HELP! duckling can't breath!

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lillyrosesmum

lillyrosesmum

Chirping
Feb 13, 2016
95
2
86
East Texas
My duckling is having a hard time breathing he was fine a couple of minutes ago. It's just really strained and he looks weak. what do I do? She is a little over a week old and we were outside on this cool beautiful day and it just laid down. Poor baby! I'm new to ducks so I have no idea where to start.
 
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I opened his beak and checked and saw nothing. That was my first guess. I'm new to ducks. she was outside foraging then just laid down struggling. It's a cool day but could she be hot?
 
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Unfortunately I'm not well versed in ducks. I think you will get more responses in the "Emergencies/Diseases/Injuries/&Cures" section of the forum. Hopefully more folks can help you there.


I feel like this is so dire, the poor baby sounds like he's gasping. :hugs

Keep him warm and comfortable.
DON'T offer liquids if he is struggling to breathe.

Try rubbing his neck, starting at the base of his bill and working down gently with one finger. If there's something blocking his throat this could help. I saved a chick from aspiration by doing this gesture. Hard to say if it will help your little girl, but it could be worth a shot.

Use your best judgement, hopefully more will chime in. :hugs
 
you can check for blockage buy gently holding your fingers over nose holes and blowing into mouth it's harder with a duck than a chicken but I've done it. if chest puffs up shes not blocked, this may also help to dislodge an obstruction. I'm worried this is just a new symptom as you said you are new to ducks, maybbe you didn't notice other symptoms? put a heating pad on low in her box don't worry if shes hot she will move away. a week is not very old and she needs warmth. please keep us posted!
Oh and sunny &5 is right stroking throat will help if something is lodged in there
 
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postalpoultry said:
you can check for blockage buy gently holding your fingers over nose holes and blowing into mouth it's harder with a duck than a chicken but I've done it. if chest puffs up shes not blocked, this may also help to dislodge an obstruction. I'm worried this is just a new symptom as you said you are new to ducks, maybbe you didn't notice other symptoms? put a heating pad on low in her box don't worry if shes hot she will move away. a week is not very old and she needs warmth. please keep us posted!
Oh and sunny &5 is right stroking throat will help if something is lodged in there
Click to expand...


That's what I'm worried about too. This duckling is my most spirited baby and she seemed fine this morning. I had a day of errands so I didn't watch them a closely as I usually do but they seemed like themselves when I returned.
 
Tstraighten the nexk gently, you may need to get a flexible half inch tubing if something is lodged. Is the baby drinking??

I am out And will ch eck back when I can - try casportpony
 
So Baby is better. After rubbing her throat and keeping her warm she improved but still slightly labored. After a quick nap in her brooder I picked her up to check her and she huffed, gagged, shook her head and out flew a gnarly slug. She is breathing fine now. I guess her eyes where bigger than her throat.
 

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