Fox attack...please help

[sherpa]

Yesterday, right in front of me, a fox took one of my ducks!!! He must be starving as I have never had an attack in the 3 years I have been living here.. Anyway.. the kids next door tracked him in the snow and their dog chased the fox away and retrieved my duck. She was scared stiff... but alive, we wrapped her in towels and put her in her nest with a hot water bottle. This morning, I went out to feed and water the animals and she is much more sprittly, looking around, has a bit of a quack, but she can not get up, no movement in her legs, when I approach she flaps her wings but nothing from her legs, could they be broken?? could it just be shock from the attack? I am very sad about this as there is no abvious sign of injury and she seems fine, other than the legs?? any advise would be great. Thank you.

[TPeers]

Probably delayed reaction only time will tell. Can you keep her somewhere frost free for a day or two?

[rustylady]

Legs could well be broken. Keep an eye on her, but you may need advice from a vet if she doesn't start moving around soon.

[RedThorn]

after a fox attack, one of my girls couldn't walk for 5 days, everyday, I'd pick her up and hold her by the water drinker, let her drink and then put her back in the nestbox. I had a small tub of food by her. about day 4, she could stand up if supported by a wall otherwise she fell over, took a further day and a half for the right leg to start working. Now Although she is moulting she is fine!. This happened about a mouth and a half ago. Good luck and hope she recovers

[Nicos]

Poor little thing!
Have you thought of putting her in some warm water and see if she'll swim? It'd relax any bruised bones .Shell certainly not use a broken leg- so it may give you some indication.
At least being a duck she won't drown!!!!

[Glutton4...]

Oh poor little thing, what an ordeal. Great of the neighbours to track the blighter for you, so much easier in the snow. Foxy will be hungrier now, so keep an eye out!

[MrsC]

Hope she's ok poor thing x

[hodge911]

get a trap and some bait if i,d been closer i,d have come and shot it for you !!!!

[CoraxAurata]

I don't know if it has any bearing but any sign of predator (and my ducks are very flighty) and they (especially the girls) sort of flap their wings against the ground and don't really use their legs It scared the hell out of me the first couple of time but I think its some sort of panic/stress behaviour they are all just fine so your girl could just be stress, also ducks can't take being held by the legs like the less cuddly people might hold a chook so if fox had one of her legs she would be feeling very sore...... \i'd give her something to paddle in pref with tepid water (to avaoid cold aches in sore joints....see if that perks her up a bit....

P.S. there is a source for the term 'dying duck act' they do seem very good at feeling sorry for themselves.........

Hope shes feeling better poor girl and that she knows how lucky she is!