Dehydrated Duck Help!

[RiverRanch]

I have a 5 year Peking hen that got extremely overheated here in FL (mid-90s, tons of humidity). She is extremely disabled: both legs do not functionhardly (I know I should have put her down years ago; that is another story);. She was unable to get out of the sun. When I found her she was barely able to hold her head up. I gave her water to drink and put her in her pond. She consumed a very large amount of water and used the pond water to cool herself down. She is doing better, but still pretty weak. I took her out of the pond and put her in shade. I thought I would see if she wanted some treats (meal worms) but she is not interested. I have added vitamins and electrolytes to her over night water. What else can i do for her?

 

[Isaac 0]

You are performing the brink of what you can do at home to hydrate a duck.
In the case, you happened to have I.V fluid bags, and a 20 gauge needle you can deliver fluids to her subcutaneously which will provide faster, and more effective hydration than orally.
Most owners do not have such supplies, so just continue on offering her electrolytes and monitoring her condition. If her water intake decreases you may consider tube feeding her which can be readily done at home. Hopefully, she will perk up soon.

 

[RiverRanch]

You are performing the brink of what you can do at home to hydrate a duck.
In the case, you happened to have I.V fluid bags, and a 20 gauge needle you can deliver fluids to her subcutaneously which will provide faster, and more effective hydration than orally.
Most owners do not have such supplies, so just continue on offering her electrolytes and monitoring her condition. If her water intake decreases you may consider tube feeding her which can be readily done at home. Hopefully, she will perk up soon.

I will continue to watch her. We don't have IV fluids, but we could give her some subcu fluids. I will try that with my nurse wife. I know we have 20 gauge needles and plenty of surringes.

 

[Isaac 0]

I will continue to watch her. We don't have IV fluids, but we could give her some subcu fluids. I will try that with my nurse wife. I know we have 20 gauge needles and plenty of surringes.

I prefer to give SubQ injections near the interscapular region of the bird which is located between the bird's shoulders. With the bird secured, you can tent the skin, and insert the needle halfway, and press the plunger.
https://lafeber.com/vet/fluid-therapy-in-the-avian-patient/#:~:text=Add daily maintenance fluid requirements,bolus infusions over 24 hours.

 

[RiverRanch]

Thanks for the suggestion.

The good news is that she has fully recovered and back to being her friendly self. I will just have to be extra careful that she doesn't overheat this summer.