My duck broke his wing! HELP!!

[LindseyM12]

Quote:
No because we were reading there website and they said that they wont help any pet bird unless you surrender it...

I am not surrendering my duck!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay I didn't realize that, well I hope he heals nicely for you.

 

[dumb_cluck]

Here's more info on the wing: (sounds like your guy has broken fingers and/or wrist. He may never fly again.)

The wings are composed of the humerus or upper arm, and the radius or ulna, which makes up the forearm with wrist, and hand bones. The forearm supports the secondary feathers, and the fused wrist, and hand bones support the primary feathers. The joints have added strength because they have limited movement.

 

[Sumatra503]

I had a similar experience with a chicken. He injured his wing at the Fair. The on call vet took a look and it was just a bruise, no tendon damage or anything. He held his wing in a droopy mannor and wouldn't pick it up and even when he did it just flopped down again.

You need to examine his wing closely. Start by holding him on his back so that you can see the entire underside of his wing. Have someone help you if need be. Look for any dark purple or blue discolorations or any visible swelling. If you don't see any run your hand down the entire length of the wing feeling every bone and tendon for lumps. If you see a bruise or swelling feel the area around it. Often the injury, if there is one, will be toward the center of the swell or bruise. If there is a break you will feel a slight bump or knot that seems out of place, you may even see the break or feel the bone press against the skin. If there is no discoloration and you do not feel or see any signs of a break, then there most likely isn't one.

If he looks and feels fine, but is still holding his wing in a bad position and dragging it you will need to tie it up for a couple of days so that he can rest up. You can do this several ways.

The easiest is to cut the end off of a nylon stalking to make a tube. Cut a whole in one side of the stalking for the other wing to go through, so he can still use it. The other wing will remain inside the staking and be supported. Be sure the wing is in a natural position to ensure no further damage is done to it.

You can also wrap vet wrap around the injured wing to huld it up. Go underneath the good wing and wrap the injured one up tightly. Be sure he can still breath, but keep his wing immobilized. You can also use a bra, a pair of old elastic undies, an old shirt, etc. to tie up the wing.


Be sure you keep him separated from the flock, but where he can't see or hear them and panic. Give him lots of food, but only a small dish of water. No bathing water. Be sure the cage is fairly small to keep him from moving around.

 

[Sumatra503]

How is he doing?

 

[waterfowlrescue]

Just for the future reference - We will usually give out advice on how to do something like wrap a wing. Mosty people seem to think we are here to provide free service to their pets and thats not our purpose. We do our best to help but our policy for surrender is in place because many times ducks are injured due to neglect or abuse and people want them back. If someone is a good responsible owner and is just having a hard time paying for a vet we will work something out. Offer a donation or some volunteer time so we know your not just one of the regular freeloaders trying to take advntage.

and just in case someone takes this literall you cant splint with popcicles, i think she meant popcicle sticks. I find with wings they can generally be folded in the normal posiiton and taped to the body and the bones lining up provide enough splinting on their own. I just broke my finger and they used the two fingers on each side to splint it, so i guess if its good enough for us, its good enough for the ducks!

Its not like your bird needs to fly, domestic ducks do just fine as long as it heals and your fracture doesnt have movement. When your rehabbing birds that reply on flught the techniques are more important.

I realize this is old, hope your duck turned out ok.