Am I keeping her alive for me or her

[Bills vs Beaks]

I couldn't do the farmers way to a pet. Just my feelings.
This is really a judgment call, and I think you have to go with your gut. If you've done your best, and you can't help her, if she is in constant and or regular pain, then I do believe you should put her down. But like I said, go with your gut.

 

[rachd1987]

I agree with what others have said about assessing her quality of life if all avenues have been exhausted to help her. You should feel proud of yourself for trying so hard to help her, whatever you decide

 

[bpotze]

Last Thursday I thought for sure I would be calling the vet to have Petunia put down....she was just not happy wherever I put her...she would flap her wings and get to a different spot....but then after awhile she settled down....so here I am with the weekend almost over....I have moved my two silkie chickens into the garage for the winter....with only two I thought they may not be warm enough....I thought that might help keep Petunia calm...as she grew up with my chickens...that really hasn't helped much.....Now I don't know how you can find a corner in a round plastic pool....but Petunia can find a corner....my dilemma still continues....it's like a roller coaster....I absolutely hate to put an animal down...I know I have done everything and tried everything to help her and I know she will not get better...she will continue to decline....and still it is so hard to do what I think is the right thing...it's not even that she is a friendly duck....she really isn't...she doesn't like to be touched or pet....but .....It's hard to believe I have been a hobby farmer for most of my life....and I have had to put down some wonderful pets...but it is never easy...even if they aren't cuddly critters....

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

 

[PearlTheDuck]

​Last Thursday I thought for sure I would be calling the vet to have Petunia put down....she was just not happy wherever I put her...she would flap her wings and get to a different spot....but then after awhile she settled down....so here I am with the weekend almost over....I have moved my two silkie chickens into the garage for the winter....with only two I thought they may not be warm enough....I thought that might help keep Petunia calm...as she grew up with my chickens...that really hasn't helped much.....Now I don't know how you can find a corner in a round plastic pool....but Petunia can find a corner....my dilemma still continues....it's like a roller coaster....I absolutely hate to put an animal down...I know I have done everything and tried everything to help her and I know she will not get better...she will continue to decline....and still it is so hard to do what I think is the right thing...it's not even that she is a friendly duck....she really isn't...she doesn't like to be touched or pet....but .....It's hard to believe I have been a hobby farmer for most of my life....and I have had to put down some wonderful pets...but it is never easy...even if they aren't cuddly critters....

I'm so sorry to see what's going on

By any chance is she crested? Crested ducks are known to be hatched with neurological issues.

My duck, Pete, had to be put down in May because of neurological issues ( we never had the chance to take him to the vet, it was to expensive and the closest avian vet was 3 hours away ) April 7th of this year is when i got my two first ducks, Pearl and Pete, both crested (at the time I had no idea about crested ducks and I was told they were pekin but turned out they're Crested Buff Orpingtons) and as ducklings Pearl would get in and out of her pool and such and Pete couldn't, he would also always flip over on his back and I would have to help him up. Out of nowhere one day we look outside and he's on his stomach, flat, legs flat behind him, convulsing, and that's where it started, then fast forward 3 days later and he was having 3+ seizures an hour, it was traumatic and sad, we had to put him down. It was something he was born with, neurological issues. It was not a niacin deficiency because we gave him tons of niacin in those 3 days and nothing changed, it got worse. It was horrible seeing Pearl quack for him, when he was alive they were inseparable and Pearl followed him everywhere ( Pearl is smart and knew he was sick, she took care of him)

His last seizure was really bad and what gave us the green light to put him down and that things weren't going to get better, when he had his last seizure he cut his bill and broke many blood feathers. We were praying, asking what to do, and he had that seizure as we finished praying and we knew he had to be put down. It was painful for us and pearl, I miss him to this day, he was so sweet

I understand what you're going through, not knowing what to do, I would put her down because it doesn't look like it will get better and she doesn't want to be like that, you've took her to vets that don't know what's wrong, it just seems like it's her time.

If she's in pain I would put her down for sure, but just go with your gut and what you feel is best for her, try to take your emotions out of it, I know it's hard, but you don't want to keep her in pain because you want her here, harsh but true I still cry when I think of Pete

Pearl is fine and thriving she stays with our chickens and forages through the yard, she's an only duck for now, we're thinking about more ducks in the spring, Indian runners, magpies, blue Swedish and some more buffs to be exact I wanted some Welsh Harlequins but where I'm ordering from does not carry Welsh's and I'm too scared to order out of state, where I'm ordering from is less than 4 hours away and if you can drive there and get them I'll do that instead (I don't want dead ducklings in the mail, I'm too sensitive to those things)

And I understand keeping her alive for as long as you can, I did the same, and I know I tried everything for pete and you're trying everything for your duck

Whatever you decide I send hugs and prayers your way and know your not alone

 

[Amiga]

My experience is that animals seem to communicate when they are ready to go.

 

[bpotze]

I finally made an appointment with a vet to have Petunia put down...as hard as that is....her feathers are starting to look bad...if I don't clean her eyes daily they get all goopy...the leg on her bad side is beginning to atrophy and is always contracted up into her body..I can't keep her clean by bathing her because it is just too cold....I know it is what is best for her and yet it is hard....but I just know I have to do it...I have been putting her out in the sun close to the house the past few days...it's just crazy...she is a duck...and not even a friendly duck...but still a living being...and I find it so hard to take her up to the vet and have her put to sleep....it will be best for her...
Thanks for all the advice....
Now I only have two little silkies left from our big move and huge downsizing....

 

[GingersHuman]

I'm sorry about Petunia.

It sounds like you have given her every chance to improve but it unfortunately didn't work. I think at this point all you can do is examine her quality of life. Does she seem happy? Does it seem like she wants to live? If it seems like she is happy and hasn't given up on life but just needs help getting around you may consider making her a walker like the one here http://tingilinde.typepad.com/starstuff/2009/10/using-a-duck-to-teach-kids-about-disabilities-.html

If she swims well you may consider building her a pool. One with a large ledge that will allow her to lay in the water but not drown when she gets tired.

If it seems like she has given up (not eating, drinking, or preening) it may be time to let her go. There is nothing wrong with keeping a disabled animal alive if you can provide a good quality of life. But if her quality of life is poor it is more humane to end it.

I wish you luck.

This is a tough one. On one hand you hate to see her suffer and or not have the quality of life that other ducks enjoy. On the other you hate to make the decision to end her life if she isn't in pain. I don't know how putting to sleep a duck is at avets office

My experience is that animals seem to communicate when they are ready to go. 

I agree with all of the above.

 

[GingersHuman]

I finally made an appointment with a vet to have Petunia put down...as hard as that is....her feathers are starting to look bad...if I don't clean her eyes daily they get all goopy...the leg on her bad side is beginning to atrophy and is always contracted up into her body..I can't keep her clean by bathing her because it is just too cold....I know it is what is best for her and yet it is hard....but I just know I have to do it...I have been putting her out in the sun close to the house the past few days...it's just crazy...she is a duck...and not even a friendly duck...but still a living being...and I find it so hard to take her up to the vet and have her put to sleep....it will be best for her...
Thanks for all the advice....
Now I only have two little silkies left from our big move and huge downsizing....

It's a hard decision, hugs to you.

 

[lomine]

It is a hard choice to make but you are doing the right thing for her.