duck breathing through mouth and quack is high pitched

[KaleIAm]

None of my other ducks got the same symptoms that Gingersnap had. She was sick for about 6 months before passing away, and lived with the other ducks the entire time. We don't believe it was contagious - but the veterinarians were never completely sure what was wrong with her or why she got sick in the first place. They hadn't seen a duck making that sound before. I kissed her bill every night and never got sick.

My understanding is that aspergillosis is a fungus that lives all around us, in the grass, everywhere. The theory is for some reason it got in Ginger's respiratory system and grew until she could barely breathe. At first her radiographs we clear, even though she was making that strange noise, and I believe her blood work showed only non regenerative anemia as well. As time passed her radiographs showed a slight change in her respiratory system. And eventually more changes, and then a heart murmur as the mass pushed on her organs.

The medication that worked well for her was called amphotericin b. I had to get a nebulizer for her and make a special box so she could breath it in. I'll send a photo for you if you need to go that route.

I hope you find out it is something else. Keep us posted. I'm thinking about you.

 

[caymusjordan]

Thank you - I hope we don't need to do the nebulizer - had to do that with a cat years ago and it wasn't fun...

Our vet called and said her white count is high and protein levels are showing a bit low, but she thinks the labs numbers might be higher than normal for birds so she is making some calls.

Praying it is a treatable infection - will hear tomorrow about starting her on an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory if it is indicated after she hears back on the protein.

Glad to hear that your other ducks weren't affected. How did Gingersnap do in the cold with the illness? Our temps are supposed to drop from the high 70's down to low 20's overnight. Thought extra straw in the coop but vet suggested the garage for the night - just not sure how we'd contain them in the garage.

 

[KaleIAm]

Cold didn't seem to affect Gingersnap, but we live in the Seattle area so it rarely gets below freezing. On cooler nights our ducks always snuggle. Can you put both ducks in a large dog crate with lots of towels in the garage over night?

I'd suggest putting towels down in a bathroom and having them sleep there but I'm afraid they might get deaclimated to outside temps.

 

[casportpony]

How is your duck doing?

 

[caymusjordan]

How is your duck doing?

She's the same - having trouble giving her the medications from the vet. I'll be happy when it warms back up here tomorrow. They are living in the coop for now since it's cold outside.

 

[katiebrock]

Just brought Chips (and Fish b/c can't separate them) home from vet. She spent the day there - slowly medicating her so they could do x-rays and take blood. The vet didn't want to stress her too much. The x-rays look good - of course I don't remember anything she told/showed me other than everything looked good. Blood is being sent out. She did say she was anemic which worries her. Not sure what is causing the anemia and breathing - she did breathe much better while drugged-up which was interesting.

I expect a call from the vet tomorrow with results - praying it is treatable and that Fish doesn't also end up with whatever Chips has...My daughter would be devastated to lose one of her girls. I think we are going to start looking for a third duck to add (once we know what is causing this) just in case something does happen at some point to one of the girls - poor Fish was a mess every time they took Chips out. Fortunately my daughter and I were there for the last few hours so we could sit with Fish and keep her company so she wasn't too stressed.

@KaleIAm - is what your duck had contagious? Do you know what caused it?

You are a good duck grandma!

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony can give you info on giving meds to a duck

 

[casportpony]

@casportpony can give you info on giving meds to a duck

I did in the OP's other thread.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks !!

 

[Suedan]

She's the same - having trouble giving her the medications from the vet. I'll be happy when it warms back up here tomorrow. They are living in the coop for now since it's cold outside.

Thinking of you! I hope tomorrow warms up for you guys.