Duck belly wound! Snapping turtle? What to do?

[KathiQuacks]

My poor Blanca is getting all of the injuries here..

I’ve just sent everyone out to free range and noticed my Blanca had what I first thought was a mud stain on her belly that she was picking at. Someone else posted a snapping turtle injury recently, so it got me nervous, and I called her over to check it out.

Turns out, it is an injury!!! Not a crazy one, I don’t think? But she’s missing some feathers, and there’s maybe a 1/4” deep laceration (not bleeding) on her belly. I’ve slathered it in an antibiotic.
‘Course, she thinks nothing is wrong and is complaining to go back outside.

I’m not sure what to do? I mean, I’m going to keep everyone off the pond for now. Does it sound like a snapping turtle injury? I will get a photo of it later. There have been ducks living here for 7+ years with no belly injuries. I didn’t think we even had snapping turtles.

I read you can catch snapping turtles, or have someone else come out to catch them, but I don’t know how that would work, or where to look. The pond is 5+ acres.

 

[casportpony]

Pictures would be helpful.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I would be afraid to let my ducks on the pond as well until it’s checked out, but I wonder if there’s any sharp branches that have fallen on the ground that she could’ve run into since it’s been windy here I had to go around picking up all the fallen branches

 

[Debbie292d]

If your pond has snapping turtles, they pop their heads up now and then, so I think you should be able to see if they're in your pond.

If you confirm you have one or more of them, and the whole pond is on your property, you can do this. Otherwise, you may have to contact the Dept. of Natural Resources in your state.

How Dad caught snapping turtles in a wildlife pond we had on our farm was to get a really huge hook and tie it onto heavy fishing line. Attach enough fishing line so you'd guess it'd hit bottom to an empty gallon milk jug. Hook some fish meat or a bite-sized hunk of roast beef, or some type of meat that's tough and would hang onto the hook you stick it on. Throw the hooked bait into the pond. When the jug starts going around the pond on its own, you know you have a turtle.

Dad had a skiff he'd paddle out with to get the jug and drag it to shore. We weren't allowed to see what he did with it, but he teased us about having turtle soup.

 

[KathiQuacks]

Pictures would be helpful.

Yes, yes.
It really is a small wound. Not even an inch long, I don’t think.

I would be afraid to let my ducks on the pond as well until it’s checked out, but I wonder if there’s any sharp branches that have fallen on the ground that she could’ve run into since it’s been windy here I had to go around picking up all the fallen branches

I would like if it was something simple like that. I’ll go searching around for sharp things later.

If your pond has snapping turtles, they pop their heads up now and then, so I think you should be able to see if they're in your pond.

If you confirm you have one or more of them, and the whole pond is on your property, you can do this. Otherwise, you may have to contact the Dept. of Natural Resources in your state.

How Dad caught snapping turtles in a wildlife pond we had on our farm was to get a really huge hook and tie it onto heavy fishing line. Attach enough fishing line so you'd guess it'd hit bottom to an empty gallon milk jug. Hook some fish meat or a bite-sized hunk of roast beef, or some type of meat that's tough and would hang onto the hook you stick it on. Throw the hooked bait into the pond. When the jug starts going around the pond on its own, you know you have a turtle.

Dad had a skiff he'd paddle out with to get the jug and drag it to shore. We weren't allowed to see what he did with it, but he teased us about having turtle soup.

I have not seen any poke their heads up. Just pond sliders and once a soft shelled guy that was wandering around.

The whole pond is on my property, yes. I’ll look into trying something like this.

 

[Debbie292d]

Yes, yes.
It really is a small wound. Not even an inch long, I don’t think.
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I would like if it was something simple like that. I’ll go searching around for sharp things later.


I have not seen any poke their heads up. Just pond sliders and once a soft shelled guy that was wandering around.

The whole pond is on my property, yes. I’ll look into trying something like this.

Now seeing this wound, I doubt it's a snapper. They have a hook on their top that would have latched onto your duck and ripped more flesh off, probably maiming it, then hauled it off.

How deep is the pond? You could maybe find someone who would "scuba" dive in it to help determine if there are branches or perhaps you could tie a heavy metal rake to a rope and try to drag it? Or even toss out an anchor or anchor type heavy thing on a rope and drag it in a few places.

 

[KathiQuacks]

Now seeing this wound, I doubt it's a snapper. They have a hook on their top that would have latched onto your duck and ripped more flesh off, probably maiming it, then hauled it off.

How deep is the pond? You could maybe find someone who would "scuba" dive in it to help determine if there are branches or perhaps you could tie a heavy metal rake to a rope and try to drag it? Or even toss out an anchor or anchor type heaving thing on a rope and drag it in a few places.

Well that’s nice.. I wasn’t sure what a snapper bite looked like, just that they occur on the belly a lot.

I’m not sure, I think 10+ ft at the deepest.
Lol I would be willing to scuba dive myself if it meant they won’t get anymore belly injuries.

I’m going to get everyone up, make sure no one else is injured, and either go out later today or tomorrow to check around.

 

[Debbie292d]

Well that’s nice.. I wasn’t sure what a snapper bite looked like, just that they occur on the belly a lot.

I’m not sure, I think 10+ ft at the deepest.
Lol I would be willing to scuba dive myself if it meant they won’t get anymore belly injuries.

I’m going to get everyone up, make sure no one else is injured, and either go out later today or tomorrow to check around.

I once scuba dove a golf course pond for golf balls. My dad's idea for mom as she lost too many in the woods by us where she plinked around. That was disgusting. You had to feel around for the balls as you couldn't see even an inch in front of you. Something would bump into you, and you'd assume it's a turtle. We did get a lot of golf balls though! You never know what you might find in that pond of yours!

 

[KathiQuacks]

I once scuba dove a golf course pond for golf balls. My dad's idea for mom as she lost too many in the woods by us where she plinked around. That was disgusting. You had to feel around for the balls as you couldn't see even an inch in front of you. Something would bump into you, and you'd assume it's a turtle. We did get a lot of golf balls though! You never know what you might find in that pond of yours!

I’ve been in the pond before. I found some smaller things, like an old bobber & line, and a hammer. But also some larger things like a tire and a metal life guard chair.
The chair was the weirdest, as I’d swam by it’s location multiple times and hadn’t seen or bumped into it once. Was a shocker once I managed to pull it out.
It’d be fun to find more things

I’ve checked over everyone else - no other injuries. It’s just Blanca.

 

[ruthhope]

@KathiQuacks

I don't think that snapping turtles bite ducks' bellies very often. They go for dangly bits -- legs, and bills when a duck goes after something in the water to eat.

Your wound looks more like a snag on something sharp.

Cleaning it and spraying with Vetericyn is all that is needed. You use antibiotic that is fine. I personally use Kote Blue as I am a big believer in the powers of gentian violet.

Give Blanca a cuddle and a quick kiss on the head from me and my boys. I'm sure she will be fine! Good luck with the snorkeling!!! LoL