Our Duck Was Attacked, Not Using Legs

[andylegate]

Last night, one of our ducks, James was attacked by dog. I didn't see the attack, but had my niece run in with the duck in her arms to our house and plopped him in my doorway, then ran back out to get the dog.

Inspecting James, looks like he lost some feathers, both wings have a small puncture wound. The only other thing that is wrong is he will not use his legs, but lays flat on his belly. I've inspected his legs, and they do not appear broken. Moving the legs the joints appear to move in the right directions, and moving them does not seem to cause him any pain. However he will not get on the legs at all now.
I placed him in our bathtub, filled with water, and he floats around just find, but does not seem to be using his legs to swim around either.





He's very stressed right now though, and if I reach in to pet him, he snaps at me with his bill, pinching my skin and shaking it furiously with his head. When I lean over the tote to talk gently to him, he quacks quite a bit followed by a a couple of heaving breaths (like a person that's very frustrated will make).

Little back ground: James and his brother Bond (my wife's idea to name them), were given to us along with 6 hens from a neighbor about 6 months ago, fully grown. She didn't really have a lot to do with the ducks, and the ducks have always been very skittish of us. I just feed them and change out their water in the kiddy pool each day (they will come running up to me when I put the food out for them, or when I dump their old water, they love getting into the mud it makes).

There is no way I can take him to a vet. We're poor people and that is something I just can not afford.

Is their anything I can do for him? Outside he can't move too much, except drag himself across the yard with his wings, but if he can't stand on his legs, he's not going to be able to get into the pool, and I know he needs to get into the water.

 

[Bengt747]

There is a possibility for internal damage. While your drake is rather roughed up, I would guess that the stress of the attack is what's bothering him the most right now. There is a chance that he has some greater internal injury, but with any luck when the stress levels decrease, your drake will begin to use his legs again.

I would continue keeping the duck isolated as you have done, offering food and water. After a day or two if his condition seems stable or improving, try to reintroduce him with his flock. A minor bruise or two might slow the drake down, but if he shows extreme interest in being with other ducks, he will not let the injuries slow him down too greatly. He may do a marginal amount of walking at first, but any walking is better than none. It's even possible that when you put him back with the others, he will immediately get up and walk away from you!

If your drake does not seem interested in walking after 2-3 days or attempt to escape the tote, you'll have to figure out what's best for your situation and the duck. If he seems to be suffering, then it may be best to euthanize him. If he simply seems unable to use his legs but is otherwise active around a food dish and digs through the grass, a small pen or enclosure might be best for him. (It wouldn't have to be a big and fancy ordeal, just functional.)

Best of luck!

 

[diamondduck]

You will get alotta good help here

 

[Orca5094]

Bengt747 gave alot of good advice up there. I believe your drake is in shock now, which often causes ducks to go off their legs. Keep him in a safe and quiet place with food, water, and all of his favorite treats and try to leave him alone for awhile. Being inside and so close to people (and not his flock) is also scary and stressful, so you'll need to limit the stress on him now. Hopefully he'll perk up a bit for you in a day or so and you can try him back out with his flock. If there is somewhere you can have him (maybe in a kennel inside your duck house?) so he can still be close to his friends, that would also help. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[andylegate]

Thanks for the replies!

His "flock" consists of him and his brother. That's it.

I do have a type of child's play pen fencing that I can set up and put him in so he's back outside with some sun and shade. I can put him in there with his food and water, but he'll not be able to get into the pond.
You all are most likely right about him not liking being in the house. Neither he or his brother have ever been in here before, so I imagine it's quite strange (and stressful) for him.

Right now I have him back in the tub for a while (it seems to calm him down a bit) with the door closed so he's not disturbed. I'll go get the pen set up for him and get him back out for at least a while.

 

[Orca5094]

Ok, since you just have the two, I think it's definitely the right decision to have him back out next to (or even with his buddy). It's not good for either of them to be alone. Just keep them both in a safe place where they will not be disturbed by any predators (or any other animals that might freak them out), children, or people going by alot. This guy needs to have things calm with his duck buddy in order to break himself out of the shock of being attacked. Having his buddy around eating and drinking next to him should help encourage him to start eating/drinking again as well.

I'm assuming you have a safe duck house somewhere out there for them? Maybe you can keep them in there together until at least tomorrow? Once this guy is up and walking again I think it'd be ok to let them out again. Being with his buddy (and kept calm/quiet of course) should help him recover much more quickly. Don't forget lots of duck treat to entice your injured guy to start eating again asap. Vitamins in their water will probably help alot as well since they tend to start drinking before they start eating. Keep us updated, ok? Good luck!