what kind of ointment to use??

[carinlynchin]

My gosling got a cut under his beak and it's getting quite swollen. I have used peroxide to clean it and then first aid ointment for people. Is this bad? Do I need a special bird ointment or can I use triple antibiotic ointment or first aid ointment?

 

[jhm47]

You did the right thing by cleaning it out with peroxide, but I wouldn't bother with ointment. It may irritate the gosling and cause him to scratch at it and injure himself more.

 

[carinlynchin]

I was wondering about the peroxide because when I took biology last year, I learned why peroxide kills bacteria and stuff which is that our cells break it down into its components (oxygen, hydrogen), hence the bubbling. But the bacteria don't have the enzyme or whatever it is, that breaks it down so it ends up killing the bacteria......then I thought to myself..."was that in humans only or all animals?" But since you've said its okay, and I read somewehre else that someone suggested it, then I will keep it up. I guess I also worried because the blood turned black when I put the peroxide on it and I can't remember ever seeing our (people's) blood turn black when peroxide is used (but maybe I never paid attention)..

thanks!

 

[ZepChick]

normal saline is also a good wound cleanser

 

[jywel417]

Be aware tho that using peroxide can slow the healing process. It is great for cleaning immediately after an injury occurs but if used any time after that it will slow the healing process since the bubbling kills off bacteria and healing cells. We tell people to use an antibacterial soap to clean wounds or a betadine or nolvasan solution. We use a triple antibiotic ointment on dogs and cats all the time, I would imagine it would be fine to use on your duck I would just use a very small amount so as not to get him greasy and if it doesn't feel weird to him he is less likely to bother at it

 

[mamaKate]

Make sure the ointment doesn't have lidocaine or other numbing agent. It's fatal for chickens, so I'm thinking it might be true for other birds.

 

[jywel417]

Good call mamakate, I didn't even think about that. I keep forgetting they have the new neosporin plus pain relief, def want to use a plain triple antibiotic ointment . . .