Owl Attack, Neck is Raw (Bloody Pics Warning)

[Violet22]

I went out to feed tonight and found a huge owl in my duck run. He broke through the chicken wire roof and attacked one of my birds, I locked them all in a pen while I managed to get the owl out of the run. The duck is a female crested runner about 6-7lbs. I brought her in and washed her as best I could with plain water, then several rinses of betadine and water, then applied polysporin. I have her inside in the bathtub and the heat turned up to keep her warm. Is there something else I should do, and do you think she can recover from this? There may be a vet in this area that will look at ducks, but if they do (I was only told they might), they may not be open on Saturday. If she needs antibiotics, are there any I can get at a feed store. She has only been in less than an hour, so I don't know if she is eating or drinking yet......I have water with Poult Pak in it for her, and duck feed and some peas in the tub for her.
Help me help my Phyllis!
Thank you!!

 

[Fancie]

He is alive thats a good sign. It doesn't look like he hit anything vital, just the skin is no longer there... ouch


good luck.

 

[srhcth]

Poor Phyllis - good thing you got there when you did. I had a guinea get their neck tore up one time (not quite as bad) and we put blue kote on it and seperated it and it did heal. I hope she does okay!

 

[Wildsky]

Poor girl!!!

Is there even any skin you can stitch closed or is it all gone?
I hope someone with experience can help - I've never had to deal with a wound that big before, but she looks like she's doing ok, you'll probably have to cover it with something, I just don't know what.

 

[emys]

OUCH! Looks like the owl only got skin, she can recover with proper treatment. I'm no the expert on that so BUMP!

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Poor baby.

I hope she'll be ok.

 

[purpletree23]

I think you are doing everything I would do. She's very beautiful. Keep a good eye on her. It looks like there is a lot of vital tissue damage to her neck and there will probably be swelling. Can your vet give you an anti inflammatory for her?

I'll remember both of you in my prayers tonight.

 

[emys]

You can use those pads "second skin" that you can buy for burns - they are sold over the counter now at drug stores

 

[BellLisamo]

OMG!!!! I cant believe an owl would even try to pick off a duck... but then again... hunger makes people do odd things.

Poor duck. I sure hope Phyllis makes it. My chicken wasnt so lucky... it had a heart attack, and a cut neck, but not NEARLY as bad. Do you have any ace bandage wrap? I'd wrap it so she doesnt get anything else in it.

We are rootin for ya Phyllis!!!!!

 

[farmin'chick]

Hi! I don't know how cold it is where you are, but I probably would NOT turn the heat up in the bathroom where she is -- my duck preferred the temperature cool when she was in the "recovery room" (bathtub!) (55 deg. F) I put her in the dry bathtub on a towel with access to a big container of water deep enough for her to get in if she wanted to -- you need to clean the water each time she poops in it so she doesn't contaminate her wound. My hen was a Muscovy -- from the group that stayed in the frigid creek during the blizzard. Mine was attacked by a predator and wounded in the breast, puncture wounds. She would bathe every day before I took her outside for the day (starting on day 2, but your wound looks more serious than my duck's -- I'd wait until it scabbed over before letting her out unsupervised.)

If you want to get antibiotics, you can get aueromycin or duramycin usually at the farm supply. You can use people triple antibiotic ointment on the wound, but don't get the kind with an analgesic (pain killer) in it.

Chances are with a little treatment, she'll recover nicely. Of course, you should take her to the vet if you can.