Duckling bill injury

[Jlmiller5289]

I feel absolutely awful. My 10 week old runner (boy) bit my almost 1 week old (est) mallards bill.

She bled a little bit at first and when I cleaned it with a saline solution it peeled a little bit. (I was dabbing it on carefully, not trying to rub but she wasn’t holding still of course) I put neosporin (no pain relief) on it with a q tip but I have a feeling she rubbed it off completely
She’s acting just fine. She’s eating and drinking, nibbling on me, cleaning herself… I just feel awful. Do these things heal pretty well normally? It doesn’t seem cracked to me, just like the top layer is peeling off right there?

 

[RobN72]

I’m not an expert in ducks but I think it will be fine. It happens to my chickens all the time. Just keep making sure that it does not get infected and it will scab up soon enough.

 

[KaleIAm]

When my adult duck had a similar wound her vet advised me to keep it clean, and put a thin layer of antibacterial ointment without pain reliever on in twice daily. It took months to heal completely, but at checkups her vet was pleased with her progress.

I think even if your duckling wiped most of the ointment off there is likely still a very thin greasey layer on her bill. You are doing great.

 

[Jlmiller5289]

Thank you I’m having a hard time getting it on her bill without her “eating” some of it. Hopefully it won’t hurt her in tiny amounts? She’s just so darn fast

 

[KaleIAm]

Thank you I’m having a hard time getting it on her bill without her “eating” some of it. Hopefully it won’t hurt her in tiny amounts? She’s just so darn fast

I wondered that, too, with my duck. Because after I applied it she ran to her water bucket and submerged her entire head. Then her everyone else drank from that bucket! My vets are experienced with waterfowl, though, so I trust them.

Try holding her head still by using one hand to completely immobilize her skull. Before starting I "wipe" some ointment on the top of my hand just below my thumb. Then when I'm ready I take some ointment from my hand to dab on my duck.

I put ointment on my left hand and hold my duck's head with my left hand. And I apply the ointment with my right hand.

 

[Jlmiller5289]

I wondered that, too, with my duck. Because after I applied it she ran to her water bucket and submerged her entire head. Then her everyone else drank from that bucket! My vets are experienced with waterfowl, though, so I trust them.

Try holding her head still by using one hand to completely immobilize her skull. Before starting I "wipe" some ointment on the top of my hand just below my thumb. Then when I'm ready I take some ointment from my hand to dab on my duck.

I put ointment on my left hand and hold my duck's head with my left hand. And I apply the ointment with my right hand.

Yeah I've noticed that using my clean finger to apply it vs the q tip has been working a bit better. She's just so tiny and spunky I'm worried that I'll hurt her squeezing too hard or something Each time is getting a little easier though thankfully!