Baby duckling with suspected Prolapse vent and need advice to help fix

[LeiaLayers5]

I rescued a baby duckling couple days ago and we have gotten it to eat and drink but I noticed today that it's vent seems inflamed and a bit protruding. Can you advise what to do, I first noticed that it would back up like it wanted to poop but then nothing really happened and then when it does its very small increments not matching what it is consuming so i am afraid it is backed up. It also has a gimp leg that we cannot seem to be able to work out how to fix either but vent is more important right now.

 

[casportpony]

Try getting more water into it by making a really soupy mash for it to eat, and encourage it to drink if you can.

Questions...
What are you feeding it?
Does it's belly seem bloated?

 

[Duckworth]

My avian vet recommended applying a little Preparation-H to the protruding vent when my adult duck hen had a similar issue. It helped lessen the inflammation and relieved any itch or pain that might cause the duck to scratch with feet or bill. I don’t know whether this would be helpful or appropriate for your duckling. Maybe someone with more experience with young ducklings will be able to offer an opinion.

 

[LeiaLayers5]

Try getting more water into it by making a really soupy mash for it to eat, and encourage it to drink if you can.

Questions...
What are you feeding it?
Does it's belly seem bloated?

We are feeding it the Chick Feed (unmedicated) watered down so soupy mash as you said and it is drinking regularly. It doesnt seem bloated to me but I am just going by what previous babies we raised looked like and looks normal currently as far as i can tell.....

 

[AmyJane725]

I’d do cold pressed virgin coconut oil instead of the witch hazel and petroleum jelly.

 

[AmyJane725]

No but would another Hydrocortisone cream work? Or Honey I read on other post recently? I rescued this little guy on side of the road other night when it had been abandoned by mother since it had gimp leg and we are already very attached to the little one. No idea on sex but aside from this and it's leg, it seems to be acting normally and eating and drinking regularly as well as preening itself.

Hydrocortisone cream is good

 

[LeiaLayers5]

That’s awesome you’d be surprised how many find orphaned ducklings and think once they are a certain age can just go take them down to the nearest pond etc and think they will make it on their own. Very refreshing to talk to you!

I agree with you there! That drives me crazy to see people casually get them as pets and think they can do that. It is a commitment like any relationship. We have been raising ducks for a few years now and originally had chickens, but I have to admit the ducks are my favorite (don't tell my Chicken ladies....) So when I saw this one left behind when leaving work on side of road rolling around unable to walk, I had to jump out and impede traffic to save it. My husband teased me when I told him I was bringing it home asking if I duckling napped, but if it had been able to rejoin mom, i would of just helped it up curb to catch up to them, but they were long gone and I think she did not even realize she was leaving one behind or thought it was lost cause. We love our babies and are determined to give this little one whatever the sex the best chance at life even if that means handicapped with a bad leg. We have dealt with some interesting ups and downs over the years in a short time and have adjusted to learning as we go. Thanks for your help!

 

[LeiaLayers5]

Can you get the duckling to this place? It's about 50 minutes from your location:
https://www.petcarevb.com/pet-health-care/bird-veterinarian.php


This is even closer:
https://colonyvet.com/avian-exotics/

UPDATE: I talked to them both and Colony doesn't do ducks and Petcare could not fit us in until next week, we ended up taking it to another vet that Petcare suggested and they saw him today. Doctor said the vent looks fine and that with Xray, he saw leg was fractured but already showing mending naturally, which I mentioned we have been trying to do light physical therapy in warm baths for that and it seems to be working as the duckling is walking on it and doc said it looks like it will heal nicely and that the xray also showed it is not backed up but that its intestine is full and just needs to process so suggested to just give water for 24 hours to let it process naturally and see if that works. They are going to check in with us on Monday to see how the baby is progressing by then.

 

[casportpony]

We are feeding it the Chick Feed (unmedicated) watered down so soupy mash as you said and it is drinking regularly. It doesnt seem bloated to me but I am just going by what previous babies we raised looked like and looks normal currently as far as i can tell.....

Any idea how old it is? Since you rescued it, I suspect that it could be a little dehydrated which is why it's having trouble pooping and why it has a little prolapse.

It's also possible that it ingested something difficult to digest. Whatever they cause, I think getting more water in it will help, so maybe try making it's food even more wet.

 

[MomJones]

I rescued a baby duckling couple days ago and we have gotten it to eat and drink but I noticed today that it's vent seems inflamed and a bit protruding. Can you advise what to do, I first noticed that it would back up like it wanted to poop but then nothing really happened and then when it does its very small increments not matching what it is consuming so i am afraid it is backed up. It also has a gimp leg that we cannot seem to be able to work out how to fix either but vent is more important right now. View attachment 1841233 View attachment 1841234

There are some really helpful articles on this site about treating prolapsed vent. I hope the little guy comes through.