Lesions on Duck Bill

[FunnyFarm02]

Hey Everyone-

My Pekin Darla (10 mo) developed these spots literally in the 8 hours I was gone to work today, as well as one of her eyes getting gross. The other is fine. It appears she has some lesions? I have 26 other birds and everyone else is okay. I live in WI so we just had a terrible -40 cold snap, but they were in our garage the entire time (maintained at 15-20 degrees) Prior to heading back out with the other birds, she was in a big back room of our basement going through a molt mid winter with two other birds doing the same thing. Last night we had another -10 night, but their coop stays about 10 degrees colder than outside. Any ideas? I’ve done a little digging and everything says to take her to a vet, but our Avian Vet only works Wednesdays. Thank you in advance!

 

[sourland]

It looks as if she was fighting/being picked on in a pecking order dispute upon reintroduction to the flock.

 

[FunnyFarm02]

I thought so too until I saw her eye was gross as well. Though she could just be having a time of it after molt. I just didn’t want to assume it was that, when it could have been something someone far more experienced would recognize as a serious problem. Thank you for checkin our sweet girl out! We appreciate it.

 

[alinas2010]

Hey Everyone-

My Pekin Darla (10 mo) developed these spots literally in the 8 hours I was gone to work today, as well as one of her eyes getting gross. The other is fine. It appears she has some lesions? I have 26 other birds and everyone else is okay. I live in WI so we just had a terrible -40 cold snap, but they were in our garage the entire time (maintained at 15-20 degrees) Prior to heading back out with the other birds, she was in a big back room of our basement going through a molt mid winter with two other birds doing the same thing. Last night we had another -10 night, but their coop stays about 10 degrees colder than outside. Any ideas? I’ve done a little digging and everything says to take her to a vet, but our Avian Vet only works Wednesdays. Thank you in advance!

Sorry this happened to her. If you have sterile saline, you can rinse the wounds out then apply antibiotic ointment without pain reliever in it. Something like plain Neosporin works well. For her eye, you can also use Neosporin, but if you have access to a farm store, you can usually find terramycin there, which is a triple antibiotic ointment specifically for eyes. You might have to ask them to unlock it from a cabinet for you.

 

[FunnyFarm02]

Sorry this happened to her. If you sterile saline, you can rinse the wounds out then apply antibiotic ointment without pain reliever in it. Something like plain Neosporin works well. For her eye, you can also use Neosporin, but if you have access to a farm store, you can usually find terramycin there, which is a triple antibiotic ointment specifically for eyes. You might have to ask them to unlock it from a cabinet for you.

I do have that on hand! Thank you. I also have blu-kote. Do you recommend one over the other? With this many birds we’ve got the whole avian pharmacy going

Sorry this happened to her. If you have sterile saline, you can rinse the wounds out then apply antibiotic ointment without pain reliever in it. Something like plain Neosporin works well. For her eye, you can also use Neosporin, but if you have access to a farm store, you can usually find terramycin there, which is a triple antibiotic ointment specifically for eyes. You might have to ask them to unlock it from a cabinet for you.

We’ve got the whole avian pharmacy at this point! Haha. Do you recommend Neosporin over Blu-Kote? I have both. Is she okay to go back out with the other ducks? If I had to guess, it was probably a chicken that nabbed her. Jerks sometimes.

 

[FunnyFarm02]

I’m not sure why it cut me off on one message and then posted both. Doing too many things at once on my end probably. My apologies!

 

[ruthhope]

Something like plain Neosporin works well. For her eye, you can also use Neosporin, but if you have access to a farm store, you can usually find terramycin there, which is a triple antibiotic ointment specifically for eyes.

This is a little muddled.

Neosporin is a component of triple antibiotic ointment that can be used on the skin. Neosporin, Bacitracin, Polymyxin. It should not be used in or near the eyes [there is a warning on the packet not to use it in the eyes.]

Terramycin is a form of tetracycline antibiotic. Terramycin or tetracycline is available as an eye ointment.

 

[alinas2010]

This is a little muddled.

Neosporin is a component of triple antibiotic ointment that can be used on the skin. Neosporin, Bacitracin, Polymyxin. It should not be used in or near the eyes [there is a warning on the packet not to use it in the eyes.]

Terramycin is a form of tetracycline antibiotic. Terramycin or tetracycline is available as an eye ointment.

Terramycin is definitely the ointment of choice for the eyes, I agree. Our vet has told us Neosporin is okay, also, for our chickens if we don’t have Terramycin. Sorry I didn’t mean to mislead. Is it different for ducks?

 

[ruthhope]

I’m not sure why it cut me off on one message and then posted both. Doing too many things at once on my end probably. My apologies!

These things happen -- posting to BYC and to ducks!

I don't think you need take this gal to a vet. The wounds are superficial and all that is necessary is to clean them up with saline solution and ensure she has a tub of deep water to keep her head and nares clean.

You might use Terramycin or tetracycline eye ointment that is available without prescription from feedstores and some [human] pharmacies. I don't personally use eye ointment to prevent infection. I have only used it when there has been a discharging eye indication eye infection. I currently have a pekin drake with a face that looks like your girls. He's a pugnacious little boy and tries to bite my white muscovy. They have been scrapping through the bars of his night dog crate!! I think you girl has been picked on to re establish her place in the pecking order after her absence. Ducks have to have a pecking order and her scrapping with her flock mates will quickly settle down once the new pecking order is established

 

[ruthhope]

Terramycin is definitely the ointment of choice for the eyes, I agree. Our vet has told us Neosporin is okay, also, for our chickens if we don’t have Terramycin. Sorry I didn’t mean to mislead. Is it different for ducks?

If you can get plain neomycin ointment and your vet says it is OK round the eyes, I will not contradict that. But Neomycin is generally available as triple antibiotic and should not be used in the eyes -- human, chicken or duck. the warning is on the packet [i am currently reading a human preparation and the last tube I had was also from a supermarket pharmacy. I don't currently have any from Tractor Supply to check on veterinary preparation warnings]