Can't bring up the pics, I have never heard of leeches being on ducks, I'd think with all the preening and bathing they do it wouldn't be something they would have to deal with, guess I was wrong. Now I talked with another BYC member and she thinks it may be a good idea to do a purge on your duck in case there could be some internal she recc. 3 teas. of Epsom salt to 1.5 cups of warm water mixing real good to dissolve the salt. do this tonight if possible if not start her in the morning 1x morning and then again tomorrow afternoon. which means you'll have to isolate her from her flock for the day. Do it just these 2X and hopefully if there are any eggs or leeches inside the salt will kill them and she'll pass them out of her body. similar to how salt will dissolve slugs. If you don't feel comfortable doing this then I'd contact a vet and tell them what you found and how she is looking and acting. in the meantime I will research and see if there is any disease water fowl can catch from leeches. I'm sorry no one has gotten back with you but it being Thanksgiving we've all be pretty busy.
Thank you for keeping us updated and hoping you see complete recovery.Thanks again,
I've Epsom Salts in my animal emergency cupboard so will try her with some of these tonight.
I'll do some more googling & keep you posted
She looks like Pekin?? How does she look are her eyes clear and bright? Okay looked up Aylsbury duck and see she is one, I thought they had some coloring on them for some reason.
It's very hard to know what to do, sorry to say. and to know if this is leech caused or and egg has broken inside of her is very hard too. the only thing about having her in is being able to keep watch on her poo to see what color and to make sure she is eating and drinking. But stress from being separated from her family is difficult on them also, but watch her close in the water if she is un balanced she could drown. So this pond is where the leeches are I am guessing? and if she looks like she is going down hill, then get her back inside to stabilize her and maybe consider bringing in one of her sisters for support, yep messy but may help to keep her going.
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.
