Dark fluid pulled from runner duck with water belly

[krunchykat]

I have a runner duck who is around 15 months old. I noticed a little over a week ago that her belly was looking distended. I was finally able to get someone to help today with draining her abdomen and this is what I pulled from her. It's watery and dark brown with a very slight green tinge to it. There doesn't seem to be any cloudiness, and there is no smell. I was getting these small clot like things out with the fluid. I ended up drawing around 110 cc's and stopped there because I didn't want to put her into shock.

Does anyone here have any experience with acsites being this color and what it could mean? I don't believe there is internal laying or infection. If it was due to a heart condition I think it would be the normal golden straw color that I've read about. I'm trying to assess what direction I want to go with either treating or euthanizing her. I do have her separated in a clean, comfy corner of the coop with food and water so she can rest and hopefully let her belly continue to drain.

 

[casportpony]

I think @speckledhen has seen this before.

 

[Kiki]

Poor thing.

There almost has to be an infection for something like this to happen to begin with.

What exactly do you feed your flock on a daily basis?

 

[Kiki]

Maybe 'infection' is the wrong word I'm looking for...I should have said 'something seriously wrong' instead.

 

[casportpony]

Let me see if I can find the thread that has that colored liquid.

 

[speckledhen]

I think @speckledhen has seen this before.

I have seen dark green, for sure, got several mayo jars half full of fluid at one time or another from hens. That is darker than what I saw, but I'd say infection is in there, though not sure if there is a specific reason it's so super dark/blackish.https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10.362422/

Here you go, first page

 

[KaleIAm]

This happened with my duck - the fluid looked similar. I took her to the vet when I noticed she had ascites and my avian veterinarian drained fluid from her abdomen with an ultrasound to guide her. We also did x-rays, bloodwork, and sent the fluid out for analysis. Nothing grew and they suspected a liver issue because of the color. However, her liver values were in normal ranges. We continued to take her in weekly for draining, and she did very well. Despite much testing they could not determine the cause. After about 6 months she suddenly began to show signs of discomfort and we euthanized her at the vet. Her necropsy showed that she had reproductive cancer and that was the cause.

Your duck could have a completely different issue, but that is my experience with my duck.

 

[krunchykat]

Poor thing.

There almost has to be an infection for something like this to happen to begin with.

What exactly do you feed your flock on a daily basis?

I feed Purina duck pellets and have oyster shell available. They free range the backyard for several hours per day so they do a lot of foraging bugs and grass. They also get mealworms, peas, and occasionally cracked corn for treats.

 

[Kiki]

I feed Purina duck pellets and have oyster shell available. They free range the backyard for several hours per day so they do a lot of foraging bugs and grass. They also get mealworms, peas, and occasionally cracked corn for treats.

The Purina duck feed is a complete balanced diet. All of the treats that get fed take away from them getting a balanced diet.
Not getting a balanced diet can cause all kinds of issues.

 

[krunchykat]

This happened with my duck - the fluid looked similar. I took her to the vet when I noticed she had ascites and my avian veterinarian drained fluid from her abdomen with an ultrasound to guide her. We also did x-rays, bloodwork, and sent the fluid out for analysis. Nothing grew and they suspected a liver issue because of the color. However, her liver values were in normal ranges. We continued to take her in weekly for draining, and she did very well. Despite much testing they could not determine the cause. After about 6 months she suddenly began to show signs of discomfort and we euthanized her at the vet. Her necropsy showed that she had reproductive cancer and that was the cause.

Your duck could have a completely different issue, but that is my experience with my duck.

I'm thinking she may have some sort of cancer or liver issue. She is still eating, drinking, and keeping up with her flock. Her belly still has plenty of fluid in it but I won't have any extra hands here to help hold her while I drain more fluid until Monday. I guess my main concern for now is keeping her comfortable until she starts declining. Unfortunately there are no vets near me that will treat ducks, but my boss said that her boyfriend could come here to euthanize her whenever I feel it's time.