Please help! Duck beak ripped up

[shawneesas]

We have a duck whose beak has been really ripped up. She was fine last night when we put her into the coop, and no one else is hurt or missing. So far everything I've read says to take her to the vet, but the only one actually open today doesn't take ducks. What can we do? The tip is missing, and we can't tell if she is able to eat or drink. She tries, but we aren't sure if she's getting anything.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We have a duck whose beak has been really ripped up. She was fine last night when we put her into the coop, and no one else is hurt or missing. So far everything I've read says to take her to the vet, but the only one actually open today doesn't take ducks. What can we do? The tip is missing, and we can't tell if she is able to eat or drink. She tries, but we aren't sure if she's getting anything.

Looks like something got hold of her, were they in secure house? anyway wash with saline warm water to clean. then put some ACV into her drinking bucket 1-2 Tablespoons per gallon so she drinks it and cleans herself[face with it] ACV does help heal. I'd keep her inside til lit heals so the flies don't get on it and lay eggs or you'll be dealing with maggots. In the evening take her water and food up so you can put some kind of medicated ointment on it triple antibiotic or Neo, nothing with pain meds. Give her a food and water bowl deep enough she can scoop out of that will help her eat and drink better.

I'd be checking for anyplace a pred may have gotten in or a breech in your fencing where it pulled your duck and tried to pull her through. Or if not a pred where she may have gotten her bill caught on or in something so it doesn't happen to any others.

 

[Jessica89]

Ohnooo!! I could cry :'( Poor little angel.
I really hope someone can help you. Can a beak grow back?

Do you have any pain killers you can give her to ease the pain?? Keep her well rested for now.

 

[Amiga]

Miss Lydia gives sound advice. Looks to me like something may have bitten the end of her bill.

I would add - go more with the saline solution for the time being I think it might sting less, not sure. Vetericyn is another option, but I really would go with saline.

I would add water to her food, make it like wet oatmeal till he is healed up. Ducks can heal from serious injury.

For pain, hennible's vet said it is okay to use ibuprofen.

A note on pain killers for ducks. Straight from the vets mouth, ducks can have Advil.
For ducks 6-8 lbs 25-40mg twice daily adult tablets cut up or children's liquid Advil 1.5ml twice daily, orally.

Amiga's arithmetic – 8 pounds 40 mg is 5 mg per pound
6 pounds 25 mg, is just over 4 mg per pound

so, 4 to 5 mg per pound of duck

You need to know how much she weighs, and adjust dosage if needed.

(Advil is a brand name for ibuprofen)

 

[Amiga]

@shawneesas how is the patient?

 

[shawneesas]

She is doing better, but we are having a hard time getting her to eat. She sticks her face in the food, but I think it takes a lot more effort than it used to. She's getting there though.

 

[Amiga]

Is it possible there is an infection making it more painful? Are you wetting the food to loose oatmeal consistency?

 

[wendy Dlesk]

I'm a newbie and have a damaged duck beak and seeking advice. He was attacked by a raccoon last night, we've Brought him in and bathed him. Been treating with Neosporin. He has a puncture wound in his neck and it's not drying from his bath. Wondering if I should blow dry him. He's been trying to clean it himself. I've been keeping his tongue moist with water as best as I can. I've added electrolytes to his water and been feeding him moist starter food. What other advice can you offer?? He loved his bath btw. Is ACV Apple cider vinegar?

 

[bwauck]

Try canned corn. It's the only thing my drake would eat when he was chomped by raccoon. I took him to vet and got antibiotics and pain meds. I had to take him off the pain meds so he would eat. She needs to be inside so no flies get on her. Within two weeks his bill healed up completely Although in the front he now has a big bump. They heal really fast. The old beak sort of sheds away and a new layer of beak grows in. Corn saved the day. He still comes inside at night almost two months later because I haven't caught the coon family yet. Coons also come out during the day but He has my dog as a bodyguard until I can catch them and afford more hardware wire. She will heal quick if flies don't get on or in it .

 

[Amiga]

bwauk gave good advice, there.

Keep away from flies, ACV is apple cider vinegar, yes.

A good duck vet is best. But with punctures, you may need to consider oral antibiotics. Storey's Guide suggests clipping the feathers from around the edge of the wound so you can really see it. Also, check around the vent and under the wings for other punctures.

Some poultry vitamins will give a boost - tub time is so important - I think it cheers them up as well as cleans them up. I would not worry about the blow drying.

I would rinse the wound four or five times a day with saline solution or Vetericyn - the air needs to get to the wound for it to heal properly, and there are bacteria that thrive without oxygen that you do not want getting a foothold in the wound.

I might dab a tiny bit of antibiotic cream (not greasy ointment, and no painkiller) around the outer edge of the wound, not on the wound itself, after rinsing it.

I would also add a sprinkling of oregano to the duck's food - which I would wet up to be the consistency of runny oatmeal - that would probably help the duck eat better. At this point, whatever you can get the little one to eat is good.

Loads of TLC helps ducks, I have seen.