4 mo Welsh Harlequin with Swollen Abdomen?

[Aunt Angus]

How is Marmalade doing?

She *seems* fine. I had to postpone her trip to the vet. She's going on Tuesday.

Fingers crossed!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Vet says Marmalade is great! Said she might have an issue with her hips or knees, but said we should wait to see how she develops. He said she's not in pain or anything, so there's no hurry to do pricey xrays.

He's great! The fee wasn't expensive at all compared to my last vet, and he said I can call anytime for advice/questions at no charge.

So GOOD NEWS all around!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I think she looks like a normal reproductively active duck. You may have another layer soon. Since she isn't showing symptoms I wouldn't be concerned.

The abdominal inflammation can vary in your ducks, and still be normal.

OHMYGOD THANK YOU. I hope that's it. She just seems so young. Is 4 months normal? Figgy IS laying, and they are clearly sexually maturing (they are very frisky in the swimminsss pool).

I love little Marmalade, and I shudder to think....

When should I start to panic... I mean, start to be concerned?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Oh, maybe that changes my answer then. I'm really bad at feeling the difference, but my vet can tell immediately. When my duck had ascites my vet drained it weekly using an ultrasound to guide her. In between drainings they didn't have me do anything at home even when I asked.

Ok. I will call tomorrow. I found one that is open on Saturdays.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I still think the photo looks like my duck when she's about to lay an egg. While my other duck who lays has much smoother abdominal inflammation when she's about to lay. One of my ducks had an abdominal ultrasound a few months ago and the vets said she had a normal amount of abdominal fluid built up. *shrug* But safe is always good.

I wouldn't panic/be concerned unless you see other symptoms like lethargy/anorexia/diarrhea.

4 months does seem young. I wish I remembered exactly when my ducks started laying. I was surprised. They were very young. It seems like late summer/fall ducklings take a long time to lay and early spring ducklings start very early.

Regarding my sweet Clover, she had ascites for about 6-7 months and got drained weekly the whole time. Her entire abdomen was quite tight, like a very full balloon, and she had watery diarrhea. Despite extensive testing we couldn't figure out what was wrong and when she became uncomfortable we euthanized her at the vet in my lap. Her necropsy revealed that she had a type of inoperable reproductive cancer. She was about 3.5 years old.

I hope this doesn't scare you. I think it is very very unlikely to be the case with your little one.

Doesn't scare me at all, actually. I know our feathered friends sometimes get sick for many reasons. I think it's amazing that you did so much for her, and I'm glad she passed in a peaceful way and with you. I had a chicken I was trying to save die while I was away, and it bothered me to no end that she died alone in an isolation crate. It still bothers me.

I'll let you know what the vet says. I hope you all are right that she's preparing to lay. I am so new to duckies. It will be good to get a vet's opinion. I have other questions I can ask, too, since I'll be paying for the time.

Thanks, @KaleIAm and @shawluvsbirds

 

[N Good]

It sounds a little early, but the smaller breeds can start laying a bit on the early side. 16-18 weeks would be young but not unheard of. My silver appleyards on the other hand waited close to 6 months, around 24 weeks or so, to start laying.

 

[Aunt Angus]

The only other likely problem I'm aware of would be distended abdomen which could be fat from eating an overly fatty food mixture or other problems that would all cause the mass to be firm to the touch (confirmed with holderreads "Raising Ducks" section on illness).
As others have said, unless there are other symptoms (difficulty walking, sluggishness, diarhea) I personally would wait a week before going to the vet and see if the shape changes or if you get an egg.
BUT you need to do what you are comfortable with! The last thing I want to do is give advice and then your duck passes away...I would feel terrible. So, if you feel a need to go to the vet, then go as soon as you are able. All I'm saying is that if it were my bird, I would wait and see.

I may have to wait a week anyway because of vet availability.

I've been watching her for a couple of hours now. She seems normal. I really wish I had another bird to compare her to (besides my runner).

This waiting game sucks. But I'm sure y'all know that.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Here, look at my saggy bottom girls. This is normal for mine. View attachment 2725703View attachment 2725704

That is reassuring!

And those girls are gorgeous!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Mine are getting there, too, the spoiled things.

I keep mine with my chickens, and they've completely obliterated the chicken grass. I have 9 chickens and 4 ducks. The 9 chickens have existed happily on their mini-pasture for nearly a year without even making a dent in the grass. The 4 ducks have been out there for just a couple of months. The chicken pasture is now a dirt patch.

A plan to move them all to a much bigger area is in the works. The ducks will have their own pond in its own area to save the pasture grasses.

 

[KaleIAm]

Vet says Marmalade is great! Said she might have an issue with her hips or knees, but said we should wait to see how she develops. He said she's not in pain or anything, so there's no hurry to do pricey xrays.

He's great! The fee wasn't expensive at all compared to my last vet, and he said I can call anytime for advice/questions at no charge.

So GOOD NEWS all around!

Yippee!!