Administering Calcium Gluconate

[Niche Flock]

One of my Khaki Campbell ducks is not doing well. Initially I assumed she was egg bound (hasn't laid an egg in days, lower abdomen area is swollen, almost touching the ground, she sometimes will use her wings for balance after I take her out of the bath). I can FEEL some masses, they're hard on her lower back end, and I've applied vegetable oil to lubricate her. I've tried gently palpating her. I can tell she's uncomfortable. I have been soaking her in warm water daily for about an hour, she seems to enjoy that. While she's in her five gallon bucket soak I administer the calcium Gluconate orally and give her water. She doesn't eat much but I've given her nutri drench and she receives vitamins and probiotics in her drinking water. I have her in a small kennel separated from the other ducks and made it so she has a heat source and darkened space.

Is it possible that she's an Internal layer? How can you tell the difference between an egg bound duck and one that lays internally?

 

[Isaac 0]

One of my Khaki Campbell ducks is not doing well. Initially I assumed she was egg bound (hasn't laid an egg in days, lower abdomen area is swollen, almost touching the ground, she sometimes will use her wings for balance after I take her out of the bath). I can FEEL some masses, they're hard on her lower back end, and I've applied vegetable oil to lubricate her. I've tried gently palpating her. I can tell she's uncomfortable. I have been soaking her in warm water daily for about an hour, she seems to enjoy that. While she's in her five gallon bucket soak I administer the calcium Gluconate orally and give her water. She doesn't eat much but I've given her nutri drench and she receives vitamins and probiotics in her drinking water. I have her in a small kennel separated from the other ducks and made it so she has a heat source and darkened space.

Is she drinking at all? How old is she?

Could you post a video or a few pictures of her?

How do her droppings look - have any pictures?

 

[Niche Flock]

Is she drinking at all? How old is she?

Could you post a video or a few pictures of her?

How do her droppings look - have any pictures?

Yes she is drinking water and I also mix ups some vitamin water for her. Each morning I put her in a five gallon bucket with a hike cut in the lid and let her soak for an hour-1.5 hours. The water stays nice and warm and I think she likes it. I've noticed the soak removes some of her poop and cleans her bottom up nice. I will try to get a photo of that after her soak today.

While she's soaking I give her the 1ml of calcium Gluconate and a diluted amount of nutridrench plus some water. She ate some pellets and meal worms while soaking this morning so that is good!

She has been pooping in her kennel that's inside the isolated part of the coop, I lay down fresh straw every day. It seems sorta chunky, almost like a seedy mustard. Odd description, but that's what I thought of when I saw it. I'll attach a photo of her poop below.

She is alert and can scoot around ok, she puts up a fight when I give her the oral calcium and nutridrench (I make sure to administer it correctly, she doesn't choke, but she doesn't like me giving it to her) she is very swollen on her lower half, and uses her wings occasionally to prop herself up.

She was born in 2017, so she'll be four this year.

I know ducks can get lonely, so while she's soaking I lift up the towel on the coop gate that separates her (hospital ward) from the rest of the coop and let the other ducks see/talk with her.

 

[Isaac 0]

How does her abdominal area feel, hard, hard but soft enough it can be palpated, or like there are fluids inside?

 

[Niche Flock]

How does her abdominal area feel, hard, hard but soft enough it can be palpated, or like there are fluids inside?

I just took her out of her bath and had someone help me examine her. I'll attach some photos of her cloaca post bath, there is still a bit of poop around the outside but it's visible, hasn't been getting pasty and doesn't appear to be prolapsed.

While palpating her, I noticed that most of the swollen bulk feels soft, like a very full balloon, quite possibly liquid. There is a firm mass (in the photo of the person holding the duck, about where his pinky finger is) and it feels like an egg. I felt only one of these masses, or egg.

I used a bit if vegetable oil to lubricate my gloves fingers and inserted one finger into her cloaca to see if I could see an egg. I didn't see any egg, whiteness or yolk material. I inserted my finger to the second knuckle and felt around the area. I am not 100% familiar with the reproductive tract of a duck but have been viewing photos online so that I am better acquainted for what to feel for and how to navigate. Initially after entering there was a bit of resistance and I could feel a very firm, rounded mass. Is this the vagina or the uterus/shell gland that I feel? I found a good article from poultry hub, but I believe it's geared more of the chicken reproductive tract.
Does anyone have a good delineation of a female ducks reproductive tract, either necropsy or an illustration?

 

[Niche Flock]

I forgot to mention that when I had inserted a finger through her vent area, she had good resistance and I could feel her muscles clenching around my finger. She also pooped a bit both when my finger was in and as I removed it. The poop was sorta a green, granular color.

 

[Isaac 0]

I suspect the mass you're feeling, is likely the gizzard which is located just anterior to the legs, on the bird's left abdominal side.

The rest of your physical findings is suggestive of EYP, or potentially ascites. Egg yolk peritonitis (EYP) is characterized by egg yolk accumulation in the coelomic cavity, which often becomes infected by bacteria, predominantly E.coli from the digestive tract. Birds with EYP, have a watery-feeling distended abdominal area, act lethargic, tend to produce yellow/green-colored stools, and may have a hard time passing stools due to the increased pressure inside their body.

