Since I am not a vet, I cannot strongly recommend any particular variety, just say that there are some threads on BYC that refer to particular antibiotics, including Baytril, Duramycin, penicillin and Tylan.

The balance, as I see it, is between not overmedicating with antibiotics if they are not needed, and staying ahead of potential systemic infection. Since ducks hide illness, in her case, I would lean toward giving her antibiotics.

If a vet is not an option for you, antibiotics can be bought at feed stores.

Take a look at post number 10 in this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...llet-attacked-by-a-raccoon-and-in-need-of-aid

Regarding the eggs, see if she will sit. I would consider firing up an incubator if she doesn't sit.

One of the most difficult parts of loving my ducks has been my own frailties. I forget things sometimes. I get distracted. I make the wrong decisions. So far, none of the ducks has been seriously harmed immediately or to my knowledge due to these things. Yet, there is no guarantee that will never happen. I try to keep that in mind when I read about some injuries and illnesses here.

If it were me, I would talk to the duck about it privately. I am not being funny or sarcastic. It would be a good idea to talk it out, to try to make your peace and express your determination to try to help her heal and to protect her better from this point onward.

(edit to add: I need to be away from the computer until early afternoon today. I will check back in when I can, possibly even again before 9:30 a.m. Prayers and hugs)

 

[Miss Lydia]

How's your duck today ducklover87? according to the med chart I have it's Penicillin that is rec for blood born infections from cuts or scrapes. you can get it at TSC for injection or put into water Powder 1/2to1teas. per 1 gal of water for 8-10 days and be sure to give her a probiotic after treatment because antibiotics kill good and bad bacteria. Hope she is improving.

 

[ducklover87]

I'm going to TSC later today to see if they have any penicillin, if not then I know a vet I can call and make an appointment with. She ended up not sitting on them so I put them in my incubator as I already have that running. I agree with that. I've had this dog for about maybe 2 months now and we are still working on being off a leash and not taking off. He was doing soo good too until yesterday. He decided to take off which is normal and he took off to the cow pasture next door and was having a ball over there which again isn't unusual. So after about a half hr of swearing at him and trying to get him to come to me in the pouring rain without an umbrella I gave up and came back inside, again not unusual. I waited like about 10 mins and then went back out to look for him which usually works and well that's when I found him with Cheese. I called him and he put his head down and sulked over to me and I saw Cheese stand up and she turned around and all I could see was blood. I freaked out and ran and put him inside and I told my bf and he came back out with me to get her and she just stood there and let me pick her up. I was afraid to pick her up cause I didn't know how bad the damage was and I didn't know if i'd hurt her or anything. I brought her in and well you know the rest. I can't believe he did this. I mean he used to chase them but only for like a sec and I'd tell him no and he'd stop and he hasn't done it in awhile so I didn't even really think about it. I don't even know what to do with the dog. I can't even look at him. I haven't touched him since it happened. Everyone's telling me he's still a puppy and he doesn't understand and all that. I just can't agree with that. He knows not to touch the ducks and geese. And maybe I won't feel this way down the road when she's better but right now all I feel is hatred against him. My bf isn't going to let me get rid of him. He said he will just always have to be on a leash and chained up from now on. I don't see that as being a life for a dog. I'm used to my dog where I just let him out and he does his business and comes back in, who leaves the ducks and geese alone and who protects them and watches over them when they are babies. Not do things like this. I hate this so much. I've had many talks with her already. I slept by her cage half of the night. Hi miss lydia was wondering when you were going to pop in She's doing good this morning and is already healing up nicely so i'm going to stick with the triple antibiotic and will get the penicillin later. I'm going to start her on some egg yolks, yogurt, and kale. I'll probably have to throw some mealworms on top so she will eat it. But other than that no new advancements. A few of the real small holes are almost healed up already. She's going to be in recovery so a long time. She's got a lot of feathers to grow back.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm going to TSC later today to see if they have any penicillin, if not then I know a vet I can call and make an appointment with. She ended up not sitting on them so I put them in my incubator as I already have that running. I agree with that. I've had this dog for about maybe 2 months now and we are still working on being off a leash and not taking off. He was doing soo good too until yesterday. He decided to take off which is normal and he took off to the cow pasture next door and was having a ball over there which again isn't unusual. So after about a half hr of swearing at him and trying to get him to come to me in the pouring rain without an umbrella I gave up and came back inside, again not unusual. I waited like about 10 mins and then went back out to look for him which usually works and well that's when I found him with Cheese. I called him and he put his head down and sulked over to me and I saw Cheese stand up and she turned around and all I could see was blood. I freaked out and ran and put him inside and I told my bf and he came back out with me to get her and she just stood there and let me pick her up. I was afraid to pick her up cause I didn't know how bad the damage was and I didn't know if i'd hurt her or anything. I brought her in and well you know the rest. I can't believe he did this. I mean he used to chase them but only for like a sec and I'd tell him no and he'd stop and he hasn't done it in awhile so I didn't even really think about it. I don't even know what to do with the dog. I can't even look at him. I haven't touched him since it happened. Everyone's telling me he's still a puppy and he doesn't understand and all that. I just can't agree with that. He knows not to touch the ducks and geese. And maybe I won't feel this way down the road when she's better but right now all I feel is hatred against him. My bf isn't going to let me get rid of him. He said he will just always have to be on a leash and chained up from now on. I don't see that as being a life for a dog. I'm used to my dog where I just let him out and he does his business and comes back in, who leaves the ducks and geese alone and who protects them and watches over them when they are babies. Not do things like this. I hate this so much. I've had many talks with her already. I slept by her cage half of the night. Hi miss lydia was wondering when you were going to pop in She's doing good this morning and is already healing up nicely so i'm going to stick with the triple antibiotic and will get the penicillin later. I'm going to start her on some egg yolks, yogurt, and kale. I'll probably have to throw some mealworms on top so she will eat it. But other than that no new advancements. A few of the real small holes are almost healed up already. She's going to be in recovery so a long time. She's got a lot of feathers to grow back.

