Need help with injured Muscovy drake!

[SweetJane]

Hey guys,

About 5 nights ago one of our boys was attacked on the neck and dragged by a Quoll. He took skin and feathers off the back of his neck:

I am not sure if he has sprained the neck muscles or even broken it maybe because his head is somewhat floppy unless he's drinking/ eating his broth, or sitting down normally, which he hasn't wanted to do for the last day now.

When he's eating he seems like it isn't broken and can move it down and up. I've got him in the tub surrounded by towels and pillows because he goes through periods of frustration and flapping around, falling backwards and hitting his head on the tub. It's very distressing for both of us.

I have made up an electrolyte mix which he likes, a no-salt fish stock with cabbage, celery and some old tuna steaks we had in the freezer. He seems to enjoy it. I also made him a soup out of sweet potato and frozen peas, pureed and thinned with water which he likes too. He won't eat anything solid and I am worried he isn't getting enough protein and even food in general. I have some whey protein powder, would that be okay/ beneficial to give him a little mixed with water?

How long could his recovery take? I read a similar story on here and they seemed to think a couple of weeks before the neck came good again? We can't really afford a vet bill, and he seems promising other than his floppy head at certain angles and wanting to keep it tucked under his wing while he stands up awkwardly like so:
Is him standing with his head back like this bad for him? He seems to want to go all the way back but it can't be good for him. He won't sit down normally at all now, and I am worried he is hurting his neck further and dragging out the healing process. Any advice on how to encourage him to sit again or if I should just let him be? I had him propped up with some towels so I could feed him when I took the pic, he is normally further backwards with his head under his wing.

Any help or advice is extremely appreciated as I don't want to give up on him, he's a sweet boy and being so well behaved considering. Plus I feel like his neck isn't broken and all is not lost, but I'm not an expert.

Thanks so much! <3

 

[nchls school]

If he can control his head movements at all the neck is not broken. Likely muscles and nerves are damaged. The best I can tell you is keep the neck clean and sterilized. Keep doing what you are. Time. Birds usually heal fast. Good luck.

 

[SweetJane]

Okay, thank you for the quick response. It's nice to know I am doing something right. It's been a stressful week.

 

[Jpat]

Yeah thats an awesome job!

Lots of rest and see if he will eat wet duck food, itll have alot more nutrients he needs

And a bird vitamine like prime would help too

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

So sorry! I hope he recovers! It sounds like you are doing a great job!

 

[SweetJane]

I am definitely looking into getting some vitamins, and will give the wet duck food a go. Thanks so much for the suggestions! He's got his Good Vibes - Binaural Beats playing off YouTube and is sleeping comfortably at the moment.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Your a good Ducky Mama!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Aww bless that looks awfully painful. Good job getting him comfortable. Hope he makes a full recovery.

 

[Misfits Farm 92]

I once used a toilet paper tube instead of a neck brace for one of my chickens. The chickens neck wasn't actually broken though. All I did was cut it in half then carefully tape it back together around the chickens neck. The chicken healed up in just a few days.

 

[SweetJane]

Thanks so much guys! His mobility is slowly coming back, he is flopping around much less, although is still unstable on his feet. However he is usually able to set himself right again. He is also eating solids again which is a relief!

I did notice today that his caruncles seem deflated. Is this a symptom of anemia?