Duck hysterectomy

[jevans1]

Is she eating and drinking?

Thank you for your response. She is eating and drinking and she pooped in the tub tonight so I brought her back outside. I have contacted a vet that (word of mouth) sees ducks. It is crazy how hard it is to find an avian vet.

 

[Jpat]

My duck ended up having a C-section because her egg ended up being stuck inside of her uterus and then another egg pressed against her bowls and another free floating in her abdomen. She's supposed to get a lupron injection, which is the one that stops their laying hormones, and then have a hysterectomy a week later. However, they are waiting for the order of lupron to come in and it has been several weeks and she still hasn't laid an egg. The C-section costed $1,100 because it was such a long surgery and then she needed antibiotics and pain meds for a week. They told me the hysterectomy would cost around $800-1000. Since yours is laying drippy eggs they might try something else or just do a hysterectomy. If you have the means to, I would definitely suggest a vet visit. My duck is doing amazing now, we were very lucky, so I hope yours ends up being okay too. Is she eating and drinking?

$$$$

 

[Kkrista123]

Yes, I have done some research! I have an indoor pet duck so she gets a lot of attention and pets. The concern is that she heads into mating position when her back is being pet because she's aroused. This is what leads up to going egg bound. If her reproductive needs aren't satisfied, she will go egg bound.

I have learned a few good things to do. The very first and most important is prevention. This includes, take it so easy on the back pets and if she's in mating position then stand her up or walk away. The next good thing to have on hand is a great link from Metzer. I keep this link bookmarked on my web browser.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/EggBound.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=23327665
Like in your case, the duck just ended up egg bound naturally and it is too late for prevention. This is when I would go through many steps to try to get the egg out. There's many different methods and try them all because you never know what will work for your duck. Here's some idea's and info but always research to see what has worked for different people.
https://www.shagbarkbantams.com/egg-binding/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/
http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/egg-binding

If egg is passed, I would consider lupron shots. If egg won't pass, I would consider hysterectomy.

Of everything I learned, there is no easy option and the best possible option should be discussed with the vet. It really depends on breed, age and vitals. The lupron is expensive long term and the hysterectomy is expensive short term.

I wish you very good luck, please do keep us updated. This is a subject I would love to learn more on!

 

[sweaterpaws]

Thank you for your response. She is eating and drinking and she pooped in the tub tonight so I brought her back outside. I have contacted a vet that (word of mouth) sees ducks. It is crazy how hard it is to find an avian vet.

Hopefully since she's still eating, drinking, and pooping you'll be able to get her in and she will be okay. I am very lucky, there is an avian vet about 30 minutes from me with lots of experience so I've been taking her there. It's so unfortunate how many of these girls have egg problems. Good luck to you and your duck and keep us updated!!

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Following! Although I haven’t had this procedure done, I did research bird hysterectomies last fall when Daphne had severe reproductive issues, but decided against it as an option due to the high risk of anesthetic complications. Birds in general like to try to die while under anesthesia, and unless one finds a DVM that specializes in Avian surgery... well, it’s a chancy business. I do like to hear about successful surgeries though!

 

[jevans1]

Yes, I have done some research! I have an indoor pet duck so she gets a lot of attention and pets. The concern is that she heads into mating position when her back is being pet because she's aroused. This is what leads up to going egg bound. If her reproductive needs aren't satisfied, she will go egg bound.

I have learned a few good things to do. The very first and most important is prevention. This includes, take it so easy on the back pets and if she's in mating position then stand her up or walk away. The next good thing to have on hand is a great link from Metzer. I keep this link bookmarked on my web browser.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/EggBound.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=23327665
Like in your case, the duck just ended up egg bound naturally and it is too late for prevention. This is when I would go through many steps to try to get the egg out. There's many different methods and try them all because you never know what will work for your duck. Here's some idea's and info but always research to see what has worked for different people.
https://www.shagbarkbantams.com/egg-binding/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/
http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/egg-binding

If egg is passed, I would consider lupron shots. If egg won't pass, I would consider hysterectomy.

Of everything I learned, there is no easy option and the best possible option should be discussed with the vet. It really depends on breed, age and vitals. The lupron is expensive long term and the hysterectomy is expensive short term.

I wish you very good luck, please do keep us updated. This is a subject I would love to learn more on!

 

[jevans1]

Thank you everyone. This is all very wonderful information. I found an avian vet who lives an hour away, however, he is on vacation until May 7th. A woman in the office who works with him says she will see Fern, so I have an appointment on Monday. I have printed all of these conversations and links and have highlighted areas for discussion. I will post an update as soon as I have one. Thank you again for being such a respectful and wonderful community to gather honest and real feedback from. I am so grateful this forum exists.

 

[northernlivie]

Sometimes switching to layer ration remediates the issue with a duck becoming egg bound. I had a black swedish who had problems becoming egg bound. Her body was not receiving enough vitamin d or calcium even though I had oyster shell mixed in with the feed. Her body was stealing the vitamins from her bones which would leave her incapacitated.

When I would find her that way I would place her in the bathtub and hold a container of water with crushed up vitamin c, d and b in it. Then leave her and the container overnight. In the morning she would be back to herself and have passed the egg.
After a vet consult, he suggested the layer ration, she never had problems again.
I guess the hormone implant is the cheapest option for ducks experiencing egg bound issues chronically with no relief. At least that I have heard. And it is much less evasive than a hysterectomy.
On instagram there is a vagan lady who gets implants for her two ducks Dusty and Otter. I am unsure of their history of laying problems but from what I have read it seems to help her ducks.

 

[jevans1]

Sometimes switching to layer ration remediates the issue with a duck becoming egg bound. I
When I would find her that way I would place her in the bathtub and hold a container of water with crushed up vitamin c, d and b in it. Then leave her and the container overnight. In the morning she would be back to herself and have passed the egg.
After a vet consult, he suggested the layer ration, she never had problems again.
.

Thanks for this! Just so I am understanding your recommendation properly. This is all you would allow her to eat for the evening? I have been crushing up calcium pills and injecting them down her throat every night with a syringe...and so I hope something is getting absorbed. However, I don't know how much I should be giving her etc... What were your ratios for these vitamins and were you using human pills and crushing them up or soft gels? Thank you for this. It is something I can do straight away so I am moving in a positive direction.

 

[northernlivie]

Yes! I switched to an organic layer ration for feed only.
The pills were human ones I always have in the cupboard. I opened a vitamin B capsule and dumped it into a tupperware, crushed half a chewable vit C and a chewable vit D and dumped that into the tupperware as well. Then filled the tupperware with water.
My duck's head was flopped to the side and her legs stuck out behind her. So I had to assist her to get some mouthfuls of the vitamin water and then I placed it near her for overnight.
She was in my dry bathtub in the spare washroom. To ensure she was supported underneath I placed a towel, folded in half down first and then used two more to make a doughnut shape. Like a nest. Then placed her down. This will help support them so they don't get sore from not being able to move much.
Be prepared for some stinky poo! That is why I recommend either a spare tub or shower stall because it makes it easier to clean after. You can alternatively put down pee pads for dogs in the entire bathtub or shower stall and then put the towel and nest in.