need advice on treating ducks that were attacked

[cymbaline]

Kind of a funny story for everyone. So the two healthy ducks are barricaded in the dining room (really the other side of a large eat-in kitchen), and the "hospital" is in my master bath. I got up the morning and went to use the bathroom. As I'm sitting there, Dexter comes trotting in, with Ruby right behind him, lol. Not sure if they were looking for me or the other ducks (most likely the other ducks, haha), but they flew over the barricade, went through the kitchen, living room, entryway, & my bedroom, and found us.

 

[cymbaline]

Makes sense really, wouldn't want wounds reopened in potentially 'dirty' water.
Best of Duck Luck!

When I left for the vet yesterday I had put Dexter and Ruby Sue in the guest bathtub for safekeeping. Before I put any of the injured ducks in to swim, I scrubbed it with Lysol cleaner. But, ducks being ducks, they dirtied it quickly, so that logic still sticks, despite a freshly sanitized tub. I did try though, and when I tried to rinse them I filled the cup from tap and not the tub water.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Kind of a funny story for everyone. So the two healthy ducks are barricaded in the dining room (really the other side of a large eat-in kitchen), and the "hospital" is in my master bath. I got up the morning and went to use the bathroom. As I'm sitting there, Dexter comes trotting in, with Ruby right behind him, lol. Not sure if they were looking for me or the other ducks (most likely the other ducks, haha), but they flew over the barricade, went through the kitchen, living room, entryway, & my bedroom, and found us.

That is so precious they wanted to be with their flock and you are part of it. How are they doing this morning. I always think mink or weasel when someone says small opening but seems I sound like a broken record so I didn’t mention it glad Cayuga Momma did because most likely that was what it was and feeding young this time of year would mean taking kill back to den. Still don’t know how it could have gotten a full size duck out with out leaving blood, feathers behind in that area. If you can get a game camera or borrow one you maybe able to see exactly what it is because most likely it will return.

 

[cymbaline]

That is so precious they wanted to be with their flock and you are part of it. How are they doing this morning. I always think mink or weasel when someone says small opening but seems I sound like a broken record so I didn’t mention it glad Cayuga Momma did because most likely that was what it was and feeding young this time of year would mean taking kill back to den. Still don’t know how it could have gotten a full size duck out with out leaving blood, feathers behind in that area. If you can get a game camera or borrow one you maybe able to see exactly what it is because most likely it will return.

My current theory is a mink or weasel came in through the rat holes and exited next to the door. I think it would've been difficult to get in that way bc the wire is stapled to the outside but once they were in I see how they could've pushed through
They seem about the same this morning. Don't think anyone is eating yet, but they're drinking pretty reliably, so I guess that's good. Blanche worries me a little - she's more still and quiet, not sure I've heard her make a noise yet. But I've seen her get up and drink more than anybody, so maybe it's just a personality thing...the other two have always been a bit "jumpier".
Edit: Somebody laid an egg! I thought surely if they're too stressed/hurt to eat, they wouldn't be laying. Guess I was wrong, lol.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You have their antibiotic in their water? Eventually when they begin to eat wetting the feed with warm water might help by making it soupy. Hopefully by days end they will be feeling better.

 

[cymbaline]

You have their antibiotic in their water? Eventually when they begin to eat wetting the feed with warm water might help by making it soupy. Hopefully by days end they will be feeling better.

Yep. I was worried they didn't like the taste and wouldn't drink enough so overnight I left some regular water with them too. I figure I'd rather them not get some meds (that they may or may not need) than get dehydrated right now. Then this morning I got the idea to put the medicated water in a large glass measuring cup so I can see exactly how much they drink today.
I wondered if I should do that or if they'd prefer to wet it themselves. May do both later - bowl of dry and a small bowl of mash, just in case.

 

[Duckworth]

Oh my goodness! That sounds horrific...your poor babies...sorry you all had to go through that Good job on the recovery!
The side of Rose's face is a little swollen, and he did have some trouble getting her to open her bill at first, but she finally did and he was satisfied. It's not even bad enough to affect her sight on that side though.

That is the type of injury my least injured duck had. She is completely fine, now. I hope your Rose will recover quickly and without incident.

I think the most important thing I did was to get vet care quickly and to do whatever we could to minimize trauma and give a warm, calm place for them to recover from shock. This is why I only applied the warm wash clothes when I had to handle my ducks to give the antibiotic. I was super gentle in wiping dissolved blood off of their feathers. I made sure they had drinking water deep enough to dunk their heads, which allowed them to rub the dried blood off of their heads while they were preening.

 

[Duckworth]

Edit: Somebody laid an egg! I thought surely if they're too stressed/hurt to eat, they wouldn't be laying. Guess I was wrong, lol.

BTW, my vet told me not to use any eggs laid within two weeks of my ducks being given any antibiotics.

 

[cymbaline]

That is the type of injury my least injured duck had. She is completely fine, now. I hope your Rose will recover quickly and without incident.

I think the most important thing I did was to get vet care quickly and to do whatever we could to minimize trauma and give a warm, calm place for them to recover from shock. This is why I only applied the warm wash clothes when I had to handle my ducks to give the antibiotic. I was super gentle in wiping dissolved blood off of their feathers. I made sure they had drinking water deep enough to dunk their heads, which allowed them to rub the dried blood off of their heads while they were preening.

I've definitely got all of that down - I only pop in every couple hours to check on them, otherwise they are cozy warm and undisturbed. I don't know if I'm gonna try to wipe the blood off again or not... I didn't feel like I could put very much pressure at all before it upset them, so it didn't really do anything. I'll let them swim in a warm bath again later and see if they're any more interested in cleaning themselves up... I think it'll be difficult for them to preen like usual though, given the location of the wounds (or at least where the most blood is - I still have no idea what kind of wounds they actually have). They may at least dunk their heads a bit and get it softened up, I dunno.
And yeah, I saw that somewhere about not eating the eggs... good thing I have a massive stockpile.

BTW, still no sign of Billie Sue, but the comment from @Chelsa'sChicks about the ducks showing back up after hiding for a couple of days after the attack gives me a teeny bit of hope (that I fully realize is probably a big mistake to have, but this is so utterly depressing that I really need a little hope right now). She can fly - I hadn't clipped her wings yet - so I mean... maybe? *sigh*

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you have any ponds or lakes or rivers close by there’s always the possibility she may have gone there.