AboutSilver Expertise Can answer On Subjects:
Care of orphan / injured birds especially Starlings and House Sparrows/Finches.
Care of most small seed, fruit and insect eating birds.
Care of some reptiles. Non-Toxic species only. Specifically worked with constrictors (Rosy Boas) and common 'garden' snakes such as as rat and Gopher snakes, Florida Tortoises and Florida and mid-western US box turtles
Cannot instruct individuals to care for themselves (long term):
Federally protected species
Experience Lifelong experience doing hands on and self-motivated research on animal care.
Game and Wildlife specialist; State of Florida (certified)1980's-1990's
Veterinary tech for a State University school of Veterinary Medicine 1980's-1900's
Volunteer Wildlife Centers and Veterinary offices in emergency and orphaned baby bird care 2000-now
Organizations Online organizations/group dedicated to wildlife care
Education/Credentials College
On the job certification and education (State University)
Volunteer with large Audubon group for the rescue of tortoise habitat
Life-long volunteer in wildlife care.
Question I need help asap. I live in the country and someone dropped a duck and he has somehow gotten injured I noticed his tail feathers were black and when we went to wash him we noticed his back end was wounded to the point that magots have infested this wound. There is not a vet within 200 miles that will treat a duck I just need to know if there is anything I can to do to give a chance or just let someone put him out of his misery. Help me please
Answer In Addition: I am So sorry that your duck did not make it... I am so glad though that in his final moments he at least knew someone's gentle touch and caring efforts. Animals DO recognize these efforts...
If you or your husband has the time you can aid other animals. Either of you might want to look into becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitation expert. If not now then keep it in mind for the time in your life when you can.
The courses are usually short (it depends on the state)..if it's for barnyard animals then volunteering somewhere, like a vets office or a rescue center, would be your best way to learn. Classes are usually pretty easy if you know anything about animals. You can choose one type of animal you would like to help. Then just let area veterinarians and wildlife parks know you can help. You can choose to just take in one animal a year or as many as you can handle so the choice is always yours! Some people think they need a lot of education and a huge place with a lot of fancy equipment to help animals but that is not true. If you handle native wildlife I would stick to birds instead of mammals...it's easier and less risky. If you work with native animals then a license IS required by the State. If you works with English Sparrows (House Sparrows) or Starlings then there is no need for a license. I run a group called 'PetStarlings' on Yahoo groups where we help people who have all sorts of rescued animals even though we specialize in Starlings.
If you live rurally then the choices are boundless. Just think about it... I have met a LOT of 'animal people' who have been well trained in rescuing all sorts of animals and wildlife but very rarely do I see or meet someone such as you two who has what it >really< takes to do the job.... a good heart,the desire to learn and the get-go to make an effort.
I am very proud of you both... most people would have just let the poor duck die when they saw the horrible circumstances he was in... Instead you put that animal first and empathized with what HE needed even if it was tough on you all to do.
People like yourself and your husband are blessed as well... I am blessed when I get to see there are others who really care. It makes my efforts here worthwhile.
Thank you both for your time and efforts...It DID make a difference...such things always do even of we fall short of our goals.
'Namaste'
Silver
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Yes! There is hope!!!!!! You need to act asap though duck rescue organization or a vet would be best but I will mention how I have treated similar situations.
Your best bet if you do not have the proper equipment and supplies like antibiotics is to get the maggots out and call your area veterinarians, wildlife centers and nature preserves and ask them for the number of someone who rescues ducks. If they are licensed they are ready to go with what they need and have a vet who will get them what else they may need. If not then they can probably find someone who is in your area who will. I have also seen people drive hundreds of miles to rescue an animal of a species they love!
First clean all of the maggots out....This can be done one of two ways.. if you have any screw worm spray try spraying that on the maggots...it works really well. They will just drop dead. It is usually sold at feed stores. Here are links just to show you what I am talking about.
Try using temperate running water and soap. Clean using the area using antibacterial soap (like the stuff everyone uses in their bathrooms)and continue to rinse them out of the wound. I would them try to debride... remove any lose dead tissue using using full strength hydrogen peroxide (like for use in humans). This will seal or almost chemically burn the edges of the wound as well to try and control infection. Keep doing so until the wound is thoroughly flushed clean, and you cannot see any more maggots. I would then get some Iodine / Betadine and try to 'paint' using a Q-tip or such, as much of the infected tissue as you can. Washing the area daily with antibacterial soap and applying the Betadine / Povidone /Iodine (not the soap type... that must be rinsed off) should be done 3 times daily imo. until the infection has cleared. Use a fly repellent that is usually sold for horses/dogs called 'Swat' or 'Flys Off'. It will kill any remaining maggots or fly eggs. Please... Do not bandage! The bird will need to be kept in a barn or garage, clean and dry until healed.
You MUST put him on a strong antibiotic for at least a week to 10 days or more to be sure the infection has cleared. It usually takes a veterinarian to know which one to use but I have seen Baytril in the chickens, Penicillin in waterfowl most of the time. The dose will depend on his weight and the type... I am not aure where to send you to get it unless you know of someone else with barnyard fowl or have a farm store nearby who can recommend someone who will have it... (the stuff sold in pet stores is not strong enough) Perhaps you can try a a pet duck forum for help? They may have a member in your area... or know of a animal rescue center.
You can use yogurt to counteract the affect of the antibiotics on the birds gut (it kills good bacteria too) by adding yogurt with live cultures in it or acidophiles (what makes Yogurt good for you found at anywhere that sells vitamins). I would boost the birds diet as best I could using any sort of electrolytes to the water and protein such as egg. I usually use fowl crumbles (or wild bird/fowl crumbles because it usually has the highest protein. It can be moistened and made easier to eat and digest as well. It is not very expensive if you do not have any. I can buy 5 pounds or 50 pounds at my local feed mill or farm store.
I am also going to send you a link to a site where there is a wonderful woman who has a great step by step procedure, far too long to address here that rivals the treatment I have seen by anyone working with barnyard birds. Follow this link...
Go to the post by 'threehorses' about halfway down the page. If you become a member of their forum, I am not, tell her thank you a million times from all of us who have read her posts because her advise has many people with birds in similar situations.
Good Luck...Please let me know if the poor bird makes it... I have had birds that did and known others who have helped ducks and chickens make it through some of the worse things you can imagine!
Thanks for trying to save him...shame on those who dumped him off!
