BoradorBeans
Songster
Yesterday, my sister and "rescued" a Pekin duckling (approximately 2.5 weeks old). She was being sold at a market, kept alone in a cage with no water or food. Of course we couldn't leave her.
She seems aspirated - she peeps fine (and loud lol) but occasionally some of those peeps sound raspy (coming from her mouth, not her lungs - I think...). She coughs and sneezes, sometimes spitting up water. Not every time, but enough to make me write a post here.
She's eating and drinking fine now. Pooping normally (solid). She isn't lethargic. She swims and jumps and has energy.
I know sometimes ducklings drink too much or startle and cough or throw up water, but it's been 24 hours since I picked her up and the symptoms above are still present.
I have antibiotics - I know if aspiration lasts for long, it can cause an infection. Is there any harm in giving her antibiotics? If not, is there a recommended dose per weight? She's tiny (obviously not eating enough before).
Contacting the previous owner isn't possible.
Any thoughts or advice? She's separated from our other ducklings; we're hoping to integrate them once I know that she's okay.
We live in Florida, so there's no cold weather here. She's indoors under a heat lamp with a big bowl of water to dunk her head and some dumor chick starter (non medicated).
She seems aspirated - she peeps fine (and loud lol) but occasionally some of those peeps sound raspy (coming from her mouth, not her lungs - I think...). She coughs and sneezes, sometimes spitting up water. Not every time, but enough to make me write a post here.
She's eating and drinking fine now. Pooping normally (solid). She isn't lethargic. She swims and jumps and has energy.
I know sometimes ducklings drink too much or startle and cough or throw up water, but it's been 24 hours since I picked her up and the symptoms above are still present.
I have antibiotics - I know if aspiration lasts for long, it can cause an infection. Is there any harm in giving her antibiotics? If not, is there a recommended dose per weight? She's tiny (obviously not eating enough before).
Contacting the previous owner isn't possible.
Any thoughts or advice? She's separated from our other ducklings; we're hoping to integrate them once I know that she's okay.
We live in Florida, so there's no cold weather here. She's indoors under a heat lamp with a big bowl of water to dunk her head and some dumor chick starter (non medicated).