I'm sorry about this happening, My Mini dachshund who has been around the flock since he was 12 weeks old [he is 4 yrs now]. couldn't stop himself last year when he got one of out 2 week old ducklings, Killed it and brought it inside the house. Totally my fault I left the gate open. I have rethought my security since then and my dogs are not allowed to be around babies at all their prey drive is just to high. Puppies need to be watched all the time and I do not like a dog chained I think it actually makes their behavior worse, I would not let him outside with being on a long line or leash, maybe look up Cesar Milan and see if he has any tips on training young dogs around feathered animals. I have fencing that keeps my dogs separate from my flock and they are only out with them when we can be there. I hope Cheese gets over this and most likely she will it's amazing what they can come back from. I'd keep a close eye on those wounds that close up quick though they are the ones that can get infected because they aren't draining. I think an antibiotic is appropriate for this. Maybe you can pick up some Veterycin for the future hopefully not from a dog attack but it is just wonderful stuff to have on hand especially if the wound it too big to cover properly or too open to use triple antibiotic, it comes in a spray so you never have to touch the wound other when first cleaning. I am thinking about you and Cheese and hoping for the best. info on Veterycin http://vetericyn.com/

 

[ducklover87]

I'm sorry about this happening, My Mini dachshund who has been around the flock since he was 12 weeks old [he is 4 yrs now]. couldn't stop himself last year when he got one of out 2 week old ducklings, Killed it and brought it inside the house. Totally my fault I left the gate open. I have rethought my security since then and my dogs are not allowed to be around babies at all their prey drive is just to high. Puppies need to be watched all the time and I do not like a dog chained I think it actually makes their behavior worse, I would not let him outside with being on a long line or leash, maybe look up Cesar Milan and see if he has any tips on training young dogs around feathered animals. I have fencing that keeps my dogs separate from my flock and they are only out with them when we can be there. I hope Cheese gets over this and most likely she will it's amazing what they can come back from. I'd keep a close eye on those wounds that close up quick though they are the ones that can get infected because they aren't draining. I think an antibiotic is appropriate for this. Maybe you can pick up some Veterycin for the future hopefully not from a dog attack but it is just wonderful stuff to have on hand especially if the wound it too big to cover properly or too open to use triple antibiotic, it comes in a spray so you never have to touch the wound other when first cleaning. I am thinking about you and Cheese and hoping for the best. info on Veterycin http://vetericyn.com/

