Puncture wound on duck's neck!!!

[Tapioca]

In a freak accident today, one of my runner ducks got too excited about green peas and jumped against a small gate made of hardware cloth. One of the tines caught her in the neck and she was stuck for a second or two. The wound is about 3 inches beneath her bill above her breast. It is maybe a half inch long. There was a small amount of blood on the actual wound opening under her feathers, but she wasn't actively bleeding. I didn't hear any wheezes so I think it just sliced the skin. I cleaned out and packed it with plenty of neosporin. She is currently acting normal and eating and drinking. A vet visit is out of the question. Is there anything else you guys would recommend besides cleaning the wound and applying the antibiotic ointment? Thank you! I'm actually freaking out about this really badly lol.

 

[Tapioca]

Bump... Any advice appreciated

 

[Amiga]

Hi -

I think you've done pretty well so far - now, is it more like a cut than a puncture wound? That would be better - it may be some where in between.

I would keep her away from flies - they lay eggs in wounds, you may know that already.

I would let her swim in a lukewarm tub of water in part to just cheer her up, part so that you can see how she's feeling, part so it rinses her off and keeps her fairly clean.

Holderread in Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks writes about clipping feathers away from the edge of a wound - it helps you see what's going on and apply topical medicines.

You might consider rinsing the wound with saline solution a few times a day

That hardware cloth - it can help protect the ducks once it is in place, but I declare it wants to maim … and this is evidence of that.

And feel free to post over on the Duck Forum - many experienced duck folks there.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks

 

[Tapioca]

It seemed more like a cut. I'll let her swim in the tub tomorrow and clip some feathers away as you suggested. I've since replaced that gate. It had been there for weeks before this happened. Thank you!

 

[Amiga]

Please keep us posted over on the Duck Forum. If you can keep it clean with saline solution or Vetericyn, and then dab it with antibiotic ointment (without painkiller), keep the flies away, I think she'll heal up pretty quickly.

 

[Tapioca]

I'll grab some vetericyn tomorrow. I think I've seen it at the local Southern States. I've got the neosporin without painkillers. I haven't noticed many flies lately, so that's a plus. Now that she's injured though... lol. It's a relief that you think she'll heal up. I always prepare for the worst. Ty!