I have an 8 month old Khaki Campbell that I thought was sick when I went to uncoop the girls this morning. She was lying down and breathing rapidly. I got her to get up and walk into a dog kennel so that she was quarantined from the rest of the flock. I went to the Stock Shop and the guy there said she may have an infection and sold me an antibiotic. As the day went on her breathing improved and she was even eating some. I just let her out of the kennel to see if she would like to take a swim, and she appeared to eat a bit of lettuce, although within minutes she started shaking her head and the lettuce came flying out. I have felt her neck and don't feel anything...Any ideas on what the problem could be and how to fix it.
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Ducks have sensitivity to infections, I've read that somewhere. But I also hate advising to use western allopathic meds online, since they are so over used. I say support the bird and healing occurs. Of course most of my experience is with pigeons and doves, which can have internal manifestations of canker growths inside the liver, and no external signs at all other than lethargy and a pinker beak than usual. Hence I know what MY birds are going through by the noises, calls, head movements, activity levels...very personal observations with each bird. My way of saying, if it's not my bird I probably shouldn't be giving advice.
Oh, no, by all means, I was asking for advice. I've never had a bird of any type and jumped into it with both feet by aquirring 3 chickens, and 3 ducks. I was only prepared to care for happy, healthy animals so having them go sick on me has left me at a loss, as far as knowledge. Thank you for your response, it gave me somewhere to start.
Was she breathing with an open mouth? Does she have any sores in her mouth (I know, sometimes it can be hard to convince the duck to show you!) Search online for descriptions of the symptoms of the issues Philodice mentioned and see if any of them seem to fit your duck.
Please be sure to keep this duck isolated and calm as best you can. Keep us posted!
She is isolated. I took her to Pratt's, to see the Wednesday vet (although, they weren't crazy about seeing a duck) He said everything felt normal. I'm going to continue her on the antibiotics and hope that she makes it. I did look in her mouth this morning and I see nothing. Her breathing is now normal her only symptoms are, excessive drinking, no quacking, and the most concerning the inability to keep anything other than her regular mashed up food down. If she eats a tomato, or lettuce she shakes her head and it quickly comes flying out. I'll keep you posted.
Possible:
Most likely: Gape worm. Treat: A worming agent, and add apple cider vinegar and collodial silver to her next meal, make it nice and soupy crushed mash, apple sauce, and water. Dust food with D.E. to prevent.
Almost always makes an appearance to complicate any avian illness: Canker. Treat: Antibacterials, anti swelling, and anti fungals. A natural anti swelling and anti fungal agent is available in the fish care aisle of the pet store, called Pimafix. Add drops to water. Also useful for same purpose is Neem Oil. Add drops to food.
Least likely: Slow crop. Treat: Mash food with apple sauce, add apple cider vinegar, and add drops of Neem oil or Pimafix just in case.
Many problems respond well to neem oil, garlic, silver, and apple cider vinegar. Isolate the duck, watch her poops for signs of parasites, keep her warm and away from drafts. DO NOT ad calcium to feed during treatment, as calcium counteracts the effectiveness of some antibiotics, worm, and canker treatments.
Replies
Please be sure to keep this duck isolated and calm as best you can. Keep us posted!
Most likely: Gape worm. Treat: A worming agent, and add apple cider vinegar and collodial silver to her next meal, make it nice and soupy crushed mash, apple sauce, and water. Dust food with D.E. to prevent.
Almost always makes an appearance to complicate any avian illness: Canker. Treat: Antibacterials, anti swelling, and anti fungals. A natural anti swelling and anti fungal agent is available in the fish care aisle of the pet store, called Pimafix. Add drops to water. Also useful for same purpose is Neem Oil. Add drops to food.
Least likely: Slow crop. Treat: Mash food with apple sauce, add apple cider vinegar, and add drops of Neem oil or Pimafix just in case.
Many problems respond well to neem oil, garlic, silver, and apple cider vinegar. Isolate the duck, watch her poops for signs of parasites, keep her warm and away from drafts. DO NOT ad calcium to feed during treatment, as calcium counteracts the effectiveness of some antibiotics, worm, and canker treatments.