How to Treat a Turtle Bite on a Duck

All pets are susceptible to attacks from other animals. Ducks and other waterfowl can become the prey of the snapping turtle, a common predator in the waterways of North America. Snapping turtles have a mean disposition, and are known to kill adult ducks and geese. If a duck or other water fowl is attacked by a snapping turtle, take action to clean and dress the wound immediately.

Things You'll Need

Latex gloves
Antibiotic soap
Cleansing solution, such as hydrogen peroxide
Antibiotic ointment
Non-stick gauze pads
Self-adhering bandages
Screened-off enclosure or pen

Instructions

- 1
  Make sure that your duck pond does not have snapping turtles already living in it. If so, call the local animal control or pest removal services to have them relocated. Check on your pond periodically to make sure that snapping turtles have not moved in.
- 2
  Immediately after any turtle attack, assess whether the duck needs immediate veterinary attention. If it is bleeding heavily or has broken limbs, call a veterinarian or drive your duck to an emergency veterinary medical clinic.
- 3
  If the duck does not need emergency medical care, clean its wounds with a cleansing solution, available in most pet stores. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Keep the duck warm and safe, to make sure it does not go into shock.
- 4
  Cover the wound with a non-stick gauze pad, and then wrap it in a self-adhering bandage.
- 5
  Keep the duck inside, or in a screened-off enclosure, for at least five days (or until a scab forms over the wound) to make sure that flies do not lay eggs in the wounds. Change the dressing on the wound once a day. Call your veterinarian to see if it will be necessary to give your duck antibiotics; and if so, what kind.
- 6
  Monitor the duck's recovery. Continue to change its bandages daily, and give it the full course of any prescribed antibiotics. If it does not seem to be recovering within five days, or if it stops eating or has labored breathing, call your veterinarian.
- 7