Thanks Miss Lydia. I agree with you I don't like the chains. I do have him on a leash when I bring him out to go to the bathroom. Once I get the new coop built I'm building pens so that this wont happen again. I hate the thought of penning the ducks and geese but for now it's what needs to be done. Maybe when he gets older he won't be so bad. I will give him a search and see what he's got. He must have something with all the work he does with different dogs. She's had a rough life my little Cheese has. She was the runt of my original 6 ducks. They are all gone now except her. 2 of them died and I had to get rid of the other 3 because the 2 boys would mate only her and the other girl was in on it too so I sent them away and they had already done damage by the time I was able to find them a good home. She has a crooked tail now, I'm not sure if it's her spine or her hips that got messed up but it hasn't effected her in any way and the vet said she'd be fine and to just keep a good eye on her which I have. Her wounds have healed up nice and I'm headed to tractor supply to get the penicillin. I called the vet and he agreed that it would a good thing to do and that if she gets any worse or anything happens to call him no matter the time and he will do the best he can for her. He doesn't usually treat ducks but has a colleague that does deal with them so if I ever need anything he can give him a call and get back to me. The tractor supply up here doesn't carry it for some reason. Only on occasion have I seen it around. So I use a saline solution instead. I was surprised when they told me it wasn't something they carried regularly. Thank you so much Miss Lydia. I will keep everyone updated through this whole thing. How long do think it'll be before her feathers start to grow back? She's missing a lot of them. All under her wings and down her back to just above her tail is bare. And should I keep her inside until they grow back?

 

[Amiga]

ducklover87,

Glad she is starting to heal. Be on the lookout the next couple of days for any new symptoms. I would keep her in at least until the wounds close over. Refeathering could take a little longer. What are the temperatures like?

I find that the feed stores around me don't often carry things that those in other parts of the country keep on the shelves. Demand, I guess.

We need to scoot. I will check back later tonight.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Miss Lydia. I agree with you I don't like the chains. I do have him on a leash when I bring him out to go to the bathroom. Once I get the new coop built I'm building pens so that this wont happen again. I hate the thought of penning the ducks and geese but for now it's what needs to be done. Maybe when he gets older he won't be so bad. I will give him a search and see what he's got. He must have something with all the work he does with different dogs. She's had a rough life my little Cheese has. She was the runt of my original 6 ducks. They are all gone now except her. 2 of them died and I had to get rid of the other 3 because the 2 boys would mate only her and the other girl was in on it too so I sent them away and they had already done damage by the time I was able to find them a good home. She has a crooked tail now, I'm not sure if it's her spine or her hips that got messed up but it hasn't effected her in any way and the vet said she'd be fine and to just keep a good eye on her which I have. Her wounds have healed up nice and I'm headed to tractor supply to get the penicillin. I called the vet and he agreed that it would a good thing to do and that if she gets any worse or anything happens to call him no matter the time and he will do the best he can for her. He doesn't usually treat ducks but has a colleague that does deal with them so if I ever need anything he can give him a call and get back to me. The tractor supply up here doesn't carry it for some reason. Only on occasion have I seen it around. So I use a saline solution instead. I was surprised when they told me it wasn't something they carried regularly. Thank you so much Miss Lydia. I will keep everyone updated through this whole thing. How long do think it'll be before her feathers start to grow back? She's missing a lot of them. All under her wings and down her back to just above her tail is bare. And should I keep her inside until they grow back?

Has she started molting yet for this year? if not then when she completely molts she will grow all her new feathers in together. Most of mine are in molt or are beginning to start. Bless her heart she has had a rough go of it, Sounds like a real survivor. As for the Veterycin you can order on line. Most online stores that carry poultry products carry it. How many ducks do you have besides her or is she your only duck? and like Amiga said I'd at least keep her in while she heals, and if she has others to cuddle with after that to keep her warm then she can most likely go back after wounds are healed. You may have to spray Blue Kote on her to keep the others from messing with her though. Thanks for keeping us updated on how she is doing, and hoping your recovering too.

.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

My KC duck had a wicked tear injury from a drake. I had no idea until I noticed she was hiding out away from the flock. Not the same thing at all, but I just wanted to offer encouragement. I washed mine perhaps 2 or 3 times in warm ES, and just kept providing clean bath water and vitamins in drinking water, and she was very healed up within just 2 weeks.

 

[ducklover87]

ducklover87,

Glad she is starting to heal. Be on the lookout the next couple of days for any new symptoms.  I would keep her in at least until the wounds close over.  Refeathering could take a little longer.  What are the temperatures like?

I find that the feed stores around me don't often carry things that those in other parts of the country keep on the shelves.  Demand, I guess.

We need to scoot.  I will check back later tonight. Temps are cold its higher 60s maybe low 70s during the day and night is anywhere between 50 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. I have a heater in my room and its set to keep the room at 72° F. I figured that would be a good temp for her.

She will be inside until I feel she's ready to go out. I wanna keep her in for at least as long as I have to do penicillin shots. For the penicillin how much do I use and for how long and where do I administer it? I'll be doing Google searches of this but someone might know here.