Pekin bitten by Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) PLEASE HELP!

[amymae1100]

Lefty, my Pekin drake, was bit last night by a confirmed cottonmouth, he never would get into the coop last night which I thought very strange, then this morning I found him sitting in his pond (he stayed in there all night) his face is swollen, he is wheezing a little and shaking. He shows interest in eating mealworms but doesn't seem to be able to get them down. He is drinking very little water. I have him in my bathroom now, as it is very hot outside and my female pekin won't leave him alone. Can I treat him and how?

 

[subhanalah]

Benadryl and a vet for antivenin, if they would even use it for a duck.

 

[subhanalah]

But for sure get some benadryl into him ASAP! If it swells too much, it could burst open and cause even more damage

 

[amymae1100]

How much Benadryl? We are way out in the country and the two vets I know of and called said they do not treat birds?!

 

[subhanalah]

I really couldn't say for sure. Birds metabolizes things so much more quickly than humans. I would think that one 25 mg pill would be a good place to start?

If you don't see the swelling go down after 15-20 minutes, give more.

 

[amymae1100]

Will try a quarter dose of childrens Benadryl and see if it helps. Thank you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Will try a quarter dose of childrens Benadryl and see if it helps. Thank you!

I'd say for sure child's dose Hope he recovers.

 

[subhanalah]

You can give a 15 pound dog 25 mg every 12 hours, maybe more under a vet's guidance.

 

[Amykins]

He needs to get to a vet ASAP. Even with antivenin, it can only stop further damage from occurring, it can't reverse the damage already done. I'm assuming it wasn't a fully envenomated bite, because if it were there's no way a duck could survive that from a Cottonmouth. Their venom is not neurotoxic, it is proteolytic, meaning it is designed to break down tissues rather than just paralyze their prey.

He needs antivenin (if they have it, which I doubt) but also anti-inflammatories, probably some blood clotting medication and antibiotics to prevent infections of the dissolved tissues at the wound site.

 

[subhanalah]

Prednisone to shut down his immune system was going to be my suggestion, and IV antibiotics.