To confirm this is the case, one must perform abdominocentesis/coelomocentesis which consists of inserting an 18 gauge needle into the abdominal cavity for fluids extraction. If yellow-colored fluids are extracted, you're dealing with EYP, if you receive green/clear colored fluids, you may be dealing with ascites.

I am basing that analysis on what you have found during your examination - if you are unsure whether that was fluid, use another hen to ensure it simply not an anatomical feature. There are apparent risks in performing abdominocentesis at home, due to the chance of shock, or subsequent further infection of the area. If the needle is not placed correctly, you may puncture something important. Before placing the needle you must ensure the integument is disinfected to remove any superficial continents, also, ensure the needle is medial to the swelling.

If you wish to proceed here are some links on the topic.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/23888663/

The prognosis for both conditions are poor at best, alleviation of the distension, and antibiotics to ward off infection can help prolong life, but often is not sufficient to treat the problem.

 

[Niche Flock]

I suspect the mass you're feeling, is likely the gizzard which is located just anterior to the legs, on the bird's left abdominal side.

The rest of your physical findings is suggestive of EYP, or potentially ascites. Egg yolk peritonitis (EYP) is characterized by egg yolk accumulation in the coelomic cavity, which often becomes infected by bacteria, predominantly E.coli from the digestive tract. Birds with EYP, have a watery-feeling distended abdominal area, act lethargic, tend to produce yellow/green-colored stools, and may have a hard time passing stools due to the increased pressure inside their body.

To confirm this is the case, one must perform abdominocentesis/coelomocentesis which consists of inserting an 18 gauge needle into the abdominal cavity for fluids extraction. If yellow-colored fluids are extracted, you're dealing with EYP, if you receive green/clear colored fluids, you may be dealing with ascites.

I am basing that analysis on what you have found during your examination - if you are unsure whether that was fluid, use another hen to ensure it simply not an anatomical feature. There are apparent risks in performing abdominocentesis at home, due to the chance of shock, or subsequent further infection of the area. If the needle is not placed correctly, you may puncture something important. Before placing the needle you must ensure the integument is disinfected to remove any superficial continents, also, ensure the needle is medial to the swelling.

If you wish to proceed here are some links on the topic.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/23888663/

The prognosis for both conditions are poor at best, alleviation of the distension, and antibiotics to ward off infection can help prolong life, but often is not sufficient to treat the problem.

This is incredible info, thank you so much! I watched the YouTube video and am going to check out her other videos regarding animal health. In her video, she extracts an amber/orange fluid. Does that mean that it was due to EYP?

I currently have 18 gauge needles but might look into the 14 gauge after watching the video, the larger gauge might help make fluid extraction a bit easier, although it might be more uncomfortable for my gal.

Do you know what size syringe she is using?
I checked the YouTube but there are so many comments I couldn't find details.

I will order a larger syringe asap along with larger gauge needles and prepare myself for this procedure. Until my supplies arrive, I will try to keep her as happy and comfortable as I can.

Should I discontinue the 1ml calcium Gluconate oral that I have been giving her? Or is it alright/beneficial to continue administering?

 

[Isaac 0]

This is incredible info, thank you so much! I watched the YouTube video and am going to check out her other videos regarding animal health. In her video, she extracts an amber/orange fluid. Does that mean that it was due to EYP?

I currently have 18 gauge needles but might look into the 14 gauge after watching the video, the larger gauge might help make fluid extraction a bit easier, although it might be more uncomfortable for my gal.

Do you know what size syringe she is using?
I checked the YouTube but there are so many comments I couldn't find details.

I will order a larger syringe asap along with larger gauge needles and prepare myself for this procedure. Until my supplies arrive, I will try to keep her as happy and comfortable as I can.

Should I discontinue the 1ml calcium Gluconate oral that I have been giving her? Or is it alright/beneficial to continue administering?

The fluid extracted there, was ascites, with EYP the fluid is more yolk like. As far as your syringe question, she is using a 60ml, but in reality, you really don't need one, if you insert the needle, you can let the fluids drip into a container underneath. Such as the video below:

Contuining calcium supplementation would be fine.

 

[Niche Flock]

The fluid extracted there, was ascites, with EYP the fluid is more yolk like. As far as your syringe question, she is using a 60ml, but in reality, you really don't need one, if you insert the needle, you can let the fluids drip into a container underneath. Such as the video below:

Contuining calcium supplementation would be fine.

Thank you for the info! I'm am going to attempt this procedure today, with 18 g needle and a slightly smaller syringe. The fluid might possibly seep out like in the videos through a port. I'd rather give this a try now to try and help her than wait for other supplies.

My biggest concern is location of inserting the needle. The first video mentioned lover right side, avoiding veins. Another video I watched showed the left side. After inserting the needle, I should plunge a little and if the fluid is very red I hit a vein and should reinsert right? I'm not using terribly shallow or short needles, these are the 18 g Producer's Pride ones from Tractor Supply. The syringe is smaller, only a 12ml but it's what I have on hand and I want to help her asap.

Any suggestions on exact location for inserting the needle? Is the right side ideal, in the swollen area towards her back end?