Duck has swollen belly - any suggestions???

[Haunted55]

Good News & Bad News on my little Tallullah Belle.

This morning she seemed a lot better on herself, she didn't look as swollen, was stood up and stretching her neck up (seemed like she couldn't stretch up last night)
The dish of water with Epsom Salts was knocked over so I presumed she hadn't drunk much of that. Made some more up for her but she was still stressing this morning and wouldn't drink to start with, so I put her in the sink for a warm epsom salts bath. She did drink some of this but almost immediately snorted out another leech. The leech looked dead as though the salt had worked on it. Good News that the salt worked but bad news that there was one in there, was hoping that they weren't actually inside her. Left her in there for approx. 20 mins and she did keep having big drinks so I've fingers crossed that if there's any more in there the salt has done the same to them.

Her eyes went a little red but think was due to the salt in the water so gave her another soak in fresh water.
Managed to calm her down and watched her drink more epsom salt solution & ate some breakfast.
By then the other ducks were all up, she could her them and started stressing again. She's still a little wobbly on her feet and still keeps falling backwards. So I've let her back out with the others to calm her down and was going to bring her back in tonight and try the salt bath again.
Oh and first poo after the salt bath did look a little like yolk!!

All of the other ducks have had their morning swim and are now on the side of the pond preening themselves. As she keeps falling over when she tries to stand on one foot and scratch with the other, she's stayed in the water but seems to be managing to scratch and preen herself.

Will keep a eye on her throughout the day.

Should I have kept her inside for the day even though she's stressing out - as she's not 100% at the moment didn't want her picking up any more leeches by putting her out but couldn't see her stressing all day??

Isn't it hard to know what to do for the best, (big sigh)

My first thoughts are keep here and the others out of the pond. This is most probably where they are picking up the leeches. I think you should also be checking the other ducks as well and any other fowl who may have had contact with this duck or the water. If you can offer a kiddie pool or some such thing so they can bathe and somehow keep them from the grounds surrounding the pond. Not easy, I'm sure.

Another thing to think about...if this is also a case of peritonitis, an antibiotic may be needed. You will need to watch this bird very carefully to see how she is progressing. If the stomach doesn't go back to normal size soon, I would highly reccoment a dosing of either Sulmet or Di-Methox. Whichever you can get. The Sulmet is a bit more harsh than the Di-Methox, but then so again is the peritonitis. The reason I am suggesting either of these is to kick the infection back and also to kill and purge any remaining leech infestation. If you do need the antibiotic, please follow this up with a good poultry or human probiotic. This should mitigate any stomach upset caused by the drug.

 

[Amiga]

My first thoughts are keep here and the others out of the pond. This is most probably where they are picking up the leeches. I think you should also be checking the other ducks as well and any other fowl who may have had contact with this duck or the water. If you can offer a kiddie pool or some such thing so they can bathe and somehow keep them from the grounds surrounding the pond. Not easy, I'm sure.

Another thing to think about...if this is also a case of peritonitis, an antibiotic may be needed. You will need to watch this bird very carefully to see how she is progressing. If the stomach doesn't go back to normal size soon, I would highly reccoment a dosing of either Sulmet or Di-Methox. Whichever you can get. The Sulmet is a bit more harsh than the Di-Methox, but then so again is the peritonitis. The reason I am suggesting either of these is to kick the infection back and also to kill and purge any remaining leech infestation. If you do need the antibiotic, please follow this up with a good poultry or human probiotic. This should mitigate any stomach upset caused by the drug.

I think this an important possibility to consider. Ducks hide serious illness very well. By the time they show obvious symptoms, I have a sense of urgency, based on prior experience.

 

[Sarah and Joey]

Thanks for all your help,

She's spent most of the day in the pond, she's splashed around & preened herself - although not quite as lively as the others she has looked OK.

When she's come out of the pond and into the pen tonight she's still very wobbly on her feet and easily falls over.
Brought her back inside, gave her a salt bath - no signs of any more leeches anywhere.
She seemed pretty calm to start with, as though she remembered where she was and that it was safe but then she's started stressing a little bit again. Turned the lights off in there to help her settle down. Put warm towels down but she won't settle on them, seems to be standing up a lot. She keeps standing up straight as if she's trying to push something out but then falls backwards, but soon jumps up so think her underneath may be in pain when she sits down.
Seems to be pooing normal, can hear her eating and drinking but only takes a small bit of food at a time.

 

[Sarah and Joey]

Please keep us updated.

Hi just a update for you on my little duck.
I've had her in the vets for 3 days, they've taken blood tests and x-rays and still not 100% sure whats wrong with her.
Seem to think that it's some kind of lead poisoning but just waiting for the blood tests to come back. Got her on medication and some energy formula.
She has shown some signs of improvement this morning, managed to take a few steps without wobbling over and she's had a few nibbles at me today when I've gone near her so fingers crossed she's on the road to recovery!!
Will keep you posted with any change in her and when we get the results xxx

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi just a update for you on my little duck.
I've had her in the vets for 3 days, they've taken blood tests and x-rays and still not 100% sure whats wrong with her.
Seem to think that it's some kind of lead poisoning but just waiting for the blood tests to come back. Got her on medication and some energy formula.
She has shown some signs of improvement this morning, managed to take a few steps without wobbling over and she's had a few nibbles at me today when I've gone near her so fingers crossed she's on the road to recovery!!
Will keep you posted with any change in her and when we get the results xxx

What a wonderful mama you are to have taken her in, Not many of us can afford that luxury. Great to hear your seeing some signs of improvement Please let us know about the results.

 

[Sarah and Joey]

Sssshhhh, I'm hiding the vet bills at the mo!!
Daren't tell my boyfriend how much its costing - the vet assures me that if it is lead poisoning then it's totally curable, so the money spent will be worth it, fingers crossed

 

[Amiga]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. We all learn from each other. I have not read much about lead poisoning on the forum. I do remember, years ago, someone whose duck - a muscovy, I think - had surgery to remove two or three coins from her stomach. Since today's coins contain so much zinc, they were poisoning her.

So anything we can learn about dealing with lead or other metal poisoning, I would be all ears.

 

[Haunted55]

For giggles...can you get an apple and mash it up for her to eat? Apples are one food that will clear metals from the body.

 

[Sarah and Joey]

The X-ray showed that there weren't any metal objects in her little body, vet thinks it maybe some toxic in the pond! To test specifically for lead costs more money, given lots of vitamins & antibiotics and seeing small improvements so gonna give her a couple more days and see how she is!! My ducks must b fussy eaters as I've tried the apple & they wouldn't touch it!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

The X-ray showed that there weren't any metal objects in her little body, vet thinks it maybe some toxic in the pond! To test specifically for lead costs more money, given lots of vitamins & antibiotics and seeing small improvements so gonna give her a couple more days and see how she is!! My ducks must b fussy eaters as I've tried the apple & they wouldn't touch it!!

Is this a man made pond or natural pond? I glad to hear your seeing some improvements. Thanks for updating.