before we "put her out of her misery"...

[hfchristy]

Half the time I think she's completely given up. Then, she'll suddenly perk up for a few minutes. She was even shaking her tail feathers yesterday, and once just now. But most of the day today she was on her side with one leg up in the air.
Should I just leave her like this? I'm almost starting to think she's lying that way on purpose because she couldn't possibly fall over as quickly as she's doing over and over again.
Yesterday seemed better than she had. Today seems worse.
I was planning on giving her at least until Monday, but if tomorrow is worse again, it may just be time. If only I could just let her swim all day...

Actually, she seemed great in the pool, but the flipping started right afterwards. Should I maybe skip the swim tomorrow? I'm wondering if the swimming makes her too tired, then all of the flapping around when she gets stuck on her side keeps her tired. Either that, or I just can't get her underbelly dry enough and it's uncomfortable to sit in the puddle...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Half the time I think she's completely given up. Then, she'll suddenly perk up for a few minutes. She was even shaking her tail feathers yesterday, and once just now. But most of the day today she was on her side with one leg up in the air.
Should I just leave her like this? I'm almost starting to think she's lying that way on purpose because she couldn't possibly fall over as quickly as she's doing over and over again.
Yesterday seemed better than she had. Today seems worse.
I was planning on giving her at least until Monday, but if tomorrow is worse again, it may just be time. If only I could just let her swim all day...

Actually, she seemed great in the pool, but the flipping started right afterwards. Should I maybe skip the swim tomorrow? I'm wondering if the swimming makes her too tired, then all of the flapping around when she gets stuck on her side keeps her tired. Either that, or I just can't get her underbelly dry enough and it's uncomfortable to sit in the puddle...

When you put her down after swim ti me is she on a towel? that will help to absorb the extra water. If she enjoys swimming maybe just cut the time down so she isn't exhausted after. Hope today is better.

 

[PetDuck]

How is she doing?
Can you get any pictures of her?
That would sure help!
Maybe you could take her to an avian vet.
Is she still eating and drinking?
I had tears in my eyes as I was read this thread.
I can tell you really care about her well-being.
It's extremly splendid of you to spend all this time on her!
I'll keep an eye on this thread and hope she gets better...

2 months seems like such a young time to go...

 

[hfchristy]

We did a very brief swim time today, and I think that not letting her wear herself out may have helped. I spent a good bit of time helping her get back upright today, but unlike yesterday, there were also a few times that she flapped around until she got right side up again.



When she's sitting up, she doesn't look half bad, does she? But her head isn't turned to look at the camera - it's always like that. Or more. When she gets herself turned around the other direction you hear a steady tap, tap, tap, as her beak hits the wall with every breath. That's another odd thing. She opens and closes her mouth with each breath. Looks exhausting. I can't figure out what is going on that she'd need to open her mouth to breathe in, but close it to breathe out.

Do ducks instinctively avoid pooping when they're lying down? Every time she flops around, she leaves poop somewhere. I thought all the exertion was pushing it out, but now I'm wondering whether she's trying to stand up to avoid lying in poo.

She's eating and drinking some, but I'm not sure how much she's actually getting. I finally figured out that the food needs to be way farther beside her than I would have thought, so holding it in the right spot helps, but it's tricky to get food AND water both just right. I've been holding her food dish half over the water so she knows that she can reach both, and dropped some food in her water - she went crazy over it. So, I'm trying doing that on purpose some, too.

 

[duckmamma]

Hi,
I really think your duck has something more serious than a vitamin deficiency. She may have an infection, but she doesn't sound like she will last much longer. You still have a chance to save her. There are some meds you could try that ducks have good tolerance to, such as Baytril or penicillin. Does she have watery stools, or do they seem to explode out of her...if so, she may have enteritis, which can be treated with penicillin and probiotics. She should be pooping where she sits...if she isn't, then she may be dehydrated.
Please don't give up on her without trying a few reasonable treatments. Penicillin's cheap as it gets, and probiotics are available at most supplement stores. Natren's the best brand (get the acidophilus and the bifidus powders, use 1/2 tsp in 1/2 cup of filtered water 3-4x/day).
Here's what I do to stabilize my sick and unstable/weak ducks: Put a few towels under her so she's really cushioned underneath, to line the bottom of the bin...then make a "donut" out of another towel and put it where she'll sit. Put her in the donut--this will be like her sitting on a nest and it will steady her and give her a resting place for her poor neck. Then, right where her bill will land to eat, you need to put her food and water ramekins, and wrap a 2nd towel around them to stabilize them.