putting together a duck first aid kit, any suggustions?

[Ratchnick]

If it has not been mentioned, clotting agent aka styptic powder.

 

[Pekin duck mom]

If it has not been mentioned, clotting agent aka styptic powder.

Ok, so I looked up styptic powder and all it came up with is styptic powder for dogs and cats. Is it the same thing or is there a specific kind for poultry?

 

[Ratchnick]

Ok, so I looked up styptic powder and all it came up with is styptic powder for dogs and cats. Is it the same thing or is there a specific kind for poultry?

Its the same.

 

[FunnyfarmMidwest]

Yes!!! @Isaac 0 suggested Terrimycin as well! I actually could have used all of these on Lucky (my duck that passed away). I wasn't very educated on duck diseases as they are my first ducks so he got bad before I knew what to do.

We learn from our experiences. You are now better educated if you ever run into a problem again. So sorry about Lucky. I’m sure you did your best and gave him a good life.

 

[Ratchnick]

I would suggest having a feeding tube. If a duck gets to the point of needing one, you won't have much time to get it before the duck will die from dehydration and starvation. I lost one duck this way and wished I had a way to tube feed it.

I asked @Isaac 0 about this before, he also suggested activated charcoal. Do we have an article on this? Because I feel like we need one of we don't have any.

Great idea! It sucks running around town trying to find supplies for tube feeding. I ended up having to make a tube because i couldnt get one without a scrip and vets wouldnt take ducks in town.

 

[Isaac 0]

This thread has a comprehensive list of supplies.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit-updated-8-01-2020.1150128/

Building a medical supply isn't something you can often accomplish over a week's spans, it's something you can gain from experience dealing with birds. Preventatively getting supplies is a great idea, but they're always be one "thing" you don't have on hand for that occasion.

Vet wrap, gauze, poultry vitamins, etc, are wonderful to have on hand, but in most scenarios are readily accessible. Conversely, tube feeding supplies often takes time to get and are invaluable to have directly on-hand. Hanging out on the medical part of the forums, not being able to get tube feeding supplies to maintain nutritional, and hydration status seems to be the number one thing people aren't able to get, which ultimately leads to the demise of their bird. The same goes for antibiotics, such as Baytril. You can info on tube-feeding here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-ducks-updated-5-7-2020.1211994/

if you have a close relationship with your vet, or know someone who has a prescription for IV fluids, that is also something great to have on hand. You can make your own using a pressure cooker, but the sterility part may be questioned.

One can make a simple nebulization chamber, using a nebulizer, and plastic tote for a minimal cost. That can aid in the treatment of several conditions, such as aspergillus, infectious bronchitis, pneumonia, egg binding, and most other respiratory diseases.

 

[Pekin duck mom]

We learn from our experiences. You are now better educated if you ever run into a problem again. So sorry about Lucky. I’m sure you did your best and gave him a good life.

I tried my best. He was definitely a fighter!! The main issue was niacin deficiency. I hadn't heard of that before so I just treated it as a broken leg because thats what I thought it was. He lived about 9 months but developed sticky eye, wet feather, bumble foot along the way and @Isaac 0 taught me how to treat them! It just wasn't Gods will for him to live any longer. He shouldn't have lived as long as he did but I'm grateful that God let me have more time with him before he passed. Thank you for your help and have a blessed day!!

 

[Pekin duck mom]

This thread has a comprehensive list of supplies.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit-updated-8-01-2020.1150128/

Building a medical supply isn't something you can often accomplish over a week's spans, it's something you can gain from experience dealing with birds. Preventatively getting supplies is a great idea, but they're always be one "thing" you don't have on hand for that occasion.

Vet wrap, gauze, poultry vitamins, etc, are wonderful to have on hand, but in most scenarios are readily accessible. Conversely, tube feeding supplies often takes time to get and are invaluable to have directly on-hand. Hanging out on the medical part of the forums, not being able to get tube feeding supplies to maintain nutritional, and hydration status seems to be the number one thing people aren't able to get, which ultimately leads to the demise of their bird. The same goes for antibiotics, such as Baytril. You can info on tube-feeding here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-ducks-updated-5-7-2020.1211994/

if you have a close relationship with your vet, or know someone who has a prescription for IV fluids, that is also something great to have on hand. You can make your own using a pressure cooker, but the sterility part may be questioned.

View attachment 2491643View attachment 2491642

One can make a simple nebulization chamber, using a nebulizer, and plastic tote for a minimal cost. That can aid in the treatment of several conditions, such as aspergillus, infectious bronchitis, pneumonia, egg binding, and most other respiratory diseases.

Thank you!!!

 

[FunnyfarmMidwest]

I tried my best. He was definitely a fighter!! The main issue was niacin deficiency. I hadn't heard of that before so I just treated it as a broken leg because thats what I thought it was. He lived about 9 months but developed sticky eye, wet feather, bumble foot along the way and @Isaac 0 taught me how to treat them! It just wasn't Gods will for him to live any longer. He shouldn't have lived as long as he did but I'm grateful that God let me have more time with him before he passed. Thank you for your help and have a blessed day!!

Have peace in knowing that you did your very best for him. It’s so hard to lose one once you grow so attached. They become our friends. I’m glad you got more time with him before he passed. So sorry you had to go through that but you’ve gained some important knowledge. Of course! If you ever need anything I’m here and will try to help you to the best of my abilities. Have a blessed day yourself. Sending well wishes to you and your flock. ♥

 

[LT71689]

In addition to medical supplies, think about possible injuries/illnesses and where and how you'd treat the bird if they arose. A lot of folks arent prepared to have a bird brought inside for more than a few hours let alone a few weeks - dont have an appropriate pen or quiet corner, dont have a tub for them to soak, dont have supplemental heat ready, spare blankets/sheets/towels to mess up, etc etc. Similarly they don't have space to safely separate a bird outside for medical quarantine. Even if the extra gear just collects dust in a basement or garage or something, better to have and never need than need and not be prepared to try to find something like a kiddie pool in the middle of winter on a tuesday