Need some help!

[rubberduckies]

Something got to my friends duck and hurt his eye. She's been asking me what to do but the only thing I know to tell her is keep a clean bucket of water for him to clean his head in. She said she hasn't seen him eat or drink and he seems really tired. Which is not at all how he normally acts. And she said he onviously cant see out of that eye because hes been running into stuff on that side. She's worried that he'll die. She doesn't have money for a vet and honestly I don't know of any vets around that would see a duck. Is there anything she can do for him?

This is Max...

 

[GloryGirl]

I'm no expert, but I have books and love to read.

From Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks by Dave Holderread on eye injuries

Treatment. Usually, time and protection from further injury are all that is required. Twice-
daily application of an antibiotic ophthalmic ointment to an injured eye sometimes speeds
healing. Some people have reported good results from using the NFZ Puffer. The applicator is
shaken and the powdered nitrofurazone is "puffed" into the bird's eye. To prevent accidentally
inhaling or getting the powder in your own eyes, and to ensure that the medication gets in the
patient's eye, only use the puffer in a protected area out of the wind. Use in an area where
drifting medication cannot contaminate drinking water.


Has your friend checked his pen thoroughly to be sure there are no sharp bits sticking out anywhere, like a bent wire or splintered wood? I'd hate for something similar or worse to happen to his friends.

I have also seen on here the following recommendations for injured birds:

A quiet place to be alone, like a dog kennel
Electrolytes and vitamins added to water
Apple cider vinegar added to water
Warm bath for observation and recovery

Hopefully, Max will recover soon.

 

[Amiga]

I cannot say for sure, but he may have an infection, or virus. GloryGirl covered just about what I could come up with. Get him into sick bay, look him over very closely - the eye may not be the only injury. Let us know if there are any other wounds. If they have gotten infected, he may need oral antibiotics which can be bought at feed stores.

But I am not a vet and cannot tell you what would be best - we don't want to use antibiotics when they are not necessary, or use an ineffective one.

A bath in lukewarm water, and look him over very well. Saline solution sprayed gently in and around the eye may help.

 

[rubberduckies]

Thanks for all the advice! She kept water available and I think he just needed time to heal. Max is doing great now!

 

[Amiga]

 

[GloryGirl]

Thanks for updating us! Glad he's doing better.