- Thread starter
- #11
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 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.
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