Bird death and possible flu :(

[PicklesMom]

Hi all, I am so sad and just needed to share. Over the last few days our sweet duck Sparkle began struggling to breathe. In retrospect it might have started a few days earlier but I thought the ducks were panting because it was so hot; then it cooled off and she was still panting and within 24 hours was clearly sick. We brought her to the emergency vet but even in oxygen she was just getting more distressed and we had to euthanize her. I'm waiting for the state to call back about testing her body for flu and so worried about losing the rest of the flock. I'd nursed this duck through a joint infection last year and she was so sweet. We lost most of our chicken flock to Mareks a few years back which is why we switched to ducks, and I can't handle another bird pandemic.

It sucks in that we don't really interact with any other birds or farms except the wild ones that come through the property.

Here she is in better days (the lighter grey one).

 

[RoyalChick]

Hi all, I am so sad and just needed to share. Over the last few days our sweet duck Sparkle began struggling to breathe. In retrospect it might have started a few days earlier but I thought the ducks were panting because it was so hot; then it cooled off and she was still panting and within 24 hours was clearly sick. We brought her to the emergency vet but even in oxygen she was just getting more distressed and we had to euthanize her. I'm waiting for the state to call back about testing her body for flu and so worried about losing the rest of the flock. I'd nursed this duck through a joint infection last year and she was so sweet. We lost most of our chicken flock to Mareks a few years back which is why we switched to ducks, and I can't handle another bird pandemic.

It sucks in that we don't really interact with any other birds or farms except the wild ones that come through the property.

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Here she is in better days (the lighter grey one).

So sorry you lost her.

 

[PicklesMom]

So sorry you lost her.

Thanks. Hard to explain to non-duck people how much I love these little feathered friends.

 

[Tonyroo]

I hope you get as much information to see where your at with your other birds. Sorry you lost her.

 

[CoriM]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet feathered friend . That is so hard! Please keep us updated when you find out what it was.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry, you've done all that could be done for her.
And I hope her path report doesn't show AI!!!
Mary

 

[ruthhope]

Sad for you and Sparkle. I do hope it wasnt avian 'flu.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I'm so very sorry. I hope that the results come back negative, but that still leaves you at a loss as to what could have caused this.

I did read yesterday that there is a type of parasitic worm that will cause breathing issues.

 

[Folly's place]

The necropsy will show what her problems were, most likely something only she had.
Mary

 

[PicklesMom]

The necropsy will show what her problems were, most likely something only she had.
Mary

Thanks everyone. The state told me today their criteria is "3 dead birds in a week" to test. Hopefully we don't make it to that. I feel a little better but still hate when they die. It always makes me feel like I failed somehow.